More and more Americans are visiting Italy not to see the sites of ancient Rome but to taste the delights of the rest of the country, according to a new survey. Not only are long waits under the hot summer sun to get into sites such as the Colosseum turning visitors away, but the attractions of good wine, pasta and Parmesan cheese are drawing people to other, lesser-known destinations.
A little over a quarter of those surveyed said they were choosing alternative locations because they wanted to get to know Italian cuisine better. Another 21 percent said it was much more relaxing to be in the countryside eating wholesome Italian food after leaving stressful jobs and unhealthy diets in the United States.
And 17 percent said they were following in the footsteps of their Hollywood heroes. For years, Hollywood stars have enjoyed low-key vacations at quiet but luxurious villas in rural Italy, and it appears the trend is rubbing off on Americans. Americans are realizing that the Mediterranean diet is the best way to stay in shape and that courses in Italian cooking are better for handling stress than visiting a psychologist,* a statement accompanying the survey said.
根据新近的一项调查结果，越来越多的美国人去意大利不是为了参观古罗马遗址，而是为了品尝这个国家其他地方的美食。一方面，参观圆形大剧场之类的地方往往需要在炎炎夏日排队苦等，这让游客们望而却步；另一方面，美酒、面点和帕尔马干酪也吸引人们去往其他一些不太出名的地方。1/4强的受访者说他们选择其他旅游点是为了更好体验意大利的烹调风味。另有21%的人认为抛开紧张的工作和不健康的美国食谱，在乡间品味有益健康的意大利食品实在是一件十分惬意的事情。还有17%的人则说他们是在追随好莱坞英雄们的脚步。好莱坞的明星们一直以来都喜欢在意大利乡间安静而豪华的别墅里享受低调的假期，看来这一时尚已经对美国人产生了影响。调查随附的一份声明中说："美国人已经认识到地中海地区的饮食是保持体形的最好办法，而去上意式烹饪课程比看心理医生更能缓解压力。"
Remarks：旅游真谛只在轻松愉快的心境，是玩出好心情还是吃出好心情并不重要。