Italian Insight

I’ve already had the opportunity to travel to the country of Italy twice in my lifetime. That being said, each visit was very unique in the structure and pace of activities.

During my junior year of high school I traveled with a group of students and chaperones to both Greece and Italy over the course of Spring Break. While many activities were planned out and set in stone, there was also a great deal of freedom allowed for students to roam in groups.

My second time back to Italy allowed for more flexibility in what I wanted to do and see because I was with my family. I traveled to four different regions and fell in love with various aspects of each.

While traveling through Positano on my way up to the Amalfi Coast my family and I stopped for lunch at a local restaurant tucked away in the rugged terrain. We sat beneath umbrellas overlooking the coast with the ocean breeze while plates of pasta were placed before us. Sipping on the sweet Sangria and taking in the view before me I have never felt so content.

During my second trip to Rome I was reminded of all the reasons why I was so obsessed with it the first time I visited. Sharing such monumental moments with my family made returning to major landmarks worth it. With gelato in hand we ventured to the Trevi Fountain, Coliseum, Vatican City, and still found time to shop.

I didn't think that Italy could get any better until I went to Florence for the first time. The architecture amazed me and the cobblestone streets told a story of their own. It was intriguing to see how the modernization of today's world intermingled with the preserved past in the city.

I know that no matter how often I travel to Italy it will always be my European crush and the country that I most desire to visit.