~Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life ~
We are lucky enough that while living in central Florida, we can hop over to EPCOT when we need an international travel fix. So, yesterday Kailee and I went over to stroll through EPCOT. It’s funny because currently it’s the Food and Wine Festival (at EPCOT) and with all the delicious food offered, we didn’t eat anything in Italy. I guess once you are introduced to the authentic homemade Italian food, you can skip it at Disney lol. It just feels so familiar walking through World Showcase and seeing iconic statues. Knowing we own an actual piece of this amazing country is still unbelievable to us. We had a pep in our step walking through and taking pictures at the statues. EPCOT is always a favorite park for us. Especially for those who love travel. EPCOT allows a chance to travel the world right here in central Florida. For Kailee, she enjoys the culture. Walking by China, she recalls actually living there. While at the same time, I recall being worried out of my mind that she was living there. However, I was always completely proud of her passion for travel & adventure.
Just being there had me thinking about this beautiful place we now call our “home away from home”. I’ve been keeping in touch with several of our neighbors and friends and it helps keep the time in between visits seem not so long. We love Whatsapp. It’s a perfect way to stay connected with international friends. Until our next trip. With that said…..
A month from yesterday, my bags will be packed, my nose swabbed, all my documents in a row and I will already (by now) have landed in Italy. This is a solo trip for me. Well, technically not solo. However, I’ll be without Mike and any of the kids. Yes, this is my first time going alone on an international trip. I’ve either had Kailee or Mike by my side. I’m doing my best to embrace this solo trip thing and leave all my fears and worries behind. Let’s see how that goes lol. As Kailee (my oldest daughter) has reminded me, “it will be good for you mom.” Thanks Kailz, I believe so too. I do have mixed emotions. As it gets closer, I’ll overthink everything, stress out over everything and I’ll most certainly give my anxieties – anxiety lol.
I’m not a fan of flying. I am severely claustrophobic. I also suffer with awful motion sickness. This is all worsened due to current mask mandates etc. I suffer with a very challenging (and at times debilitating) vascular disease (of my entire upper body) that doesn’t always cooperate. Because of this, Mike always carries my bags. He won’t let me carry or lift anything and he completely understands all of my motion sickness issues. I’m what you call “high maintenance” lol. Once I relax my mind about all the “things”, both big and little – I will be beyond excited about this trip. I am going to put together a blog post about traveling with chronic illness. I will be sure to gather some helpful information after this solo trip. I think so many of us battle with health issues and if I can still travel, so can you. It can be challenging, but, it is completely worth it! You just need to be prepared.
Next month, I’ll be traveling with a new friend Noelle and her husband. I met Noelle through this blog wonderfully enough. Our friendship has grown over the past year. We both connected through a fellow friend, Chris from “Super Savvy Travelers” (Youtube/ FB channel). Noelle happened to find my post about our home purchase and reached out. Since, she and her husband have purchased a home in Italy. It happens to be just around the corner from our home. It’s just a couple of villages over. Mike and I actually met their realtor in July to take a 2nd look at the property for them. They, like us, bought it sight unseen. It’s just up the street 15 min from us. It’s a beautiful home with an amazing mountain view from their terrace. Their village is also charming and I think they are going to absolutely love it! This will be their first trip going to the home and getting it set up. I’m so excited to share this process with them, while helping get them acquainted to our beautiful region.
Because their home was not left fully furnished (like ours was) they have a lot of shopping to do! So, Noelle and I will be out and about tackling shopping in Rome together. I think we will have plenty of free entertainment for you, between videos and photos of our daily adventures. So, stay tuned on those shenanigans! When in Rome lol.
How amazing is travel. It not only brings you personal enjoyment, it can bring complete strangers together. Friendships can form and grow over common interests and dreams. To have someone to share this insanity with is pretty amazing. Someone not family, not questioning your decision or calling you crazy. Someone that genuinely shares similar dreams you have and they only encourage yours. They too are living life to the fullest. Someone I have yet to meet in person, but we share such excitement and occasional laughs over our upcoming trip. I think that kind of new friend is truly a gift.
~ A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step ~
Once I get to our home in Italy this trip, we’ve been waiting on exciting things happening. After many months of “Italian bureaucracy” we finally have our pellet stove being installed. This will provide heat for our home and make being there in the winter months more enjoyable (and affordable). The plug in space heaters were not doing the trick, and were extremely expensive to run constantly. This installation work is expected the 1st week of November. We are so relieved and excited for this to be completed. I’ll get to enjoy being there with a new friend Noelle, while seeing familiar faces in our village and check on the new pellet stove installation. Then, before I head home, I’ll welcome another sweet friend, Hailey. She is getting married and will be headed to Italy and renting our home for their honeymoon week! I’m so excited for her!! What a beautiful trip and experience Hailey and Justin are about to have together in Italy. Also, they booked a photo session with the best photographer in Italy! Who happens to be our beautiful neighbor and friend. I’m going to attach Lida’s website for anyone looking for an amazing local photographer while in Rome. Lida M. Photography. She can be found on FB & Instagram as well. Check out her stunning photos!
I think for me, being able to share our home in Italy with friends and family is the best part. For some, having never been to Italy (or Europe or even international travel) can be quite overwhelming. Knowing someone you can trust is important for recommendations etc. Having the ability to stay in their home can help ease all of that fear. So, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about our home purchase in Italy, or traveling in general. And of course, reach out if you’re at all interested in renting our home.
~ Traveling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller ~
Blessed is she.