Italian Suprise - My Family Travels
88370354

           Rolling hills and death-defying slopes hinted with lush green grass and the multi-colored buildings. This sight cannot be captured in the United States, but only in the beautiful countryside of Italy, a place that I was fortunate enough to visit in an unexpected manner.

            A few months previous, I was prepared to take a trip to Spain, but I received a heartbreaking memo; there wasn’t going to be a trip. However, I was offered an alternative; I could take a trip to Italy instead with another one of my teachers or get my money refunded. I decided on the foremost of the two. 
 
            Stepping off the plane after a nine hour flight and a day later, I was awestruck; I had never been to Europe before and it was so much different than my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. It was a bit colder and no humidity. Florida is flatter than a pancake that was pressed out with a rolling pin, so seeing mountains was breathtaking and I was moved beyond words.
 
            Our first stop was the quaint town of Assisi where we took the trek downhill towards St. Francis’s Basilica where the walls and ceilings were painted with the story of his life. The tour guide also led us downstairs in the bottom of the church where St. Francis’s body is entombed in a pillar of stone.
 
            That night we stayed in a small hotel just outside of the town perched on the edge of the mountain. The dining room had a wall of windows so you could look down into the valley. The view was over exhilarating, but we were so exhausted from the long day and the lack of sleep from the plane ride we just turned in early after dinner.
 
            The next two days we spent walking around the beautiful city of Florence. They consisted of finding a Burger King and having our first Italian cheeseburger, fries, and coke, walking the streets and shopping in the Piazza, lots of pizza, seeing David in addition to other statues and architecture, and eating a waffle topped with ice cream.
 
            Then it was off to three days in Rome. We took a night tour around the city, and to see the city in the daylight is one thing, but to see it lit up in lights was absolutely dazzling. Our tour guide took us to the Trevi Fountain, one of the top most romantic destinations in the world, and we visited some Roman ruins, including the Coliseum. We were also taken to one of the many ways through the Catacombs underneath the city. However, my favorite part about being in Rome was visiting Vatican City, even though it’s not officially part of Rome. If anything it was a great religious experience for me.
 
            After Rome, we headed to Pompeii to walk through the excavated ruins and then off the coast to the town of Sorrento. The next day we headed via boat to the beautiful little fishing island of Capri. We took a boat tour around the whole island and then walked around the upper part of it. Everything on the island was miniature in order to fit on the small land mass from the little trucks they drove around on to even the narrow streets.
 
            Late that afternoon, we headed back to Rome to prepare for heading out the next day. Even though the trip was unexpected, it was by far the most memorable. If I could, I would do it all over again, and it has inspired me to venture out to more countries and learn different cultures.
 

Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.

0 Replies to “Italian Suprise”

  • Celeste Hedequist

    It sounds like a statement that emphasizes the importance of adults having access to things that are valuable. It could be interpreted as a reminder that adults should not be denied the opportunity to enjoy things that are considered precious or valuable. It’s a good reminder that everyone deserves to have access to things that bring them joy and happiness, regardless of their age.

  • Celeste Hedequist

    Summer is a great time to plan a family vacation. There are many options to choose from, such as visiting national parks, theme parks, water parks, cruises, all-inclusive resorts, group trips, or staycations. Happy travels!

  • Celeste Hedequist

    Greek island cruises are a great way to explore the most alluring Greek islands, such as Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos, Corfu, Crete and Paros. You can witness world-famous sights, charming seaside tavernas, and crystal-clear waters while island-hopping.

  • Celeste Hedequist

    Renting a houseboat on Lake Powell is a great way to enjoy scenic beauty and water adventures. You can explore the 1.25 million-acre geologic playground of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which straddles northern Arizona and southern Utah, while unwinding amid the comforts of home. Book your trip now and discover the ultimate vacation experience!

  • Celeste Hedequist

    Cruise lines are offering more immersive experiences for kids, such as go-karting, ice skating, sushi making, and wine tasting, to name a few. These experiences are designed to draw in a wider audience and create unforgettable memories for the whole family.

  • Celeste Hedequist

    Travel professionals have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to handling travel disasters. They can provide you with tips and tools to help you prepare for any kind of travel disaster, whether it’s a canceled flight, a natural disaster, or a medical emergency. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected, and travel professionals can help you do just that.

