As I sit back and think back to our time in Italy, a bittersweet feeling comes over me. I cherish the beautiful memories that have been made from these experiences, but I also find myself wishing they never ended. I realized that I tend to delay writing about our time there as I am reminded of what I experienced and  find myself feeling down knowing that it is unknown when I would be able to relive them. But I can’t wallow in that feeling for long as I have to remind myself that I have been more than fortunate for the opportunity. As much as I miss being in that moment, I am grateful to have been to able to BE in the moment.

Italy did not disappoint again. We spent days wandering the streets of Rome, taking tours of  the catacombs and crypts or walking to Frigidarium late at night for their famous gelato. The comfort of our hotel room and the hospitable staff, along with everyone we interacted with, made it feel like we were home.  Our Pasta Mama from the restaurant we frequented during our honeymoon remembered us, and made sure we were taken care of whenever we visited her. We spent nights listening to musicians and watching street performers and having dinner at restaurants that always greeted us with warm smiles. Rome, no matter the weather or time of day, opened her arms and welcomed us as if she had missed us just as much.

We took a day trip to Tuscany, and our breaths were taken away by the beautiful quaint towns we visits, the landscape views that seemed never-ending, and the welcoming smiles of those we came across. Tuscany’s serene beauty and slow pace enchanted our hearts just as Rome’s opulence and mystery did. We were fortunate to hear Gregorian monks chanting, filling an abbey with their mesmerizing and haunting hymns. Montelpulciano and Siena stole my heart and made me feel like I was in a fairytale. It instantly became our second favorite destination in Italy. Who would have thought that just a two hour drive outside of Rome would have you feeling like you were in a different world.

No matter how hard I try to sit and capture in words what I felt and what I saw, it’s difficult to do it justice. I left Italy, again with the lump in my throat and the feeling of being fortunate, wondering when I would be able to return. People often say to get out in the world and explore. And I most definitely agree. There are still so many other countries that I would love to visit . There is so much more out there to learn and grow from, and whatever the future holds, I will be sure to keep that thought in perspective. But Italy will forever hold a special place in my heart. She will always be “it” for me and has set the bar very high for others. Perhaps if our cards are dealt right, we may even be able to relocate!  One can only dream…