Italy in 3 Parts

I am going to confidently say that anyone that doesn't admire Italy- specifically Venice- has a cold, dark, tar-like substance for a heart. It's absolutely as beautiful and intense as I had heard.

I spent a couple days in Innsbruck, Austria before heading to Venice by train. About 30 minutes before arrival time I got the nervous jitters like a kid's first visit to Disneyland. I was actually going to be in Venice! Stepping out of the train station into the watery city was spectacular. The vaporetto (water bus) stop right out front, the massive foot bridge over the canal and the hordes of people all seemed like a dream. My dad had booked a great little hotel away from the insanity of the tourist traps which was a wonderful respite to come back to each night. Wending my way through alleys and canals, getting lost and discovering some quaint piazza were all part of the magic that is Venice. I ate gelato every day (sometimes twice) and had my best meal of the trip in Venice. Drinking bellinis or experiencing campari pre-dinner cocktails alongside a canal for the first time are some of the memories I will cherish forever.

Next stop ROMA! Although I was forewarned of the dirty, bustling streets that are Rome it still felt overwhelming. It wasn't until a visit to the Colosseum that my appreciation for Rome awakened. Walking the ancient ruins of the Forum and seeing ancient cathedrals in person was traipsing through a history book. I believe Rome is just massive and overrun with tourists and next time I would love to find someone that knows the hidden gems of local Roma.

Last stop Firenze! I loved this place. Florence doesn't have the quaint postcard facade of Venice, but set in Tuscany with rolling hills behind the Ponte Vecchio Bridge it is amazing. It is a great walking city and I loved wandering the tiny corridors. Of course a visit to the world famous Uffizi Museum was mandatory. I actually saw Botticelli's Birth of Venus in person.

I had many emotions approaching a visit to Italy. Coming from a family of passionate Italians (no matter how diluted it may be now) I wanted to understand the culture, embrace it and be welcomed. I was also weary of the Italian reputation. I was most nervous about traveling in this country because I wanted to love it so much and I hoped it would embrace me like the long lost 1/4 Sicilian I am. When I got to Italy I bought a small Italian phrasebook. I absolutely loved trying to order food, greet people or figure things out in Italian. Sometimes it worked and sometimes they had NO idea what I meant. Either way Italy is in my blood- literally and figuratively.