Dear Italy, 

Most people don’t know this, but you are better than pizza, pasta, and even gelato. Only the people who have visited you know your truth. 

All of my friends with Italian ancestors fell in love with the Italy that they hear of, with the Italy that they taste in their nonna’s food. I have no Italian in me or in my family, but I fell in love with the Italy that I experienced first hand, in Italy. A country only has to be home to the people who are citizens there, but you are home to everyone who visits. 

The first part of you that I saw was Sorrento, on your beautiful coastline. Then I took a ferry to the amazing island of Capri, where I tried my first, and definitely not last, gelato. I touched the Mediterranean Sea for the first time. The stops in Positano, Brayano, and Conca de Marini were short, but worth it. The amazing history and touching story behind Pompeii gave me a new outlook on your people for being so resilient. Napoli’s underground tour was amazing and unlike anything that I will probably ever experience. Then we visited your famous Colosseum, whose beauty could never be explained. The Pantheon was full of so many nice people, and talented street performers. Vatican City, the tiny country inside of you, with its Sistene Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and St. Peter’s square, is unreal. When we were pulling up to the breathtaking Trevi Fountain, we could hear its thunderous water from a block away. Running up the Spanish Steps reminded me of a painting of the Steps that my mom bought when she was visiting you. The only part of your beautiful country that disappointed me was leaving. 

Limoncello is something special that you have, although I did bring a lot back to America for everyone to try. Everyone deserves to experience at least a little bit of your beauty and amazingness. 

Italy, I owe you a lot. I owe you my growing love for travelling. I owe you, and only you, irreplaceable memories with my best friend before she moved across the country from me. I owe you one of the best vacations I have ever been on, and I’ve been on a lot.

Thank you for gifting me a chance to experience your coast. I hope, and expect, to return to visit you again, but for now, Ciao Bella. 

Grazie for your love, your everything, and my memories.