La Dolce Vita: Healthy travels and hidden gems in Italy
Europe had been calling my name with its irresistible charm, mindful lifestyle, and eco-friendly vibes. So, last month, my family and I packed our bags and set off for an unforgettable adventure!
Travel Healthy and Happy
Traveling is fun, broadens our horizons, and is great for the soul, but many think it means unhealthy eating and the dreaded vacation bloat/weight gain. I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be that way! With a little planning, you can come back from your trip looking and feeling fantastic. By popular demand, here’s my guide to keeping your travels healthy, with tips, must-visit spots, and amazing eats from our Italian escapade in Sicily and Rome.
As usual, we paid for our trip - none of the places mentioned sponsored or comped our stay.
Sicily - a slice of paradise
We flew into Catania, Sicily, and spent a week on this beautiful and historic island..
Organic farmhouse - Masseria della Volpe
Nestled in the serene Val di Noto, Masseria della Volpe is a hidden gem and I feel like I lived my future dream here for a few days 🤩.
“Masseria” means a large farmhouse complex and these days, Masseria usually means a farmhouse ‘resort’. The property is fairly new (built in 2016 I believe), and has views of the countryside, beautifully restored rooms, abundant flowers everywhere, and a large, calming swimming pool which we spent our afternoons.
But what makes this Masseria special is its sustainability efforts.
The entire property is run on solar power, and their water is also heated via solar. They really care about their land and soil quality, knowing that healthy food must start with healthy soil.
Organic fruit trees (lemons, oranges, olives, figs, mangoes, and more) cover most of the property and you can get lost amongst them. In addition, there is an organic vegetable garden with abundant vegetables like tomatoes, onion, zucchini, lettuce, kale, eggplant, peppers, celery, and more.
We stayed in a charming apartment with a well-equipped kitchen and were encouraged to pick the fruits and vegetables they grew for consumption.
Let me tell you, there is nothing more joyous than picking organically grown food and eating it right away - I can still taste the crispness of the lettuce, and the juicy/sweetness of the citrus, a stark contrast to supermarket produce in the US which is usually picked weeks ahead while still unripe and pales in taste (and I’ll bet, nutritional) profile.
Imagine starting every morning with the sweetest, most fragrant orange juice made from oranges we picked from the trees minutes before - I’m drooling just writing about it.
The Masseria also makes its own organic olive oil and other foods - needless to say, I bought some of their delicious olive oils to bring back to the States.
We also ate out quite a few times, and the restaurants my husband picked were an eclectic bunch but all of them better than most Italian restaurants in the U.S.
Memorable Restaurants in Val di Noto:
An upscale Sicilian restaurant in a flower-filled courtyard. The setting and the food were equally divine - plant-based and gluten-free options available.
Kapuhala Sicily is an eco- and sustainability-conscious farm stay that offers farm-to-table vegetarian/vegan dining and biodynamic Sicilian wines. There’s yoga and a pool overlooking the countryside. Dinner is a set 4-course vegetarian/vegan feast. You don’t have to stay there to eat there. I was impressed by the passion and mission the founder has, and the majority of her meals are made from organically grown produce from her property. Their 4 course set meal was a feast for the senses.
Taormina: Where Magic Happens
Next, we headed to Taormina, famed for its White Lotus filming spots. We stayed at the cozy B&B La Villa, with its own resident horses (which my kids had endless fun feeding), cute cats, dogs, ducks, surrounded by a huge lemon orchard with breathtaking views of Mount Etna. Taormina’s charming cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and stunning sea views made it a highlight.
Memorable restaurants in Taormina:
Tucked away on a charming side street, this spot offers elevated Sicilian cuisine cooked to perfection.
If you want a meal with a view, this restaurant won’t disappoint. Be sure to book ahead for the best table, and if you eat gluten, their pizza is divine.
La Napoletana (Best Gluten-free Pizza I’ve had to date🍕)
If you are gluten free and miss a good pizza, you are in luck! They make very good Neapolitan pizza and this is the best gluten-free pizza we’ve had anywhere.
Natural winery with views of Mt. Etna, an enthusiastic tour by our guide who explained how they grew grapes with no pesticides, how the wine is naturally produced with no added yeast. The wines tasted great too and are so much more affordable than natural wines in California. You can eat lunch here as well.
Rome: Eternal City, Eternal Love
After Sicily, Rome stole my heart.
Walking its historic streets, I was in awe of the ancient ruins and vibrant energy. Vespas zooming by, lively conversations, and delicious food at every turn.
The spectacular ancient buildings and ruins, like the Pantheon, Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel, reminded me of just how boundless human potential can be. These engineering and mathematical masterpieces were constructed long before modern technology and knowledge, yet they still tower over us in all their glory to this day.
And the best part for me?
The Nasone water fountains all over Rome, offering free, fresh spring water. Thanks to ancient Romans who built aqueducts that carried fresh spring water from nearby mountains, (again, another engineering genius). Each Nasone had a QR code on it which took me to the AceaWaidyWOW app where I could check the water quality of each fountain—how cool is that? And yes they even tested for BPA and PFAs (see a sample report below).
