I’ll be honest, Florence was a bit of a letdown (gasp!). Probably because I had put it on a pedestal since our honeymoon visit in 2016. You see, Florence is my favorite city in all my travel. Not that I’ve traveled a ton, but I’ve been privileged enough to see different cultures across four continents and many countries. After all that travel, Florence crowned the list of favorite cities since our honeymoon in 2016. The magic of the medieval streets at night, turning the corner and out of nowhere seeing the Duomo all lit up. The food and wine – I’m not sure I ever could get enough of pasta, gelato, or vino. The Italian culture that I could use more of – “il dolce far niente” or the sweetness of doing nothing. We just HAD to start our trip in Italy and of course, that HAD to include a month in my favorite city. Even if it was starting to get into the height of tourist season.
You see the pressure cooker of unrealistic expectations?
Well, it didn’t live up to my picture-perfect mental plan. As we wrapped up our last week in my favorite, magical city, I was annoyed and disappointed. TBH, I feel like an ass even suggesting that. Maybe one day, I might tell you why. But for now, I’ll sit and reflect in gratitude for all that Italy did offer us.
“Reflecting on all the beautiful and simple things in your life that are often taken for granted will help ground you. Being able to remember all the good things and people in your life stops the mind from solely focusing on what it wants next. It is easy to flow between gratitude and joy.” – Yung Pueblo from “11 Attributes of Joyful Living”
So, Grazie Mille, Florence.
A few experiences I am grateful for:
- Beckett and Taryn frolicking barefoot through the grass overlooking Chianti vineyards
- New adventures and experiences with old, dear friends – we ventured to Bologna and Montalcino!
- Pushing through uncomfortableness to venture to the local’s market and speaking Italian/gesticulating wildly for some of the best produce
- Weekly date nights for the first time since the pandemic – included a Michelin starred dinner that reminded me too much of the movie The Menu
😆 - My sister and friend who came in from Bologna to give me a beautiful Mother’s Day at the Uffizi, topped with a delicious homemade dinner
- Solo afternoon to be creative in an urban watercolor/sketching class
- Daily walks by the Arno, even if we did lose Beckett’s shoe there the second day in town and he mourned the loss every time we walked on that bridge
- Mad auntie skills – T-Raine keeps us fed, the house clean, and the boys extra loved
- ALL. THE. FOOD. – Beckett is definitely my kid. He’d wake up in the morning asking for pasta for breakfast and gelato after every nap. Camden also had his first food – gelato, of course!
- Met an expat mom and B made a new friend in her two-year-old son
- We actually did it! We had our first international flight. First train ride (with 15 pieces of luggage – 10 outta 10 don’t recommend). Checked off one of the huge next steps in our journey. Some days that part still seems unreal.
It’s crazy to think that our time in Italy is over for now. So, grazie mille Florence. And now, onto Barcelona! Comment with your recommendations!
New here? Read this post – In search of nourishment P.S. If you are up for a quick read, check out Yung Pueblo’s latest Substack 11 Attributes of Joyful Living.
Photo by Ilaria Di Biagio
Loving your blog! I hope you a will talk about finances. How do you know how much money you need and for how long will it last ect.
Thank you! Once we settle in Portugal, I am planning on doing a more day to day budget/financial forecast. Right now, I’m treating this as a bit of a vacation, so spending way more than I normally would. Our hope is to take a year off. Once we get into country and get our long-term lease, we will see how feasible that is. Fingers crossed!