Our Anniversary in Italy

I’d always dreamed of going to Italy and seeing some of the sites I’d heard so much about. My husband and I love history, so walking the streets of Rome was high on our bucket list. With our 30th anniversary coming up, it seemed like the perfect time to go. A trip to Italy would be one of the most memorable times of our lives.

My wonderful father decided to gift us with a trip of a lifetime and they and our oldest daughter would go along with us. On the agenda was Venice, Pisa, Florence, Assisi and Rome.

If you get a chance to go on a trip to Italy, make a list of the Italian destinations you want to visit. This trip took us to:

• Venice
• Pisa
• Florence
• Assisi
• Rome

Initially, I thought Rome would be my favorite place to visit. It is filled with history and I love old buildings and history. However, my husband and I both found it crowded. You have to watch out for pickpockets and scams at the Vatican and other public places. While it was amazing to see things in person you’ve read about in books, it was also very warm, busy and tiring. We much preferred the slower pace of Assisi, which was our favorite stop and even of Venice, where there is a more laid-back feel.

Fall in Love in Venice, Italy

What isn’t to love about a city on the water? Rather than streets, people take boats everywhere. There are little alleyways you can walk, too, filled with fun shops, eateries and gelato galore. Our favorite time in Venice was meandering down one of those areas. We passed little markets with local treats, fruits, veggies and bread.

Our actual anniversary was while we were in the city, which was perfection.

Must-Dos in Venice

• Visit a glassblowing store and view a demonstration. Italy is known for its extremely skilled glass artists. You won’t be disappointed, although you may wonder if you can afford to buy anything as the glassware is pricey to say the least.
• Take a gondola ride. We had to! It was our anniversary and we had seen it in so many movies. It didn’t disappoint. Our driver sang to us and took us under quaint bridges along the way.
• Go into an offshoot from one of the paths and eat at any restaurant the locals frequent. You won’t be disappointed. Have some wine with your dinner.
• Talk to the people! The thing that struck me most about Italy was how excited they were to have us there. They like tourists. Much of their economy is built around tourism. You may feel unwanted in Paris but Italians are warm, friendly people who love everyone.
• Visit as many museums as possible. Take guided tours to learn the history.
• Eat the gelato in St. Mark’s Square. We had gelato every single day and we aren’t sorry.

Save an Ancient Building in Pisa…Kind of…

I was initially excited to see Pisa on the list of stops on our tour. Then, I realized it is a giant tourist trap place and we probably could have spent our time in Italy a bit more wisely. It was fun to see the tower in person and take the standard photo of holding up that that tall, leaning structure. It takes about 15 minutes to get a good look at it and take a photo and then you’re stuck shopping. If you love to shop a bazaar-type setting, this is for you.

Must-Dos in Pisa

• More gelato – always!
• Must-do photo in front of the tower. They have spots marked to help you make it look like you are holding the tower up. You can also get a cake cone and make it look like you’re licking the structure.
• Lots of little eateries and cafes
• Shopping
• Talk to the locals some more. Most speak English!

Admire David in Florence

If you enjoy art, you’re going to love Florence. There was so much to see here, but we were on the fast track. We got to visit the the Accademia Gallery and see David and other beautiful works of art. We then had some free time to stroll the city center. We saw several gorgeous cathedrals, old buildings and shops upon shops. The stores in the area of Florence we were in were a bit more upscale and less localized. You have to head down the side streets to find the real gems and we did, finding a cute toy for our granddaughter. We also discovered another gelato shop and had some.

Must-Dos in Florence

• See David
• Eat more gelato
• Visit the Pinocchio store and buy something
• Go inside the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
• Stop in front of the Cappelle Medicee art museum and admire the statues

Find Inner Peace in Assisi

Although I loved the entire trip, Assisi has a special place in my heart. I suspect which location you love depends very much upon your inner personality and if you like urban or rural settings. The minute we drove into the area, I was in love. Lots of rolling hills and farmland dot the edges of town. Our hotel was down from a little cathedral. Our tour guide mentioned we could walk to it, see picturesque Italian alleyways and go inside for mass.

I went to Catholic school growing up, so I very much wanted to go. My husband and parents were all tired and wanted to nap. Luckily, my daughter agreed to head there with me. It was more than worth the walk as you can see. I have always loved St. Francis of Assisi from the moment I learned he was the patron saint of animals. I adore critters and felt we had something in common in our love for all of God’s creatures.

We entered the Cathedral and realized its massiveness and beauty. The next day, we all traveled to the Basilica and the town around it. Cats roam the area and everyone takes care of them. I may have taken too many photos of cats in doorways. I loved everything about this quaint town. I’d love to return and spend a lot longer there.

Must-Dos in Assisi

• Walk at the bottom of the town and check out the dwellings and alleys, visit the cathedral.
• Drive up to the Basilica and surrounding shops and cobblestone streets.
• Pet a few cats.
• Have more gelato.
• Eat lunch at a small deli or cafe.
• Take in the views.

Step Back in Time in Rome

While Rome wasn’t our favorite location out of the ones we visited, it was still a dream come true to walk the same streets as decades of visitors walked. We loved the food, the cobbled streets and narrow passages. The people were a bit different in Rome, more of a big city vibe. We drove around and saw tons of ruins and spent a day going on a tour of the city that almost killed us. I checked my Apple watch later and we walked over 30,000 steps that day! Whoa! My parents, in their 70s, kept up with us.

We visited the Colosseum, which was exciting and walked down an old Roman road. We ate more pasta and bread and the next night drove to a dinner theater show where they perform around the dining room and sing. By this point in our trip, we’d met some amazing people we hung out with and they would become such good friends that we’d meet up with them again as a group in the U.S.

Must-Dos in Rome

• Trevi Fountain
• More gelato
• Roasted chestnuts in the square by Trevi Fountain
• Vatican – Allow time to just take in the Sistine Chapel
• Colosseum
• Pantheon
• Baths of Caracalla

Do I Recommend a Trip to Italy?

Italy is a beautiful country filled with warm, vibrant people who appreciate what tourism brings to their area. You’ll find many of them speak excellent English and are happy to have a conversation even if you speak no Italian. They are proud of their culture, take pride in their history, food and art. The next time I go to Italy, I’m going to see wine country and the coasts and skip Pisa and probably Florence. While it was a nice stop on this trip, I’d rather see something new. Our trip to Italy for our anniversary is something I’ll always treasure. Building those lifelong memories sustains you through the hard times and reminds you why you fell in love all those years ago.