Europe is WAY ahead of the curve in sustainability and seems to care much more about the health of its residents!
I was thrilled at the idea of refilling my water bottles with tested spring water, avoiding the need to buy plastic bottled water.
Studies have found that plastic bottled water can contain millions of microplastic particles per liter, not to mention other chemicals like phthalates that can leach into the water you are drinking. While it's not possible to avoid plastic bottled water entirely when traveling—I drank from plastic bottles on many occasions—I don’t let this stress me out. Since I drink filtered water 80% of the time, my body's natural detox organs can handle the occasional exposure to these contaminants while I’m traveling.
I have yet to find a travel water filter bottle and pitcher I am 100% happy with, but this one (code:platefulhealth) is a better option I am currently using (P.S. I use their glass bottles, not the plastic, of course. They also sell systems that attach to your existing water bottles like Hydroflask).
Roman Culinary Highlights
da Cesare al Pellegrino: A small, hidden gem with amazing Roman cuisine and friendly service. A new favorite!
Pizza in Trevi: Right by the Trevi Fountain, this spot serves incredible gluten-free pizza with top-notch ingredients. They are AiC certified i.e. safe for those with Celiac.
Rimessa Roscioli: Part of the Roscioli family’s food empire, offering unforgettable pasta and more. Don’t miss their bakery, Antico Forno Roscioli (NOT gluten-free).
Celiachiamo Lab: A gluten-free paradise with delicious deli options. A must-visit for gluten-free foodies. Look at the gluten free pasta options on offer here!
Gelateria Fatamorgana: plenty of vegan flavors and the entire gelateria is 100% gluten-free. Yes, gluten-free cones! You will need this pit stop after walking in the stifling heat in Rome, especially with kids.
If you are a foodie, the Mercato Trionfole is a MUST-visit delight: A bustling local market frequented by locals, with the freshest, tastiest produce. Perfect for foodies to explore and indulge.
Key takeaways from this trip
It’s crystal clear to me why two of the world’s Blue Zones (the longest-living humans) are in the Mediterranean .
The Mediterranean diet and lifestyle were evident everywhere, in particular:
Pace of Life: The pace of life is slower and more mindful—they focus on enjoying and appreciating what they have instead of always rushing to the next thing. For example, meals are made to order and a lot slower than in the US.
Walking: People WALK A LOT. I saw elderly Italians walking up steep hills carrying food they picked up at local markets—IMPRESSIVE and no gym memberships needed—they are inadvertently strength and cardio-training for longevity!
Food: Food is so different compared to the US. They focus first and foremost on in-season, fresh ingredients, grown with love and intention. The cooking method is simple and elevates the natural flavors bursting out of the produce. They ate their meals slowly and with so much joy and appreciation.
Alcohol: Although alcohol, especially wine, is consumed, it is usually just a glass or two as part of a meal, with social interactions being the centerpiece. A large percentage of the wines are organic (not necessarily certified), biodynamic, or natural. By the way, ‘natural’ wine is literally the way how wine was traditionally made before the giants in the wine industry introduced commercially available yeast to enhance certain flavors.
Social Interactions: After meals, families and friends would gather at piazzas to walk, talk, and there were NO PHONES in sight! They were fully present and enjoyed each other’s company.
A Bittersweet Ending and My Must-Have Travel Essentials
Our trip was incredible but it wasn't all roses. My husband sprained his ankle and my daughter unfortunately got food poisoning. Thankfully, she bounced back within 24 hours and my husband was still able to enjoy the sights, thanks to some travel essentials I always have on hand. I'll share more about these lifesavers next week.
In the meantime, here are TWO things that absolutely saved us:
LUMEBOX (SALE ON right now! Save $280 here!)
LUMEBOX is my wellness Swiss Army Knife. It helps with everything from aches and pains to cuts, bites, and sprains. My husband sprained his ankle during our vacation, and his ankle swelled to the size of the oranges we were picking! LUMEBOX was a lifesaver. It's also great for combatting jet lag. With its 110-240V capability, I can take it anywhere in the world, and just add a local plug adaptor. Lumebox has a 10,400 mAh lithium battery, it is usually okay to be packed in a carry on, but confirm with your airlines before you fly! And always check first if you want to pack it in checked luggage as some airlines don't allow this
Matcha
Matcha is my go-to for beating jet lag with calm energy, protecting my skin from intense UV rays, and bridging the antioxidant gap when my diet isn't the best. I use a high-quality, heavy metal, and pesticide-tested matcha, and you can get 15% off plus a free gift through my affiliate link. P.S. Their Vitamin C and elderberry products are also always my travel essentials for supporting our immune system. I like it because it doesn’t require refrigeration and is individually wrapped for travel convenience.
I will share the rest of my travel supplement routine and other essentials next week!
Stay tuned.