Away To Italy
🌻 Skip the rigid itineraries of traditional tourism where you’re constantly on the go from one attraction to another. Instead, curate an authentic Italy trip tailored to your unique interests.
🇮🇹 9 Mistakes To Avoid On Your Italy Trip
"The lighter you travel, the more free you are." Ciao Reader! Last summer I was sad to watch two women miss their train in Lucca because they were struggling to get their oversized suitcases up the platform steps. 😰 I could see the panic on their faces as the train arrived. My heart broke for them—they were so close, but their luggage slowed them down, and there was nothing I could do to help. Years ago I used to overpack for my Italy trips and finally learned it isn't worth it. Large, heavy...
😥 The Day I Lost My Phone in Italy (And How I Got It Back!)
"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." — Henry Ford Ciao Reader! I never thought I’d be the one frantically searching for a lost phone in a foreign city, but that’s exactly what happened to me in Pisa. Here’s the story… We had just picked up a family member from the Pisa airport, and after a quick taxi ride to the train station, I was ready to hop on a train back to Lucca. 😱 As I reached into my purse to grab my phone for the train tickets, my heart dropped. My phone...
🇮🇹 Want to Live in Italy? Here’s How We Did It
"Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life." — Anna Akhmatova Ciao Reader! Right after the pandemic, my husband and I did something bold – we bought our house in Lucca without ever stepping foot in it. With the help of our real estate agent, we toured three homes virtually via FaceTime from the U.S. (yes, we took a BIG leap of faith!). 🏡 The moment we saw the one that would become our home, we just knew it was the one. 🗝 We also weren't present at the closing which took...
🌻 9 Must-Know Tips for Your Perfect Tuscan Getaway!
"Tuscany is a poem. The golden hills, the cypress trees, and the vineyards all sing their verses to those who are willing to listen." -Unknown Ciao Reader! Tuscany has a special place in my heart (so much so that I made Lucca my second home!). Over the years I’ve fallen more in love with this region. Tuscany’s breathtaking beauty, mouthwatering food, and its genuine people make this corner of Italy one of the most unique places in the world. One of the questions that I get asked most often is...
🌻 The One Thing You Should Know Before Going To Italy In August
“Italy is a land of dreams and sun." -Lillie Langtry Ciao Reader! Imagine an entire country taking a collective break during the peak of summer. That’s exactly what happens every August in Italy! 🎇 Ferragosto, a major Italian holiday, takes place on August 15th. But the celebrations start well before and continue long after the actual day. Ferragosto changes the atmosphere across the country, with many businesses closing and life slowing down as Italians head to the coast, countryside, or...
🌻 Your Input Needed: What's Your Biggest Italy Travel Challenge?
“Italy...a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life." — Anna Akhmatova Ciao Reader! I was catching up with a family friend at a summer cookout recently and they mentioned a trip to Italy they took years ago. The food, the culture, the people – it was all perfect. Their eyes lit up with longing as they described how Italy left an impression on them. They had always dreamed about going back to Italy but life got in the way, and they never returned. I want to ensure that my content...
🙋🏻♀️ My Honest Travel Confession...
“Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life." — Wayne Dyer (author) Ciao Reader! 🙋🏻♀️ I have a confession to make... Museums and historical sites are interesting but they’re not my favorite thing. While I’ve checked most of them off my bucket list, my true love in Italy is the food and wine experience. Did you know there's no such thing as "Italian food" in Italy? Recently, I came across a few posts on social media left by travelers who were disappointed in their...
🖼 Discover the Joy of Creating in Italy
“Italy… a crucible of creativity, where the echoes of history ignite a spark within, urging you to create your own masterpiece.” — Jessica Brody (author) Ciao Reader! I was wandering through the beautiful streets of Montepulciano when I suddenly stumbled upon a tiny workshop. Inside, an artist was meticulously placing tiny tiles to create a stunning mosaic of the Tuscan countryside. Meeting Albo Mazzetti was such a joy! He told me he started learning the art of mosaics back in 1966 and that...
🇮🇹 33,500 Wheels of Cheese?! My Mouthwatering Adventure in Italy
"The rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna are a paradise for food lovers." — Corrado Augi (Italian food critic) Ciao Reader! Imagine walking into a room filled with a delicacy fit for royalty! On my recent trip to the region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, that's exactly what happened. But this wasn't just any delicacy – it was culatello, a prized cured meat, with a purchase tag bearing the name of Queen Elizabeth II (God rest her soul). It was an unforgettable moment and just a glimpse of the amazing...
💸 How To Set A Budget For Your Italy Trip
"The best trips start with a well-planned budget." Ciao Reader, Many of you have recently asked about the cost of an off-the-beaten-path trip to Italy. So, I decided to make that the focus of this week's email. 💸 The most important step in your traveling planning is to set a budget. You want your trip to be stress-free and that comes with designing a trip you can afford. Let your budget guide your travel plans every step of the way. Here are two different budget ranges for the average 1-week...
🌻 Skip the rigid itineraries of traditional tourism where you’re constantly on the go from one attraction to another. Instead, curate an authentic Italy trip tailored to your unique interests.