Episode 3

S2: EP 3 Savoring Italy's Culinary Charm – A Veggie, Vegan, and Celiac Guide for Gastronomic Bliss!

Hey there, dreamers and foodies! It's your host, Samantha Wilson, back with another episode of "A New Life in Italy."

This week, we're diving into a topic that's close to my heart (and stomach) – living with dietary restrictions in Italy. As a reluctant vegetarian myself, I get the struggle of drooling over dishes you can't indulge in. But fear not, my fellow food-sensitive friends, Italy's culinary scene has got us covered!

In this episode, I share my personal journey of giving up meat due to health issues and how I navigate the tantalizing trattorias of Tuscany. I reminisce about the mouthwateringBistecca alla fiorentina and the grilled chicken that haunts my vegetarian dreams. But it's not all about what I can't eat – I also rave about the seasonal delights like wild asparagus that make Italian cuisine a veggie lover's paradise.

We then explore how Italy caters to various dietary needs, whether you're vegetarian, vegan, celiac, or have other food restrictions. I bring in the expertise of Catalin Varela, a gluten-free travel consultant and the voice behind "Celiac in Italy." She shares her insights on living with celiac disease in the land of pasta and pizza, and how Italy is surprisingly accommodating.

Catalin and I discuss the importance of food in Italian culture and how it's about sharing and connecting. She offers tips on finding gluten-free options, from certified restaurants to specialized grocery stores. Plus, she talks about her services that help celiacs navigate Italian cuisine without missing out on the experience.

To wrap things up, I answer some of your burning questions about moving to Italy. From finding trustworthy contractors in Arezzo to the reality behind those one-euro homes and relocation incentives, I've got the scoop to help you make informed decisions.

So, whether you're planning a move or just dreaming of Italian feasts, tune in to this episode for a hearty serving of advice and anecdotes. And remember, dietary restrictions don't have to limit your love for Italian food – they might just introduce you to new favorites!

Until next time, keep dreaming and savoring every bite of life, no matter what's on your plate. Ciao for now!

Visit me at Smart Move Italy

Follow me on Instagram

My Guest This Week:

Catalin Varela Website

Celiacs in Italy Instagram

Rate, Review, & Follow

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move toward their new life in Italy and live the life they deserve.

To rate, click here, scroll to the top, tap REVIEW with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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If you want to learn more about ways that my team and I can help you live your dream life in Italy, visit us at www.smartmoveitaly.com or send me an email! 

Until next time! 

Ci vediamo!

Mentioned in this episode:

Sentire Media Website

Sentire Media Website

About the Podcast

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A New Life in Italy
Live longer. Spend less. Smile more.

About your hosts

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Samantha Wilson

For those who know me and those whom I have had the honor to help move to Italy, you know that I am obsessed with taking complex things and boiling them down into small, actionable, easy-to-do steps.

I am a bit of a freak about it and can’t remember when I wasn’t the “problem solver – solution seeker” in the confused crowd.

My dad used to say I was just stubborn or unwilling to accept “you can’t do that” for an answer. Still, I always believed that if you can look at a problem from every angle, break it down, and have the support and knowledge to move through and over the barriers, anything is possible.

Now, in my new life in Italy, I use my obsession with planning and finding solutions to help people from all over the world successfully move to Italy, whether to live part-time or full-time, with less stress and mistakes.

I am considered one of the top relocation experts in Italy and am the founder and Chief Dream Maker at Smart Move Italy (www.smartmoveitaly.com) where my team of experts and I work tirelessly to help smooth the pathway to a new life in Italy- and I hope that we can help you too.
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London Niro

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Ali Frothingham