It was my sixth visit to the magical land of Italy. I was super excited to share my love of Italy with lover. And now it is official: He is in love as well.
For me La Dolce Vita – the sweet life – is about savoring the beauty and joys of life. Good food, laughs, and the simple things.
Twenty years ago, traveling in Italy with my good friend Dina, sipping champagne on the Amalfi coast, a stranger at a nearby table said “Prada bags come and go but the memories you will create here will last a lifetime.” Perfect.
At the end of the day, what really matters most are the experiences we create. Sometimes they are extraordinary, but most times they are those ordinary moments that touch your soul.
As lover and I wandered around Venice, getting lost in its maze, we stumbled upon the Grand Canal in all its glory and we watched – each with a gelato in hand – the gondolas making art as they glided by.
Ah, Venice.
Certain places arouse that feeling that everything is okay in the world and with Venice you begin to feel as if you are in a dream. With another twist and turn, we opened the door to the legendary Harry’s Bar and – luckily for us – there were two open seats. Our bartender, dressed in a white jacket and tie, was furiously busy making a plethora of their famous Bellinis, and so we ordered two. As we raised our glasses, we thought for a second that we may have seen James Bond.
I love to find places that are off the beaten path. Chioggia is a hidden gem about an hour or so from Venice proper. As the local fishermen disembarked from their early morning rounds they quickly filled up all the canal-side establishments, enjoying their morning beer. We tagged along, opting instead for espresso. It was hard to hear each other over all the Italian chatter, but we didn’t mind at all being the only tourists around.
After an amazing lunch featuring local seafood, we spent the day roaming around and found the perfect place to enjoy a Negroni. With each sip, we listened to the puttering sounds of the Vespas and bicycles driving by, surprised – at first – to see cigarettes dangling from the lips of many of the riders.
Italy is a place where all your senses come alive! Strolling along the streets of the coastal town of Bari, with the aroma of garlic permeating the air, kids singing and playing, and the many nonnas outside their homes kneading away making their famous Orecchiette pasta, was just the beginning.
One of my favorite scenes was at the top of the hilltop village of Santa Severina. As the sun peeked through the fairy-tale castle, we spotted two olive-toned men enjoying a glass of wine with their little bowl labeled “Snack Time.” There was something so sweet about that little bowl.
Oh, and all the amazing paintings and ancient history.
As we searched for the oldest pizzeria in Naples, our senses were in overdrive while trying to follow the GPS. We didn’t know where to look, the streets were filled with all sorts of characters, and with each new turn there was graffiti, churches, hanging laundry, and – between the mix of vespas driving by and italian words being spoken – it made for a musical entertainment.
We arrived at our destination and our taste buds were in delight with each bite of the thin soft crusted Neapolitan pizza and that mozzarella that just melted in your mouth. Yum!
Next stop, Roma. Something profound happens when your feet hit the cobblestone streets of Rome, the same streets where the great names of the Roman Empire also once walked. From the Tiber River to the Spanish Steps, from the Colosseum to the Pantheon, everywhere surrounded by the many fountains in all the beautiful Piazzas – it is simply a spectacular place.
One morning we were out and about before dawn and were lucky to get an almost private viewing at the Spanish Steps. With the sun rising, we enjoyed a cappuccino and had our little moment on the stairs before crowds started to fill the streets.
Roma is flavorful, sexy, and self-assured in an unassuming way. Kind of like the Negroni!
Cheers to the sweet life!
TL's Moments 