EURO SUMMER: ish?

When my family and I were invited to my uncle’s wedding in Italy this summer, we were ecstatic to be able to go back and experience a new region. The last time my family came to Italy, it was my mom taking care of me when I broke my foot. Safe to say it was not really a relaxing vacation for her. I was so excited to spend time with her in a country I adore, and of course I will take any opportunity to go back. When we decided that we were going to make this a full blown vacation, we knew we had to go back to Rome. My family is Catholic and we felt it was incredibly important for my Nana to experience the Vatican as well as the Holy City in general. Since I had just graduated college, I knew I wanted to have an experience post grad, and that was when my boyfriend Cameron and I decided we would spend a week in Rome together to vacation, and for me to show him where I used to live.

What we did not prepare for was the blistering European heatwave. I thought I knew heat being from Florida, but Europe made Florida feel like you could ski. Hot is an understatement. Nonetheless, we had an unforgettable family vacation. We flew into Milan where my Aunt Tina surprised us by getting on the same flight. When we got to Milan we had to take a few trains to Peschiera del Garda which is where the wedding would be. A charming city on Lake Garda which is located in Northern Italy. A region I have not particularly explored, which was exciting. We stayed at the Lei Ali del Frassino which was a beautiful resort also where the wedding would be held.

At the resort we had a relaxing spa day where we all got massages and facials as well as trips to the sauna and steam rooms. The pools were massive with gorgeous views to lay underneath the sun. Breakfast was magical every morning as well as our own personal pizza party. The tiramisu and affogato was easily some of the best I have ever had in Italy. The ceremony was stunning and I was so blessed I was a part of my Uncle Martin’s and his wife Claire’s big day. With an altar right alongside the lake with the stunning mountain views behind them, they said “I do” living la dolce vita.

The ceremony was special but the reception was delicious and so full of laughter and love from both families. We danced the night away and were able to spend so much quality time with our families celebrating two people we adore.

During our time in northern Italy my mom, aunt, and I took a day trip to Verona. The city of Romeo and Juliet, we were so taken aback by this charming city. With so much to do and so much to see, we wish we had more time. We were able to visit Giardino Giusti, one of the most famous gardens in Italy. Afterwards we walked the bridge to Citta Antica, the city center, as well as spend time in the Piazza del Signori. We had a lovely dinner all together underneath the bridge while watching the sunset. It was a perfect day trip and I was so elated to explore another part of Italy that I had never seen before.

The next day we decided to take a trip to Venice, somewhere my mom had never seen. I had the chance to visit Venice in January of 2025 but that was when it was cold and rainy. It was the complete opposite this time around. Absolutely scorching but so worth the trip. My best friend Franco and his mom- true Venetians- met us there for the day to show us the true Venetian way. We were so excited to see them and spend time with them. Getting to see Venice from a different perspective and not the tourist way was a blessing. We each did around 30,000 steps this day truly. I am not exaggerating, but it was well worth it. Learning true Italian culture has always been one of the highlights of my life and this time was no different. Venice is fascinating, and every corner brings a different view to the culture and makeup of the sinking city. From Canal Grande to St Mark’s Square there is always something to see. My favorite part was when we got to see Venice from above, learning about each different island and what makes them unique. There is more to Venice than what meets the eye, with interesting culture behind each island. It all being by boat was still so crazy to me, even the second time around. Venice is known for "cicchetti” which is small bite like dishes like tiny crostinis or meatballs. You can find them in local wine bars and the Denti’s showed us their favorites, far from the tourists. It does not get more authentic than that.

It is no secret that my favorite Formula One team has and will always be Ferrari. Being Italian and my grandfather admiring Schumacher my whole life has led me to a life of unwavering loyalty, no matter the season. I do love Ferrari very much and living in Italy showed me the true nature of the Tifosi. Something completely unexpected happened during our vacation at the resort, and there happened to be a Ferrari convention, held where we were staying. Some of the biggest names of the company were staying there and it just felt meant to be.

