When I was 15 I was really into playing the piano, but I wanted something to push me further. After much perusing and internet research, I found a summer course consisting of 3 weeks of intensive piano training, deep in the heart of Italy. From that moment, it was all that I wanted. Unfortunately, the course cost £2500, and I was not prepared to find that kind of money for 3 weeks. However, from that moment, my obsession with Italy began.
Since that moment, I’ve romanticized Italy more than I care to admit. I’ve dreamt of going, looked up millions of photos, read about many a place… Anything I can do to imagine myself there. When debating places to travel, Italy has always been on the top of my tongue.
It was getting to the point where, if I hadn’t gone by the end of this year I was going to take myself. Then, in honour of my 21st birthday, my parents surprised me with a weekend in Rome, and my dream finally became a reality.
So, was Italy worth it?
They say that you should never meet your idols, because you’ve built them up so much in your head that they’re bound to disappoint. The same applies for a situation like this. I was incredibly worried that since I’d romanticized Italy so much in my mind, it had no choice to be a let down. As we embarked on our first day out, I was an anxious mix of scared and excited. This was it. I was in Italy. Would it live up to my high expectations?
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It was everything I wanted and more.
I’ve never really been one to be astounded by architecture, but Rome absolutely blew me away. Walking through the streets was like walking through the set of a romantic movie, and everything felt so calm and serene. The views were breathtaking, the architecture stunning and, in all honesty, the Trevi Fountain is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. You can look at as many images and videos as you want, but nothing will ever compare to real life.
The Food
OMG. The food.
As someone who has pizza and pasta running through her veins, I was ready to devour everything I could get my hands on. I won’t go into detail as I have a whole separate post coming with details, but I tasted some of the best pizza I have ever had. Everything was fresh and beautifully cooked and I could have stayed there, stuffing my face forever. In fact, this isn’t the end for me. I will be back and I will be eating more.
So, what do I do now?
What do you do when you’ve achieved something you put at the top of your dream list? Do you remain idle? Do you sit back happy with what you’ve achieved and accept that you’ve peaked? Well, if you’re me you aim for the next big thing. I’m not done with Italy yet. I still plan to explore Venice, Milan, Florence and maybe even head back to Rome. However, I do feel incredibly content with the fact that I’ve set foot on Italian soil.
As well as this, some other places have skyrocketed to the top of my list. I may not approach them with the same intense adoration that I had for Italy, but I most definitely still hunger for them. So far, the new list is:
- Copenhagen
- Amsterdam
- Bali
- Mexico
- Florida
- New York
I have a couple of vague plans for a few of them, but most of them are up in the air (Hehe pun intended). Honestly, they don’t all need to happen straight away, heck, I waited 5 years for Italy. However, it’s nice to have places to lust over and aim for, and that’s exactly what I plan to do.
I am beyond ecstatic that, after so many years my dream came true. It was the perfect way to kick off my 21st birthday, and I can’t wait to see how the year progresses.
Have you ever been to Italy? What’s your dream place to travel to? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
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i love all the pictures in this and im soo jealous that you went to Italy!Great post, and congrats on 500 followers!
Thank you so much! Honestly Italy was so gorgeous, I loved it
Jas xx
I’ve only been to Florence but it was amazing. St. Petersburg is next on my list!
I’d love to go to Florence!
Jas xx
I haven’t been to Italy, but I so want to go!!! England/ a tour of Europe is where I really want to go next!
Oooo a tour of Europe would be very cool!
Jas xx
Italy is somewhere I have always dreamed of going, it is such a beautiful place and hope someday to go myself!
It honestly is so beautiful, I sincerely hope that you get a chance to go!
Jas xx
It sounds like it was amazing I’m glad it lived up to your expectations! I’ve never been and would love to visit Italy as I’ve heard so many good things. Another on my list is California!
Ooo my friend just did a semester in California and it looked absolutely amazing, I’d love to check it out too!
Jas xx
That sounds amazing! My university do a study abroad programme in Cali so I may look into that!
Sounds like you had an amazing trip! The photographs are beautiful. What a brilliant way to start your 21st birthday! I would love to go to New York with my family! Thank you for sharing xxx
Thank you so much for reading, and yeah honestly New York would be amazing!
Jas xx
I love this post, I’ve ticked Rome off of the list but really want to visit more of Italy too. I have such a long list, You’ll love Florida, Mexico and New York, they’re all amazing!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com x
Ahhh I really hope that I do, they look amazing!
Jas xx
This make me want to visit so much more!!!
I strongly recommend it!
Jas xx
Yasss hunny! My time in Sicily was one of the best of my life!
I would love to visit Sicily!
Jas xx
This is hilarious because I had the same thoughts when I finally went to my dream place – Paris.
It’s crazy how many similar thoughts we share. I love it.
•Bree
letsbebreef.com/blog
Awwww it’s lovely to hear that you had the same thoughts with Paris!
