When in Italy: A story about my lockdown travels to Italy
I have always dreamt about travelling to Italy. Ever since I can remember the beautiful south-central country in Europe has been at the top of my travel bucket list.
When the pandemic hit and we went into lockdown, I started reading a series of books about Italy and one of the books was called “When in Italy”. I spent hours with my nose in that book, reading about the country and its fascinating cities. Learning about Italian cultures and history, the Italian cuisine, phenomenal architecture, famous landmarks you should visit and basically everything you should do when in Italy.
I was transported to Italy through a book.
I drifted along a canal in Venice on one of those famous Venetian gondolas watching the sun set, going through the tunnels, and admiring the Venice scenery.
I went to Florence where I learnt how to make the perfect pasta. Like myself, if you have even the slightest interest in cooking, you would relish at the chance to learn how to make this famous Italian specialty.
I rode a bike around the Tuscan countryside under the Tuscan sun and fell in love with Tuscany so much so that I am definitely going to have a Tuscan wedding one day.
I was seated at Verona’s Roman arena anxiously waiting for the Andrea Bocelli’s opera show to begin. I explored all there is to be seen, when in Italy.
I absolutely loved the feeling that those chapters gave me.
It made me feel as though I was thousands of miles away during lockdown, and I couldn’t wait for the “one day” that I get to travel and live out what I had already imagined myself vividly experiencing.
So, I decided to bring Italy to me by recreating some of the things that I read about. I spent a week learning how to make the perfect pasta from scratch. I watched numerous Andrea Bocelli opera shows on YouTube and I spent hours collaging and planning my Tuscan wedding.
Although it could never compare to physically being in Italy, it surely was the highlight of lockdown for me.
