About Me

Florida PhotoMy name is Anthony Barbuto, and like millions of people worldwide, I am an Italian Enthusiast.  Born and raised in New Jersey, my great grandparents on both my mother’s and father’s side were born in the Italian regions of Campania, Puglia and Sicilia.  They came to the United States for opportunity, and three generations later, I am replanting our roots in Italy, so that my children can grow up with Italian culture.

The quest to establish a presence in Italy, even part-time, is not easy for a workingman in the United States.  Aside from the pressures of a full-time job, Italy is in reality a foreign country to me, with different cultures and unfamiliar territories.  Italians live differently than Americans.  But living differently is not just about eating better food, or drinking better coffee.  The mentality is different.  The economy is different.  Italy has different legal, medical and educational systems.  Priorities, superstitions, prejudices, tastes, interests, habits, and routines – are all different.  How then, realistically, can a busy American workingman truly immerse himself in Italian culture?  In an information technology society where videoconferencing is becoming the norm, anything is possible.  This blog is dedicated to outlining my progress and inspiring other Italian Enthusiasts to explore Italy more than once (a lot more).  Through this blog I will share the knowledge and stories I’ve accumulated along the way in the areas of general Italian lifestyle, men’s fashion, travel, culture, food, language, etc.  My goal through this blog is to share my knowledge of authentic Italian culture to other Italian Enthusiasts, and to build a network of like-minded lovers of Italy.

Since embarking on my journey to Italy in 2012, I’ve accomplished a lot.  I learned basic Italian, developed a network of friends throughout Italy, became acquainted with fifteen regions of Italy along with the cultures and traditions of each, enhanced my knowledge and appreciation for fashion, the culinary arts and Italian cinema, and met my wife in Italy, where I later got married in Italy in a 13th century Catholic church.  My wife and I now speak regularly in Italian to our two children, Leonardo and Sofia, who have both also embraced Italian culture, even as toddlers!  It has been a remarkable journey, and one that will continue to grow.

My stories and experiences are useful to all Italian Enthusiasts.  Whether you have an interest in traveling to Italy for the first time, or would like to learn the language, or would like to discover Italy’s hidden gems, or even figure out a way to spend more time in Italy in the future, my blog can help you, and at the very least, teach you a thing or two about la dolce vita.

Since starting my blog, I am also very active on Facebook and Instagram, where I am known as @ItalianEnthusiast.  I’ve also expended my social media presence onto TikTok, where I am known as @TheLawyer, and YouTube, where I vlog about Italian culture under the name Italian Enthusiast, and also vlog with my family under the name The Barbuto Family.

Welcome to my blog.  Benvenuti nel mio blog.