I’m quite sure that there is (at least some) truth in this. I’ve been travelling in Italy for a month now. Around and below Napoli, there is something which I cannot grasp, which seemed very calming. It’s slower somehow, and way more enjoyable, than north Italy. Even parts of north Italy which are very “chill”, and where “nothing really happens”. One for sure: south Italy lifestyle is definitely closer to slow living than any “slow living” part of the north. Even Napoli on some level.