After Venice we had one last day in Peschiera del Garda where my Aunt Tina and I took a taxi out to the main town to explore. We went shopping and had a lovely dinner together while watching the ducks. We ate more gelato than probably necessary but I do not regret one second of it. I was more than willing to practice my Italian with everyone I met, even if I am super rusty.

After a week in Northern Italy where the heat was overseen by the peaceful energy, it was time to head to my favorite place in the world. Rome, of course. The last time I was in Rome with my mom was when I had broken my foot. We never had the opportunity to explore Rome freely, since the last time she was here she was taking care of me. It was a blessing to have my nana there with us as being raised Catholic, getting her to see the Vatican in real time is precious to us. We spent a few days trying new gelato shops as well as seeing the Vatican which was something my mom did with me when. I was in a wheelchair previously. My mom and I spent our nights wandering around Trastevere laughing and talking which are memories I will never forget. We did a golf cart tour around Rome which will never not intrigue me, as I learn something new every single time. It was also a great way to combat the heat. At night my mom and I would dance around Piazza Trilussa alongside the many performers getting our steps in. On their last day, my boyfriend Cameron was flying in and we all spent one last day with my nana and mom. We did a pasta and tiramisu cooking class which is something I never had the chance to do while living in Rome. We had the best time and created recipes that we can now impress everyone with back home. Cameron was determined to make the best out of us all but ended up needing the most assistance which is classic.

It was emotional saying goodbye to my family as I do not get to see them that often but was extremely excited to have a week with my person and giving him his first experience in Europe. He had never done a transatlantic flight before and he navigated it perfectly. I was and still am so blessed we had the opportunity to start our travel journey together with me showing him my favorite place in the world. We spent 4 days in Rome navigating all of the classics and of course the Colosseum. The Colosseum was very important to Cameron, Gladiator of course, so he said his favorite lines and then we moved on. We spent our days with breakfast at Mammo, gelato at Giolitti's, and pasta at Pasta e Vino. I knew I wanted to show him some classic Ciera Rome nightlife and it was only right to show him Nur Bar. We had the time of our lives dancing in the dark and having one too many tequila sours. It was so interesting to come back to a place a year later with an entirely different lifestyle and day to day. Afterwards we walked to Mcdonalds which is a must and talked about our future together. It was a small detail but unforgettable nonetheless. Getting to experience a location so near and dear to my heart with the person who has my heart is one I will never take for granted.

One of the first places I traveled to outside of Rome in 2024 was to Singita Beach with my roommate Maddy at the time. It was the most perfect beach club with unlimited Mojito buckets and the calmest waves I have ever seen. I always knew I wanted to go back someday in the summertime and I thought this was the perfect opportunity. It was definitely not smooth sailing as we dealt with taxi issues as well as train delays we finally made it for sunset. We went swimming and watched the parasailers for hours. We had some of the greatest cocktails we have ever had and sat and watched the sun go down. When we came back we came back tanned and ready for dinner. We spent every free day in Rome exploring every square foot we could. I showed him every niche spot I could remember and we ate more than we could handle. I think there was even talk about matching tattoos? Don’t ask.

Our one last excursion was a train ride to Salerno then a ferry ride to Positano. We had decided we were going to spend the day downing lemon sorbetto, tanning on the beach, buying matching swimsuits, and finding the best pizza we could which of course we know Southern Italy does immaculately. Did it cost a bit more than we thought? Yes, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. The journey was home was rocky and we did get kicked off a ferry as well as had our train delayed by two hours. Thank God for portable chargers and it is safe to say we had the best sleep of our lives that night.

We spent one last day in Rome relaxing and recovering before making our way back to Wilmington where we would have one more month there before moving away permanently. It was the perfect summer European expedition and I am so blessed to have spent it with my favorite people in my ultimate favorite place. Roma, you have my heart forever and always. Ciao for now!