Our next steps

Our trip went by very quickly however I felt present each and every moment.

For those of you that have no idea what trip I'm talking about, I'll enlighten you.

Stefano and I took a two week trip to a new town that we've been researching on as our next chapter in Italy.

No it's not Florence.

Walking paths are all over the town

This trip was also a vacation, so in the middle of getting to know the town and the area around it and meeting a whole bunch of warm and welcoming new friends, we relaxed. Which meant sleeping until 8am, finally getting ready by 10am and out the door by 11am. Yeah we took our time. Our evenings consisted of us visiting the only cafe/bar/ristorante (that was open this time of year) for an aperitivo then we'd head into the dining room when Giulia (the chef) told us she was ready for us.

It was like being in someone's home.

We 'd walk in around 6pm and there would always be four locals playing a card game. We'd order a drink and sit next to them and listen to their banter. Giulia would come by with a bowl of chips to go with our cocktail.

I sat there looking at these four friends, at the other locals wandering in to get a cocktail, a glass of wine or a coffee and chat with Giulia about their day, and the thought I had was "how peaceful is this?"

When dinnertime came, we'd be directed to our table (the one by the window) by the end of the two weeks it became ours. Giulia would come to our table personally and tell us what she was making that night. I felt so taken care of and the warmth flowed all over me. Because of the love and passion exuded from her which made us feel even more at home.

A few from our apartment

I'll be honest the first few days was a little touch and go. We were stared at (like we were spies) as we walked down the street saluting the locals with a "buongiorno o buonasera". I felt awkward similar to that feeling I had as a child feeling left out.

Once we were greeted with a loving "Ciao come state?" when we would walk into the cafe each passing day, I felt a little warmer in my soul.

I could sense a shift in Stefano as well. Once we got closer to the locals, Stefano got happier and happier, laughed louder and louder.

Already feel like a local

This trip gave us something that we've been missing:

Community

Togetherness

Conversation

Compassion

Kindness

Hope

Needless to say, we are actively creating a plan to move back to Italy. As we move through one step at a time, I want to take you along on this journey. As the journey will be a bit different since the first time I moved to Italy in 2009.

Slow down

Typical travel in Italy has changed a lot since I first set foot in Italy in 2002. And what people miss is the connection you get with a place not only with the landmarks and restaurants but more importantly the people. The heart and soul of a place that seemed to be lost with time, with popularity, clicks and follows.

Just because a place isn't publicized on the internet doesn't make it less special. And unfortunately, thanks to the internet no one uses books or talks to people as much anymore about where they've visited to get advice. It's all based on what the internet is saying.

Truly Italy was created for the purpose of bringing travelers to places that were never on their radar.

We want to open traveler's eyes to the true and authentic part about living in Italy as an Italian.

Not a tourist.

Keep following our journey here to see how it all unfolds.

A presto,

Kate/ Caterina - as the locals call me :)