Our Family Trip to Italy!
Michael’s parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year by taking all of us on an amazing trip to Italy!
The trip began in Palermo, Sicily, where one of Michael’s great- grandmothers is from. The day we arrived, we went on a self-guided evening walking tour. We explored the pedestrian street, Via Maqueda, between the Teatro Massimo (left) and the Quattro Canti square (right).
We had been awake for almost 24 hours at this point and needed sustenance, which we found in the form of a drink from a bar inside an orange and cannoli. Cannoli originated in Palermo, so having some there was a requirement.
The next day we took a day trip to the seaside resort town of Cefalù.
We saw an ancient laundromat (left) and had an in-depth tour of the Norman duomo, its towers, and its beautiful mosaic tilework.
Next we headed to Sorrento. Our hotel was built into the side of a cliff with amazing views of the Mediterranean and Mt. Vesuvius.
We took a private boat tour to the island of Capri. I was beyond excited to go inside the Blue Grotto, a sea cave with electric-blue water. Access is highly dependent on sea conditions because you ride in small wooden boats through a small opening. While trying to exit, Eva and I were drenched by a huge wave, which made it extra exciting.
We then wandered around the island’s towns for a couple of hours, took a dinghy to a fantastic restaurant for lunch, saw the famous sea arches, and finally ended the day with a swim. It was the most perfect day!
The next day we headed to the Amalfi Coast to hike a portion of the Path of the Gods trail. This day was full of surprises. First, we learned the hike would be way harder than expected because a landslide was blocking an access road. But we powered through and made it to our destination – a viewpoint overlooking the town of Positano. Then, thankfully, a “shepherd” who turned out to be the hiking guide’s cousin gave us a surprise lunch (with wine, of course).
That afternoon we toured a lemon farm followed by a cooking class featuring lemons. The Sorrento and Amalfi Coasts are famous for their lemons.
The next day we headed for Rome, stopping for a fascinating tour of Pompeii on the way. I learned that most people were actually able to escape after the volcano erupted and before the city was buried.
In Rome, we spent a couple of days touring many of the ancient Roman sites – the Forum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Catacombs. It was hot, and a lot of gelato was consumed.
On our final day, we toured the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s, and went on a foodie tour in the Trastevere neighborhood.
We love traveling together as a couple, but traveling with family is extra special and fun. A huge thank you to our mom and dad for making this dream trip happen!!
