Unpacking Italy & Sicily - Part Fifteen

Gathered Moments.

Buongiorno,

As I close the chapter on this journey through Italy, I find myself carrying more than souvenirs or photos—I’m carrying moments.

Moments of presence—like the cool Ligurian Sea swirling around my ankles, just as an unexpected wave reminded me to stay awake to joy.

Moments of awe—watching molten glass twist into delicate beauty in a workshop in Murano.

Moments of color—the joyful houses of Burano, each one a brushstroke in a living painting.

There were grand scenes, of course—St. Peter’s Square, the Colosseum, the canals of Venice—but what has lingered most are the gentle pauses. The in-between places. The unexpected details. The way life in Italy invites you to linger a little longer, taste a little more slowly, and look a little more closely.

And perhaps that’s the real gift of this trip: the invitation to live with more presence — to savor the color, the craft, the quiet, and the simple grounding of bare feet in the grass.

A pause to ground & return to myself!

Now, as I return to my own time zone and daily rhythm, I’m asking myself not just What did I see?—but How did it change me? What parts of this experience want to come home with me? What can I recreate, in small ways, to keep its spirit alive?

I carry with me the beauty I witnessed—and what I learned about myself along the way. A few beautiful truths, some known, some rediscovered:

• I’m drawn to the living heartbeat of a place, not just its past. While ruins tell stories of what was, I’m captivated by what is—the warmth of a shopkeeper, the flavor of a meal, laundry strung off balconies and buildings.

• I value connection and presence. The fact that I remember textures, tastes, and conversations tells me I live with attentiveness—and that I notice the soul in things.

• I’m creative and sensorial. My love of handmade goods and markets isn’t just about collecting things—it’s about curiosity, appreciation for beauty, and the artistry in everyday life.

• I’m relational. I travel not to tick off landmarks but to feel my way through a place. I want to meet people, know their stories, and walk a mile in their shoes.

For me, the essence of a place is found in its humanity. I travel like I hope to live—with heart, with eyes wide open, and attuned to joy in the everyday. I thrive on calm, creativity, and connection. Not every day brings that rhythm, and I don’t always live this way—but I return to it, again and again. It’s the way of being that makes me feel most alive.

A special thank you to those who were an integral part of this experience—what I once called a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip, and now can't wait to repeat.

Yes, plans are already in the works to return in 2027 for my 70th birthday. My daughter and I are dreaming of more of Italy… and perhaps even a little piece of Switzerland, a place I feel called to explore.

To my daughter Stefanie—thank you for traveling with me, for all the planning, for showing me the ropes of European travel, and for being our tireless paparazzi, capturing moments I’ll treasure forever.

To our incredible Trafalgar group—you made this adventure more than I ever could have imagined.

And to Antonio, our Travel Director—thank you for sharing your passion for your country, your deep knowledge of its history and traditions, your warmth, your humor, and your extraordinary ability to bring everything together with grace and care.

While this series has offered a glimpse into some of the places and moments that left the deepest imprint on me, it hasn’t captured them all. There were many more unforgettable stops along the way—each with its own kind of magic. Rather than recount them all in words, I’ll let a few photos speak for themselves.

As I look back on my trip and flip through this travelogue of my time in Italy, my heart is full of gratitude — and, at the same time, I miss it terribly.

Lately, I’ve been binge-watching Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, and the longing to return is stronger than ever.

In the meantime, I feel some Italian cooking in my near future. My daughter even found the perfect playlist to set the mood. If only I could import the good-looking man on the cover! Kidding, not kidding!

Italia, arrivederci per ora—goodbye for now.
But not forever.

One final question to ponder…

What have your favorite places taught you about the kind of life you long to live?

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Hope you'll join us at The Kitchen Table on Friday, June 27th. This month at the Kitchen Table, we gather with suitcases full of stories, hearts cracked open by beauty, and maybe even a little sand still in our shoes.

Inspired by the theme “The Art of Returning,” we’ll explore what it means to come home—not just physically, but emotionally and soulfully—after stepping away from our everyday lives. Whether you’ve recently travelled far or simply taken a pause from routine, time away has a way of shifting something inside us. We’ll reflect on how holidays—of any kind—leave us changed, awakened, softened, and somehow a little more ourselves again.

As always, we’ll share gentle conversation, meaningful reflection, and a creative project to anchor our experience.

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