I’ve spent months reflecting on my time in Italy and reminiscing about my adventures there. Sometimes it takes being away from something to bring clarity. I remember feeling that after I went to Venice for the first time. Venice was so fascinating and not quite what I was expecting! I spent a couple of days…

Italy is well-known for its fantastic food! The food is one of the things I love most about being there. Since I returned from my two-month stay, I have been asked, “What was the best thing you ate?” This trip was different for me because I was there longer than a typical vacation. I couldn’t…

When I have been in Italy strictly for vacation, I tend to do tourism-related activities, hike, beaches, etc. I don’t spend much time in a grocery store or just hanging out in the apartment or villa I’ve rented. Because my 2023 trip was different, I was able to see into the lives of Italians in…

One of the things I enjoy the most about traveling to another country is seeing how other people live, cultural differences, fashion, food, etc. I find it fascinating how some things are very different in another culture and others are uniquely human and therefore, they are similar and relatable. The first time I came to…

I decided that I needed to join a gym while in Italy for two reasons. One reason is to experience life more as I would if I actually lived here. The other reason was that I love Italian food and there are bakeries, restaurants, and gelaterie on every corner! I did some research ahead of…

My time in Florence has been partly spent just living life as if I live here full-time. My apartment was equipped with most of the basics but was missing some things I use regularly. In Italy, there is no Target to go to get all those things quickly and easily. You have to kind of…

Benvenuti in Italia! Walking through the airport brought the essence of Italy back quickly. I noticed the lilt of the language and was recognizing more words than the last time I was here. That’s progress! You are hit with avant-garde billboards by designers like Valentino as soon as you are out of the jetway. It’s…

I’m back in Italy less than a year after my last trip! It is amazing to be back and I’m pleased that I could make this adventure happen. I hope to discern if I would truly like to live in Italy one day. I know that vacation here is always fun for me but the…