  • Celeste Hedaquist

    Family cruising experiences are a great way to bond with your loved ones and create unforgettable memories. They offer good value, variety, entertainment, and all-inclusive amenities, and appeal to all ages. So, why not gift everyone an unforgettable experience?

  • Celeste Hedequist

    This is a great travel destination ideas, although it seems outdated. Do you have a more updated travel guides, I believe some locations are not the same due to the pandemic

  • Passport

    Nice post. This wasn’t what I was searching for but I still enjoyed reading it.

  • Celeste Hedequist

    I think this content needs updating. I am interested in looking for new winter destinations after the pandemic hits.

  • Celeste Hedequist

    Planning a winter getaway is an adventure in itself. The snowy landscapes add a magical touch to the family bonding experience. You nailed it. meticulous planning is key, and being ready for unexpected twists, like a surprise blizzard, keeps the excitement alive. Any memorable winter destinations you’d recommend?

  • und

    Fantastic article post.Really thank you!

  • joker

    Thanks for finally talking about >How To Protect Your Family Against Travel Disasters – 10 Tips To Travel Prepared – My
    Family Travels <Liked it!

  • wild

    Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say wonderful blog!

  • Tiger Machan

    The Information your provides its very useful for making a trip.

  • anon

    Thanks for finally writing about >How To Protect Your Family Against Travel
    Disasters – 10 Tips To Travel Prepared – My Family Travels <Liked it!

  • temp

    I have no doubt about that.

  • connerpaul137

    Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with
    us so I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m
    bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Great blog and terrific style and design.

  • Telegra

    Hi there, I found ykur web site by the use of Google while searching for a similar topic, your site came up, it seems to be good. I have bookmarked it in my googpe bookmarks.
    Cheers!

  • Online

    This post is priceless. How can I find out more?

  • greenful

    Hello.Thiis post wwas extremely interesting, especially since I was looking for thoughts on this issue last couple of days.

  • shop based

    Very good post! We will be linking tto this great content on our
    site. Keep up the goood writing.

  • Margarette

    You got a very superb website, Glad I noticed it through yahoo.

  • Henrietta

    Some really fantastc content on this site, thanks for contribution.

  • Selma

    Thank you foor helping out, great information.

  • vite

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your
    next write ups thank you once again.

  • Vern Alice

    You reported that exceptionally well!

  • pizza

    Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as
    long as I provide credit and sources back to
    your website? My blog site is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would truly benefit from a lot of
    the information you provide here. Please let me know
    if this alright with you. Appreciate it!

  • experienced

    Does your site have a contact page? I’m having
    problems locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail.
    I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.

  • Cir

    I take pleasure in, cause I discovered exactly what I used to be having a look for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

  • ainda

    Good post, I certainly love this website. Keep doing good things. 224034904

  • James

    Thank you for this info

  • huaynews

    It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and
    it’s time to be happy.

  • oneearthhotels

    It was a great article, thanks for sharing!

  • Cynthia Crawley

    Great place for kids. My 2 and 4 year old tried every water slide, pool, and toy. They loved the beach as well with the calm, warm waters. It was far from a relaxing trip but this one was all about the kids.

  • wu7917

    I was more than happy to find this great site. I want to to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely savored every little bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to see new things on your web site.

  • Kristi B

    I live in Jacksonville and there is no longer a ‘lively waterfront’. The shops and restaurants were demolished after a mass shooting at one of the establishments. Head to the beach not downtown!! There is a lovely historic district called Avondale/Riverside area. It is absolutely beautiful with shops and restaurants and a beautiful park with a kick a** playground! The neighborhoods sit on the St John’s River. The old homes are big and beautiful. I walk that area regularly and have lived there. Stunning!!!

  • Evden Eve

    Howdy! I simply wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for the great information you have got right here on this post.
    I am returning to your site for more soon.

  • talal ahmadi

    I agree with every word in this blog, I tried to travel to Saudi Arabia with this topic in mind. I thought a lot about choosing a sustainable activity. So I texted Ootlah website to ask them about sustainable activities and they recommended enjoying the desert in Jeddah, which causes almost no harm to the environment. I booked and tried it and it was significant.

  • Mr and Mrs Chris & Sharon Peck

    Thank you. We might get there, and we might not. Hope so.

Comment on this article

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.