I viaggi finiscono
To say I had a marvelous time touring through Northern Italy would be an understatement. A road trip through these beautiful and historical places was enriching and restored my perspective.
“The eye has to travel”
—Diana Vreeland
I hope that you enjoyed my road trip “journal” and that you will add some of these locations to your Italian vacation checklist.
So I’ve resumed my daily commute via train and tram but the memories linger. To recap, I thought it would be nice to share a few tips for your upcoming travels.
Skip buying the new clothing and purchase soaps, lotions and potions that will trigger olfactory memories.
Due to my three suit case moratorium established when moving to Switzerland, I have decided that I would not purchase NOT EVEN ONE strip of clothing to go on this vacation. I must inform you that this is directly contrary to who I am (and what Instagram preaches). But surprise, surprise! I didn’t die or look shabby! Instead, I opted to purchase aromatic and soothing luxury bath items whose warmly delicate scents will forever remind me of “that summer I did that Italian road trip”.
What’s great about purchasing a bath oil like Ligne St. Barth or a milled soap from Le Labo, (I am hooked on the Bergamot fragrance Thanks Tiffany!) is that even though I am a bathing fiend - yes I enjoy bathing the way most people enjoy drinking alcohol and I plot my bathing with as many opulent flourishes and rituals I can manage before my fingers turn pruney LOL! , it doesn’t cost much and I smell like a rich person on vacation! HA! Will I continue to use these items, now I’m back… not regularly. I’ve packed away the bottles and packets of fragrant memories for a day when I wish I was strolling the streets of Padua on a sultry summer evening.
Find a displayable keepsake or two (NO dust collectors please) that will remind you of your trip once you’ve returned home.
I wanted a couple of things that were distinctly Venetian. One of them being carta marmorizzata (marbled paper)! After visiting the jewel box of a store, Il Pavone and meeting the craftsman who keeps this beautiful artform alive, I decided to purchase two picture frames where I could display two printed photos (I know I’m uncool I actually print photos). I’m thinking one of these beautifully framed memories can brighten a corner of my office desk!
Find the best place in town to eat… and EAT!
What is an Italian vacation without food?! Did you know, my greedy self packed a cooler full of ice, drove back through Verona and stopped for more of those tortelloni, freshly made and uncooked so I could dine another day! ACK! I couldn’t resist. Tonight’s dinner in my little apartment will be thoroughly enjoyed and greatly savored!
Walk your legs off and take too many pictures.
I love picture taking and enjoy not only sharing my “photo album” online with you, but also enjoy printing my pictures and creating a photobook. At first, I used to print my pictures and run down to the craft store and scrapbook my face off! Now, I use the handy online photo printing sites Snapfish (U.S.A.) or Smartphoto (CH and EU) to print out my pictures and photobooks which are a keepsake gift!
In the comment section below, let me know where you are going this summer, or if you have any ideas of where you’d like to travel to next! I am always open to suggestions!