Bella Italia
Tuscan colours in Lari
The first time I went to Italy I was in my early 20’s when I was travelling the world as a professional dancer with English National Ballet.
We were lucky enough to be performing at the Nervi Dance Festival, not far from Genoa at an open air theatre beside the sea. It was August, stiflingly hot, and because of the heat and the fact we were performing outdoors we didn’t even have class until early evening.
Which meant we had all day to explore.
We took boat rides to Portofino and sat at beachside restaurants for long lunches. Visited museums and galleries to escape the midday sun, and cooled down with mouthwatering Gelato after class while we prepared for the late evening performances.
I was totally and utterly in love with everything about the place.
But it wasn’t until I was 41 that I returned to Italy, when I made my very first solo trip to Europe. I had beaten cancer the year before, and was determined to start making the most of my time on earth so I booked a cheap flight to Rome, hopped on a train and headed North to a tiny little town in the Sabine Hills called ‘Casperia”.
My intention was to join a yoga retreat and reset my mind and body. What I ended up doing was booking into a glorious B&B that had a cookery school attached.
I hired a car, hit the open road, and spent a week exploring Lazio.
I didn’t do a single Sun Salutation, but I had ignited a passion for solo travel, and was determined to see as much of Italy as I could before I leave this earth.
Since my week in Lazio in October 2012, I have been back to Italy another 3 times.
In October 2021 I explored Lombardy during a brief travel window between seemingly eternal lockdowns. I then returned to Northern Italy 7 months later and explored Bologna, Verona and Lake Garda.
And most recently I spent the most glorious week (albeit suffering from a rotten cold throughout), in Tuscany.
That was my most spontaneous trip to date. (For me, the more last minute and unplanned the better. It all adds to the excitement!)
I have to admit that I have yet to get to Florence, but I hate crowds to be honest, and haven’t discovered the best time to go! It always seems to be busy.
I don’t know what it is about Italy that is just so addictive.
Maybe it’s just the perfect combination of warmth, both from the people and the weather…or the stunning architecture that greets you around every corner. Combined with fascinating history, the best food in the world, and incredible wines from sun soaked vineyards. Not to mention a language that delights the senses, as it lilts and rolls off the tongue.
Every region has its own charms, beauty and depth.
And I’m on a one woman mission to explore them all.
So do join me as I take you along on my adventures.
I should warn you that there’s very little planning involved, and I give new meaning to ‘getting off the beaten track’. (That’s where you find all the best treasures.)
I’ll take you to places you’ve probably never heard of, find the best places for you to enjoy lunch, and seek out perfect spots to enjoy an Aperol as the sun goes down. We’ll explore hilltop towns, and drive through breathtaking countryside.
This is my Bella Italia….
Baci,
Sarah x