13/09/2025
Last year, I thought long and hard about making a big life decision and pursuing a dream I’ve had since my first year of college: planting roots in Europe. At that time, I imagined I’d be somewhere in France — my first time in Paris blew my mind. I traveled all over that incredible country, from Saint-Brieuc to Marseille and beyond.
As I got older, I explored Spain, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Norway, Greece, Romania, and Belgium. So many incredible places, but nothing has spoken to my heart as authentically as my experiences in Italy.
Yeah, I know, I know — another American girl enamored with the country everyone and their uncle seems to be falling in love with. Pssh… 🙄 But my first time here was back in 2013, before Instagram and TikTok influencers. My journey began in Venezia, Roma, Capri, the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Ravello, Amalfi), Sorrento, all the way down to Sicily (Palermo). I returned again in 2014 on tour with my band in Milano, in 2017 with friends, and in 2019 for a month-long solo adventure that took me from Firenze through Emilia-Romagna — Bologna, Modena, Polesine Parmense (near Lombardy).
In 2024, I found myself in Apulia: Marittima, Santa Maria di Leuca, Tricase, Castro Marina, Otranto, Lecce, Brindisi, up through Ostuni, Monopoli, Fasano; across the border to Matera and back through Tuscany — Moncioni, Grosseto, Maremma, Pisa — with multiple returns to Firenze. And here I am again today, this time sitting in my own apartment, which I purchased this past spring after realizing just how much this city, and this country, remind me of home.
My love for good food, family, friends, honoring history while embracing the present, and enjoying life without rushing through it has deepened my connection to Italian culture. I’m learning the language, relearning “adulting” in a new way — it’s challenging, but I’m so grateful to have made a dream come true.
Grazie mille ai miei amici per avermi aiutata in questo processo di trovare la mia casa qui a Firenze. Saluti al presente e al futuro. 🍾🥂🇮🇹🌞