When I was 11, I was lucky enough to spend six weeks in Europe with my family. My parents would never take us to Disney world (something Icomplained about bitterly as a child!), but looking back, Europe was obviously way cooler. We travelled to England, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland — and my favourite, Italy. Even as a kid, I could appreciate the amazing art, architecture and history. The beauty of the Tuscan countryside and cities like Siena and Florence has always stayed with me.
I learned two Italian words on my first trip to Italy: “grazie”and “gelato.” (As an adult I added “vino” to my repertoire!)
Our first night was in Como (made famous now by George Clooney and his villa), where we arrived after a long day in the car driving from my aunt and uncle’s house in Luxembourg. My dad had trouble finding the hotel, and after driving around for a bit, rolled down the window to ask a passerby.
“Is complicato,” the man replied. He pointed in the opposite direction we were driving in, then stood in the middle of the street to stop traffic so my dad could turn around. Then, much to our surprise, he hopped in his own car and led us through the winding streets until we came to the hotel. Needless to say, our first impression of Italy and the kind generosity of Italians was extremely favourable!
I absolutely adore movies that take place in Italy. Italian scenery can elevate even the most mundane flicks (I’m looking at you, When in Rome!). A few of my favourites:
Only You – the first time I saw Positano
Stealing Beauty– ah, Tuscano
Roman Holiday –a classic!
My new book The Chimera Affair takes place in Italy (with an interlude in Geneva). It was such a pleasure to write about the Italian locales I love so much. I’ve always loved spy/on-the-run adventures, and for my first, Italy seemed a perfect setting. There’s just something so romantic and exciting about the country. There’s a lust for life in Italy that I’ve always admired and tried to emulate.
There are so many wonderful places to see in Italy that I couldn’t begin to list them all here. But Como, Positano and Florence are three of my very favourites. Have you been to Italy? What was your favourite Italian experience? And did it involve gelato or vino?
After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction and –although she loves delicious angst along the way – Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said, “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.” You can find out more about Keira and her books at her website, Twitter, and Facebook.
Heidi Cullinan
Evaine
Marie Sexton
Shawny
I toured Rome, The Vatican, and Sicily one summer. I loved visiting the tourist sites the most. It made me realize just how young America is. And, yes, my trip involved both gelato and vino…doesn’t everything in Italy involve those two things…and pasta??
doesn’t everything in Italy involve those two things…and pasta??
It certainly does for me!
I’ve never been to Sicily, but would love to go. I could spend a year in Italy and still want more time.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Well, I am German and Italy is still our favorit travel destination.
Personally I can’t even remember how many vacations we spend there, but I still love it. We spend a few days of our Honeymoon in Como. And I have some very fond memories of this little town. Rather tame ones though cause we spend so much time dining and drinking vino, we slept like stones.
Ha! I’m sure you made up for it when you got home. ;P
I envy you being so close to Italy! Although I love Germany, too. Bavaria is so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your memories, Dorome!
My daughter has lived in Rome several times, once on a fellowship at the American University. That was when I visited them. Ahhh, Rome! Walking down a street away from the Vatican I had a major deja vu, I expect from seeing it in movies. La Bocca Della Verita brought memories of Roman Holiday. There was lots of wine and coffee. The pizza and gelato were incredible. I had some delicious deep-fried artichokes in the Jewish Quarter. The food was all memorable. The view I most would like to repeat was from the hilltop town of Oriveto, breathtaking! My grandson, who attended an Italian pre-school, came home as a 3year old speaking both Italian and English. Now 6 he still speaks some Italian, they all speak it together at home from time to time. I would like to return sometime but that’s not likely. Thanks for triggering my memories.
My pleasure, Nancy! Thanks for sharing. Mmm, deep-fried artichokes. Adding that to my list of foods to try! And I’ve never been to Oriveto, so thanks for the tip!
The art in Florence and the food in Tuscany. My soon was not as impressed with the scenery at 10. I will never forget him wailing, ‘I’m tired of seeing naked people!”
Ha! The statue of David didn’t do it for him, huh?
Ah, Florence. I have such fond, fond memories. The food, the people, the everything. Tuscany in general was so wonderful. Thanks for sharing, SAMK!
I loved Florence and the light in Tuscany…it truly “paints” everything golden.
Yes, everything looks better in Tuscany! It’s truly a magical place. The first time I went to Florence on that trip with my family, I remember buying a new wallet at the big street market. The vendor was so kind to me and gave me a free bookmark. The people’s openness and generosity was so welcoming.
Thanks for sharing a trip down memory lane, Cynthia!
Heh, tip: don’t try and climb Vesuvius if you’re with a) two gymteachers from Arizona and you’re an overweight english chickie and b) the temperature is above body temperature. The gelato they met me with when I finally came part way down was most most welcome.
Ha! I’ll keep that in mind. I love Pompeii and that area, but haven’t tried climbing Vesuvius. Yet, anyway.
Thanks for the tip, Deb!