We continued our trip by train to Cinque Terre, and I completely fell in love with Vernazza. its charm, its colors, the way the sea meets the cliffs. That evening, we had dinner in Portovenere, and I’ll never forget the view from the restaurant. For me there was true magic in that moment. We slept just outside La Spezia, on an olive farm run by a local olive oil producer. So of course, we couldn’t leave without taking a few bottles home! 

The second week of our journey began just south of Pisa, where we stayed one night before heading inland to a goat farm in the hills. That stay was unforgettable. From the simple lunch we were served upon arrival to watching the sunset from a hammock, followed by a homemade dinner and a relaxing afternoon by the pool the next day, it was pure bliss. Noah still talks about it.

It reminded us that unforgettable experiences don’t always have to be luxurious, expensive, or modern. This place, where animals roamed freely and life moved slowly, gave us one of the most meaningful memories of our trip.

Next, before we flew back from Florence, it was Chianti’s turn to steal our hearts, especially mine, as a wine lover. The small, stone-walled villages we passed along the way each felt like a hidden gem, worth stopping for, wandering through, and tasting local life. We spent our final two nights in a charming country house bed & breakfast that felt like the essence of Chianti itself. peaceful, warm, surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills. After visiting several local winemakers and tasting their passion in every glass, I knew it: Chianti had officially dethroned Châteauneuf-du-Pape as my favorite wine region.

That dream came true when I met Noah, my current partner. He’s from Atlanta, Georgia, and moved to Amsterdam to study music. We met online, and what stood out to me was that he loved to travel and wanted someone to share that with.

6 months later we got invited to a wedding in Italy. He let me plan and book everything for a two-week road trip through Italy after that. The excitement I felt leading up to it was unreal!

It all began with the fairytale wedding of our Italian friend, held in a castle just outside Milan. It was Italy at its finest; romantic, atmospheric, and surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. We stayed in a stunning villa nearby. The views, the peacefulness of the countryside, everything felt like a movie set. The area around the castle where the wedding was, was picture-perfect, with rolling hills, winding roads, and that golden Italian light. 

After the wedding, Noah and I continued our journey south, making a stop at a family-owned winery before heading toward the coast. We passed through Genoa and Lido, following the most spectacular coastline. We wanted to stop everywhere, every village seemed more unique and beautiful than the last.

We spent a night in the hills above Portofino, surrounded by lush green mountains and views of the glittering sea in the distance. The next morning, on my birthday, we set off to the most beautiful resort I’ve ever stayed in. Perched above the Ligurian coast, it felt like a hidden paradise: eco-luxury cabins, panoramic sea views, and total serenity. Everything about that day felt magical.