Why travel? Why Italy?

Why do people travel? Why do we bother to spend money and leave the nest to go to an unknown place? And why go to Italy? What’s the pull to Italy?

The nest, the home, la casa, whatever you call it, is what we know best. For most of us, it is a predictable place where we can expect things to turn out as we think they will. Home is where everyone feels secure. Why leave?

When you spend time young children, what do you see? I see wide eyed yearning for learning and the joy of discovery. I see trust and determination. I see wonder.

As we become adults that sense of wonder and the joy of discovery get buried in the daily grind. We are so very busy all the time. We learn to be cautious, careful. We have so much to lose. Everything we know and all we own is at home. Our family and friends are there.

Still, we daydream of faraway places. What would it be like to ride in a gondola, to see the Real David, to eat real Italian food?  We wonder about the size of the Vatican, or the Colosseum in Rome. What’s holding us back?

I believe that little child within each of us pushes the adult self to explore. He/she whispers to us, “What if it is fun? What if we meet great people? What does it smell like in Tuscany? Could it really be as beautiful as the photos? Wouldn’t it be fun to walk the streets of Positano and see those beautiful homes? Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s goooooo!”

My little self is always talking to me. She wants to know when we are hitting the road again. We have traveled to Caribbean beach towns and Mayan ruins, all over much of the United States, part of Canada, all over Europe and to Turkey, Greece and Egypt. So why do I want to return to Italy so much?

Think of all the romantic and suspense movies we have seen about Italy: The Agony and the Ecstasy, Avanti, Captain America, Coins in a Fountain, A Room with a View, Tea with Mussolini, Casa Nova, The Tourist, The Italian Job.Wine, Vino, Italian Wine: I want to see where it is made, taste it and learn how to pair each wine with the right food. And, of course, eat the food and drink the wine.

Art: half of all the art in the World is in Italy. Even if you are not the type who loves going to museums, wouldn’t you like to experience the real Venus on the half shell by Botticelli? No photo can do it justice. And the 17 foot tall sculpture of David by Michelangelo? You just cannot fathom how incredible it is until you have seen it in person.The People of Italy: I want to talk with them, learn their language. And even when I cannot understand what they are saying, I can get most of it by watching their hand gestures and their body language. It is a game of discovery. And the people themselves are so fascinating.History and archeology always intrigue me. Italy is one of the best places to see and experience the past. Walk through ancient ruins nearly everywhere. See and read history on the arches of triumph or Hadrian’s pillar. Wander everywhere and anywhere in Italy and history jumps out at you.

We all deserve to visit Italy, a place where dreams are everywhere and life is exciting in its own, Italian way. I founded TAKE ME HOME ITALY so that I could assist other people to experience Italy in a very personal way. I enjoy helping others plan their Italian adventures. There are so many things you can experience.

Ascolta! Listen! I think I hear the little child in you calling for a vacation in Italy. You can do it. Let me help you plan it. It will be fun! Andiamo! Let’s go!

Ciao for now!