My name is Gina Mussio. I am a travel writer and teacher living near Milan, Italy. After studying the language for years and then, of course, falling in love with an Italian, I moved here post-college in 2013 and have been happily building a life in Italy ever since. I currently split my time between writing about Italy and teaching in a bilingual elementary school. Both careers are about culture, communication and caring, and more often than not the skills developed in one field work perfectly in the other.
I write about Italian culture, food, expat life and travel in Italy for publications such as Transitions Abroad, The Culture Trip, Columbus Weddings and Matador Network, and I manage the comments and write regular blog posts for Walks of Italy, an Italian tour company.
On top of writing, traveling and teaching I also enjoy reading, running, yoga and a good cup of coffee. One of my favorite things to do, however, is learn more about Italy’s food culture. Italian food, Italian recipes, geopolitical leanings for the hyper-local recipes – I’m into it all!

This blog is a space for me to explore and experiment in my storytelling and writing. It’s for people interested in Italy, food, literature and culture, hopefully with a laugh or two thrown in for good measure.
Italy is a popular destination – nearly 48 million people visit every year – and many come back more than once! Whether you’re planning your first trip, returning for the millionth time and looking for something new or simply dreaming about one day having your own Italian adventure, I’d love to be there. From Italy, With Love isn’t about the top restaurants to eat at or the top sights to see (though that can be covered within some posts). Instead, I’d like to give you a little bit of background about what it is you are seeing. What’s the history? What’s the culture? In a land steeped in history and with micro-cultures that change from town to town, truly understanding the nuances can be a bit complicated for a part-time traveler. Luckily, you have me!

There he is!
I live here and travel like a local, but of course with an American perspective. I regularly head into Milan for aperitivi with friends, but I’ve also done all the tourist things and loved them – climbing to the top of the duomo, seeing the Last Supper, shopping, strolling and sightseeing. My Italian husband and I travel to the major cities – Rome, Florence, Venice, etc – but we also eat out in towns with a population of 20. These aren’t places that a tourist would go, but they give more insight into the area than any big city day trip.
Travel to Italy with an idea of the geography, the history and the food and your trip will be completely different than the Euro-rail waving, wham bam thank you ma’am tourists. Whether you have one day or a month, your trip can still be meaningful. Hopefully my personal experiences, different travels and narrative blog posts can help, even if it doesn’t come in a listicle.
If you’re intrigued but would like more guidance, I’m available for one-on-one trip planning from beginning to end. From flight suggestions, best itineraries, and skip-the-line tickets to all your must-see sights. However, at a fee. It’s impossible to individually answer every readers travel questions, so while I search to write posts that benefit you, if you want more please contact me for my trip planning rates! Sessions can range from simple advice giving to detailed itineraries – whatever you need! The benefit is that each trip will be tailored to your likes and dislikes, your goals for the trip and your long-term Italy dreams.
If you want to work together, ask questions or would like more information about one-on-one travel consultations, contact me at gina.mussio@gmail.com
Good luck with your adventure, I look forward to reading more.
Thank you! It seems you are on quite the adventure yourself! Very interesting!
Yes, it’s nice to read about other people’s challenges too!
Good luck with your adventure! Italy is just incomparable… 😉
Thank you! I wholeheartedly agree! Are you still studying in Italy? Either way I hope your adventure is/was fantastic as well!
Yes! I’m still in Milan, but I’m heading to one of my last weeks of classes. After that, everything is blured and I actually have no plans. Looking forward to staying a bit more! You are in Italy for how many months already?
I’ve been here since February
Good luck on your next page!
Hello my name is Rebbecca and I am from the USA. I am currently in the 8th grade and writing a research a paper on the Freiburg Minster cathedral in Germany. I was wondering if could give some information about what you saw in the cathedral and why unique! It would really be helpful if you replied as soon as possible. Thank you so much and I would like to cite notations on your response if that’s okay with you. Thanks!
Hi Rebecca,
If I’m not too late then that would be fine – please just email me at the address shown in my about me page
Hi Gina! I just found you on Twitter

