From mastering key Italian exclamations to taking part in St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Italy, our weekly newsletter La Bella Vita offers you an essential starting point for eating, talking, drinking and living like an Italian.
La Bella Vita is our regular look at the real culture of Italy – from language to cuisine, manners to art. This newsletter is published weekly and you can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to newsletter preferences in ‘My Account’ or following the instructions in the newsletter box below.
Italian cuisine isn’t typically known for its spicy flavours, though there are a few exceptions.
One of Calabria’s most famous exports is ‘nduja – a fiery, spreadable sausage made with Calabrian hot peppers.
Another spicy dish is Lazio’s pasta all’arrabbiata, which features a simple yet bold sauce consisting of tomatoes, garlic, parsley, olive oil and chilli flakes.
All in all though, strong flavours are rare in Italian cuisine, and international restaurants serving spicy foods from other cultures are also few and far between.
So what lies behind Italians’ apparent aversion to piatti piccanti?
Do Italians really hate all spicy food?
Whether you live in Italy or visit regularly, if you’re looking to blend in with locals, mastering common Italian exclamations is a great place to start.
Italians are known for their expressive nature and their ability to communicate their emotions clearly, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
From basta and mannaggia to evvai and che palle, we rounded up eight essential phrases that will have you exclaiming like a native speaker in no time.
8 Italian exclamations that will make you sound like a local
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Monday, March 17th will mark St Patrick’s Day, which honours Ireland’s patron saint and, more broadly, Irish culture and heritage all around the world.
Generally speaking, celebrations won’t be as widespread in Italy as in some other countries, but most major cities will still offer a number of Paddy’s Day-themed events on Monday or, in some cases, even in the days leading up to it.
From Rome and Milan to Florence and Genoa, here’s where you can celebrate la festa di San Patrizio in Italy this year.
Where to celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2025 in Italy
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