Meet Travel Journalist, Lucrezia Worthington
Meet Travel Journalist, Lucrezia Worthington
Be inspired by her approach to slow travel around Italy
It doesn’t take much for me to feel nostalgic for Italy. Despite visiting multiple times a year since my foray into travel writing, I still always want more. Especially when I’m scrolling through social and see Lucrezia Worthington sipping espresso on a balcony above the Amalfi Coast or frolicking in the wheat fields of Sicily.
The nostalgia swells as I flick to The Italy Insider, the magazine co-founded by Lucrezia that’s dedicated to the art of conscious, sustainable and mindful travel in Italy.
I met Lucrezia while twirling pasta pomodoro at Il Borro in Tuscany. We’d both traveled there for harvest but the thunderstorms dampened our plans; we made up for it with carbs and conversation.
I became enamored with her nomadic lifestyle around Italy, a path she felt was her destiny being half English-half Italian and having taken her first flight at three weeks old.
“I have always felt as though the travel industry was my calling. Throughout school, I never felt as though I fit in any ‘category’; I loved to get creative but I was never good at art, I loved to write but I was never good at English Literature,” she shares.
After an internship at Condé Nast Traveller, she began to explore the world of journalism. The following year, she lived in Bali and that’s when she says, “I was thrown into this incredible vortex of creatives; it’s somewhere I felt that I truly belonged and it’s where I evolved into what I am now.”
Lucrezia went on to co-found The Italy Insider, growing their account to over 200,000 followers, all while managing her personal social media, reaching over 180,000 followers and counting. She credits these accomplishments as career milestones on par with writing her first article for CNT. Now, she wears many hats (writer, editor, content creator) as she explores Italy, evoking what it means to be a slow traveler in a hurried world running at expeditious speeds. Each post is symbolic — not just a “look at me here” but rather a reminder of her conscious crossings through each destination.
Below, Lucrezia shares more about the concept of slow travel, how she embraces the leisure life of Italy and some of her favorite (overlooked) destinations around the country. I hope she’ll inspire you to champion this style of travel.
As an advocate for slow travel, what does the term and ensuing lifestyle mean to you?
In a world where most of us are reigned by social media, it’s important to take a step back when traveling and immerse oneself fully — because at the end of the day, you’re traveling for you, not for anyone else.
Slow Travel, in my eyes, means to take a step back and appreciate the place to the fullest. Taking time in the morning to be present in your surroundings, savor the local cuisine, embrace the local cultures and integrate with the locals whilst being completely respectful of the destination. Tourism nowadays is taking a toll, in that many destinations are saturated while others, equally fascinating, are disregarded. Our mission is to try to equally distribute tourism rather than shine the spotlight on the already done and dusted destinations.
Do you have any tips that travelers can follow that will help them slow down during their sojourns?
I think trying to maintain your routine whilst traveling, especially if you travel frequently, is important. Even if that means taking 5 or 10 minutes out of your morning to meditate, journal, or simply sitting with your own thoughts while sipping your morning coffee, admiring where you are, and realizing how grateful you are to be there.
Are there any apps or technology you use on a trip that permit for smoother travels?
Citymapper is the one—if you’re traveling to a featured destination—it’s a snazzier version of Google Maps.
Having lived in Italy, do you have any tips for first-time tourists to the destination?
Alongside history, cuisine is probably the number one reason as to why we travel to Italy, right? So, finding the right spots that ensure a positive culinary experience is essential. The tip is to never eat in restaurants close to main sights and landmarks, and certainly avoid those restaurants that display detailed replicas of pasta, pizza and mozzarella on little tables outside or have a waiter at the entrance trying to call you in. The rule of thumb is, if the place is good, they certainly don’t need to entice passers by. How to find the good spots? Do your research on reliable sources: digital magazines, blogs, etc.
What is the thing you appreciate most about Italian culture?
The Italian lifestyle. As we say in Roman it’s “Scialla” or relaxed. Come 7 p.m., everyone’s sitting at a bar, chatting away over a spritz or negroni and it’s just a lovely atmosphere.
The thought of having no other place to be than to socialize and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
What are three Italian destinations that you think are seriously underrated?
The Lazio Coastline
The Lazio Coastline, from Sperlonga to Gaeta, Ponza and Palmarola Islands, still remains very much undiscovered to international tourism. But they’re vibrant, with characteristic town centers and lovely, laid-back beaches. Traveling in summer months like June, July or September is best.
La Tuscia
La Tuscia is another underrated destination yet so rich in history, breathtaking landscapes and exquisite cuisine — think a mix of Tuscany, Umbra and Lazio. The jewel is Civita di Bagnoregio, but there’s a lot more to discover, following in the footsteps of the Etruscans. Traveling in spring and autumn is the best time.
Cilento
We’ve all heard of the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Coast, but what about the Cilento coast? Equally fascinating with crystal colored waters and some of the best Mozzarella in Italy. There’s waterfalls, castles, ancient temples, national parks and more. Traveling in summer like June, July and September is best.
Just a lucky fourth: Umbria
Umbria is definitely underrated compared to its neighboring brother Tuscany, yet it’s enchanting. All the characteristic hilltop villages including Todi and Assisi, the wine of Montefalco, truffle in Scheggino, the mesmerizing lentil bloom in Castelluccio di Norcia — honestly, it’s a destination that has so much to offer. Traveling in spring and autumn is the best time.
What's a repeat destination that you enjoy visiting time and time again? What about the destination keeps you coming back for more?
Puglia, by far. It’s somewhere I have traveled at least twice a year since I can remember. It’s a destination that ticks all the boxes: nature, sea, cuisine, lifestyle, landmarks, natural wonders, amazing accommodations, history, culture… the list can go on and on. No matter how many times you go, there will always be something new to discover!
Where can we find you when you're not traveling?
I don’t actually have a fixed base at the moment but when I’m in Rome you’ll catch me at Zem Yoga Studio doing my morning Vinyasa Flow, in Florence you’ll find me purchasing my favorite banana bread at S. Forno, in Milan you’ll see me savoring a glass of Franciacorta at Sutto Wine, in Puglia you’ll catch me on a ceramics haul at Franco Fasano or Enza Fasano Ceramiche (in Grottaglie and in Sorrento I’ll be savoring a delicious dish of Spaghetti alle Vongole at Ristorante La Conca.
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