July 9, 2015

Italy

Italy was an incredible experience. It is so hard for me to find the words to describe its beauty. Strolling around the streets in this dream place filled my soul. We indulged in decadent desserts (tiramisu, cannoli, and gelato!), wine, and lots of pasta, cheese, and pizza! Admiring the art and architecture that I learned about in college was such an awesome experience. Seeing these works of art in real life is far more beautiful than the textbooks portray. Art that has been around for centuries captivates me.

I’ll start with Florence. A stunning city full of beautiful people. It was actually fashion week when we visited, so I’m putting emphasis on the beautiful people part. The thing I loved most about Florence was how hundreds of people sat on the bridges to watch the sunset each afternoon. It really made me slow down and appreciate the beauty around me. No timelines, no to-do lists, just living in the moment. It doesn’t get dark until after 9pm, so our days were long and full of exploration. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore was an incredible view! I can now say a part of my heart is in Florence. A magical place that I will visit again and again.

The rolling hills of Tuscany look like a scene straight out of a story book. My favorite part of the trip was driving all day in a rental car with no set destination. We followed the winding roads and soaked up the beauty around us. While driving through Tuscany, we visited San Gimignano, Pisa, and Siena. We also drove until we reached the coast where no one spoke a bit of English. Amongst the locals, we enjoyed gelato on the beach.

Venice was an absolute dream. It is hard to imagine a part of the world could be this beautiful. As we arrived by boat, my jaw dropped in awe. Magnificent arches, gondolas, and incredible architecture surrounded us. My favorite moment was our last night in Venice. We took a boat to the quiet side of the city to have a sunset dinner on the water. As we explored a local neighborhood, we heard Italian women’s voices drifting through the windows as they cooked dinner. Their laundry hung between the buildings. My heart felt at peace, and I then realized THIS is what travel is all about–discovering other ways of life.