An Italy Trip Recap part 1

and an insanely simple, incredible Roast Chicken

Hello friends! This is part 1 of a 2-part newsletter. As much as I wanted to journal every day on my recent trip to Italy, that didn’t happen. What did happen was I indulged in plenty of plates of cacio e pepe and fresh mozzarella, enjoyed the beauty surrounding me and surrendered to La Dolce Vita. Spending time in Rome, Umbria and the Amalfi Coast was a trip of a lifetime to celebrate our 10^th wedding anniversary in tandem with my 47^th birthday. Italy is my happy place…and it was everything I dreamed of and more. If you ever travel with me, you will be rewarded with a pinned google map of the best restaurants, lists of shopping spots and cool adventures to be had. It’s the Virgo in me or maybe it’s because of my Human Design Type (Manifesting Generator). Either way, I like to call myself a 70/30 planner, meaning I research the hell out of a vacation and come up with 70% of the ideas, reservations and plans and leave the remaining 30% up to universal magic. It’s the only way.

I returned from our trip with some incredible goodies and with a positive test of COVID, which has not been exactly enjoyable, it took me out. To top it off, we landed and got news of Hurricane Helene quickly approaching Georgia and we got straight to work on the house, securing, cleaning, and taking stock of what was needed in case of emergency. It went from La Dolce Vita to extreme reality in a flash. Hence, my absence for writing here.

Fortunately, Helene spared us but to our dismay it destroyed the town where we once lived and where my in laws currently still reside. As I type this newsletter, they are still without power and water and it has really been a tough battle in that area with so the amount of destruction that has taken place. Before we get into the Italy part of the newsletter, I’d love to share a quick link to places where you can offer donations to help rebuild these incredible towns.

CLICK HERE: Support for Hurricane Helene

ITALIA: Part 1

How to do Italy like a pro

My first trip to Italy was in my early 20’s. I had booked a few national commercial’s at that time and had saved enough money to plan an epic European adventure for myself that included visiting Paris, Rome, Florence, and Barcelona. I invited my mom, 2 of my best friends and my then boyfriend to connect with me in various cities as I trained through countries alone to meet them. It left a mark on my soul and was a revelation.

I was swept up in the vibrant hum of unfamiliar languages, the scent of fresh pastries wafting through cobblestone streets, and the breathtaking beauty of centuries-old architecture. Each new city felt like unlocking a different chapter of a story I didn’t know I was part of. The sheer diversity of cultures, landscapes, and histories left me in awe, igniting a passion for exploration that had been quietly simmering inside me. This journey wasn’t just a vacation; it was the beginning of my love affair with travel—the thrill of the unknown, the joy of discovering something new at every turn. It opened my eyes to a world far bigger and more exciting than I had ever imagined. And the food, well, it simple blew my mind.                                              

the best part of our trip: Il Ghiottone Umbro, the most magical B&B foodie destination….

 Now, about 20 years later and after visiting Europe several times, I’ve learned some tips that have proven to be essential.

1: Travel Light: A carry-on is the move when it comes to international travel. Resist the urge to over think and bring too many things with you. The cobblestone streets and the incredible number of steps you will be logging catch up to you. I was able to bring 12 days worth of clothes and necessities in my carry on by bringing items that would be multi-purpose. Packing cubes are life savers. Also, remember to bring a small umbrella if you are traveling in any season but summer. You can buy essentials there too and some of there stuff is frankly, better quality than ours in the US.

2. Learn Basic Italian Phrases: While many Italians speak English, knowing a few essential phrases like "ciao" (hello), "grazie" (thank you), and "scusi" (excuse me) goes a long way. Italians appreciate the effort, and it can help smooth over everyday interactions, especially in smaller towns.

3. Embrace the Local Pace: Italy operates on its own rhythm, especially during meals and daily activities. Don’t expect everything to be rushed—especially in the south. Restaurants open late, and meals are leisurely affairs meant to be savored, so allow yourself to slow down, drink the wine and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, it’s good for you!

4. Reserve Major Attractions and Restaurants in Advance: Popular spots like the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and the Uffizi Gallery can have extremely long lines. Booking your tickets ahead of time online saves you from hours of waiting and ensures you don’t miss out on must-see attractions. I booked the first tickets to the Colosseum for us, and it was incredible to see it without hordes of people around. Eating is a priority for us, and we wanted to make sure to get into the good spots. I made a handful of reservations at places that I absolutely knew I wanted to eat at and believe me I’m glad I did. We ate really well.

diving into luscious eggplant parmigiana at Armando Al Pantheon in Rome

The Food:

So, the food deserves its own appointed post. Next week, I’ll be coming at you with a comprehensive list of where we stayed, ate and how we did it without breaking the bank. The food was dreamy, and I learned so much that I can’t wait to share with you. As you can imagine, we ate a lot of carbs, so naturally we came home to the states and all I craved was a simply roasted chicken, but the one thing I wanted to perfect were the incredibly simple roasted potatoes we enjoyed all over Rome. Bite sized, perfectly cooked potatoes, cooked with salt, pepper, rosemary and a bit of olive oil. The food we enjoyed in Italy was so simple and fresh that it didn’t need much, and I wanted to come home to more of that. Plus, believe it or not, I was tired of pasta.

The Recipe:

I’ve been following fellow Substacker Emily Baird (@everythingyouwanttoeat) for several years now. She is a private chef based in Los Angeles and her food is gorgeous, thoughtful and the kind of food I crave. She has this viral roasted chicken that I wanted to try that only has 2 ingredients, chicken and salt. Let me tell you, I made the chicken and I’ve never had a whole chicken devoured so fast in this household. My kids asked for seconds and thirds and the bird was just exquisite, simple, and delicious.