Next time you come to Portofino to hike, stay with us up on the hill within Portofino Park. I have hiking poles and extra pairs of shorts, heehee
http://www.terrerosseportofino.com
We just opened up an Agri
Ciao, Leah
Thanks for the suggestion and best of luck on the new business! I had a great time in Portofino
Love to see some follow-up stories from you. I’m living abroad as well but on the other side in Korea. Italy looks fantastic and maybe someday I’ll get a visit to one of the many place you’ve written about.
Thanks Duke! What kind of follow-up stories would you like to see? I always appreciate feedback! Korea is great, and I’m sure you’ll get to see Italy someday! 감사합니다 (< that's the power of google translate, though I did learn it as something like gamsahabnida)
I’ll raise you a 만나서 반갑습니다 (nice to meet you). Honestly, the way that I write is similar to what I want. Don’t focus on the same old places and if you do, find a different angle. Look for a small piece of things and expand. Not really sure if you’re looking to go that route but that’s what I like to read. Anyway, best of luck to you. Will be on the lookout for your stuff. Hope you take the time to stop by mine as well.
ha great! I’ve read some – I’ll be sure to follow!
So excited I found your blog! My boyfriend and I are traveling to Italy this coming October from California and it’s great to get some points of view!
That’s great! It’s a great time of year to visit Italy – I’m sure you’ll have a blast! Glad I could help
Hello Gina! I’ve been reading you from my office desk since your first feature on MatadorNetwork. I find your stories very interesting, as I am a girl living aborad myself, with the difference that I have moved out of Italy. It’s extremely nice to see how passionate someone from abroad can be for my country, and I enjoy how this passion shows through in your blog.
Buona fortuna!
That’s so great to hear Eva! Grazie mille
I’m sure you know, living abroad isn’t always easy/great, but it’s best to focus on the good things, and Italy has more than enough to share! I’m excited to read through your blog as well!
Living every day like a travel day is living a good life. I also think that travel is a state of mind.
Agreed! Staying curious is staying happy
Hi Gina. It seems that you like my Country
. I’m a CS and if you want I’ll be glad to show you another little piece of Italy. Ciao. Riccardo. https://www.couchsurfing.com/users/1137037/references
Lovely blog, it’s great and pretty hilarious
My Italian husband (from Puglia) and I are planning to move near Milan soon (from Brussels, BE, knowing that I’m a Frenchwoman from Bordeaux… Life!), so I really appreciate all your tips and recommendations and I’ll make very good use of it!
Cheers
Marine
Thank you Marinette, I have a lot of fun writing it! Though Puglia to Milan is a big transition, it looks like you have a lot of experiences with big transitions!
Hope to hear from you more on other blog posts and good luck on your move.
My first trip to Italy was in the early 1970’s when my husband was a surgeon on an aircraft carrier. We bought a fiat and, with 2 toddlers, I follwed his ship along the Mediterranean from Spain to Greece. I love your off the beaten path articles. Have you written one about the coastal towns south of Bari in the Puglia region?
Wow, that sounds like quite the adventure! I’m sure it was well worth the effort though. I haven’t written about Puglia at all yet. Unfortunately I’ve never been there, and I try to write only about destinations I’ve personally been to! It’s on my list though!
Beautiful article Gina. I love travelling. Your article is a great ispiration. All’ the best.
Please let us know your rates for trip suggestions & planning.
Thanks!
Hi Susan,
Email me at gina.mussio@gmail.com for more information!
What a delight reading your exchange with Quest a Dolce Vita then finding your blog. I hope you and your family are safe near Milan. We’re in Torino and able to breathe a little easier each day.
Thanks Brandy! Since you’ve written this comment we’ve both been in and out of lockdown, unfortunately. I’m just looking forward to some more freedom as soon as we’re able!