Jas xx
My best friend of 8 years is Italian, her family are so welcoming, the language is so beautiful and the FOOD at her house has always been incredible!! We went and stayed in her Grandmas beach house in Sicily after our GCSEs for 10 days and my obsession with Italy began then. Since I’ve been to Rome, Venice and Cinque Terre. Jake and I are planning a mini break for our 5 year anniversary to possibly Rome if I’m well enough after surgery and then looking at Sorrento next year when I can hopefully properly do Pompeii as he’s never been to an Italian city, only for skiing! I agree that it’s so romantic and beautiful and I just can’t get enough of it!
Alice Xx
Oooo Sicily is also on my list but I forgot! It is so romantic, and I’d love to go back with my boyfriend! You’ve explored/are exploring quite a lot of Italy and I love it!
Jas xx
Your trip sound a amazing!!! I love the photos! I love Italy and really want to explore more of it xxx
Thank you! It really was amazing, and I want to explore more of it too
Jas xx
As an Italian girl of course I loved this post!
Awwww yay I’m glad!
Jas xx
Did you go on your own?! If so, WOW. I’d love to do a trip on my own someday. I’m so glad you got to tick somewhere off and that it lived up to your expectations! I’m eager to go to Copenhagen too! xxx
I didn’t go on my own, I ended up going with my parents and sister but I would absolutely LOVE to go travelling on my own some time! Yeah I was so happy that it lived up to my expectations 🙂
Jas xx
Italy is such a beautiful country. I’ve visited Venice and Verona, and I’m heading out to Milan next week. I’d love to go to Rome though, the history seems so interesting.
Megan // pixieskiesblog.wordpress.com
Oooo Verona is also one that I’d love to visit!
Jas xx
It sounds like you had an amazing trip and it’s so great that Italy lived up to your expectations and you weren’t let down. I really want to go on a month long (or more) trip and just travel around Europe. I’ve never been out of the US and Europe has always intrigued me, especially all of the beautiful architecture.
It really did, thank you so much! A month long trip around Europe sounds beautiful!
Jas xx
I went to Italy for the first time this year and absolutely loved it! The food is amazing, I ate my body weight in pizza and pasta and had no regrets. We visited Sicily and now I have the taste to explore more of Italy – Venice and Rome are on my list. I’d love to visit Bali and New York too! Fab post Jas <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Thanks so much Bexa! I also ate my bodyweight in carbs too, with no regrets!
Jas xx
Beautiful pictures! I went on a school trip there so would love to go back to be able to experience it properly. It’s great that is surpassed your expectations – and I bet that has left you really buzzing for travelling as well! Great post!
Thank you so much!
Jas xx
Italy is somewhere I’ve always wanted to go, it looks and sounds so amazing!
It honestly was!
Jas xx
I’ve never been to Italy but my husband has and said it’s brilkiant. I’ve been to New York twice though and it’s fabulous.
Rachael | https://rachaelstray.com
You should most definitely go, your husband is right!
Jas xx
My husband and I did Rome three years back and we too were blown away by Rome’s architecture and history. I’m so glad it was everything you had ever dreamed of and more :’) if you get chance to do New York you’ll absolutely love it! x x
It’s so beautiful isn’t it?! Yeah, I really hope I get the chance to do New York!
Jas xx
Aw your pictures look amazing! Italy is one of my favourite countries, I’ve visited Milan and Venice and loved them so much. Rome is next on my list!! Plus the food in Italy is to die for ?
amerzwithlove.com
I am so booking this for my next trip! It looks like you had the best time … x
Ahhhh hope you have the best time, it honestly was so great!
Jas xx
I would love to visit Italy it looks so beautiful. It looks like you had an amazing trip and I’m so glad it was everything you wanted it to be!
Thank you! It was so amazing!
Jas xx
What an amazing birthday present! You had me so nervous when you compared it to meeting your idols. I thought you were about to say you hated it, then I was going to have a major tantrum because Rome is the best place on earth. I was 15 the first time I went, it was my first big European city and nowhere else has come close to matching my experience. I think my mum took me to the wrong place first because Barcelona, Paris, Venice, Madrid and more all did nothing for me afterwards. Granada comes in second place for me, add that to your list… I’m so glad you had an amazing time! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Hahah sorry for making you nervous! I absolutely loved it and can see why you hold every other place to such high standards! Oooo I will most definitely check out Granada!
Jas xx
I would love to go to Italy!! So awesome that it lived up to your expectations. I’ve never been to Europe at all before, unless you count a layover at an airport, which I don’t haha!! But I would love to go to Spain or Greece or Italy…. so many beautiful places I’ve yet to see. Hope you get around to visiting everywhere you want to at some point! Lovely post 🙂
Thank you so much, I hope you get the chance to explore Europe at some point!
Jas xx
I’m so pleased it was everything you wanted it to be, I’ve heard such amazing things about Italy!
Alys
Thank you so much! Honestly, Italy is absolutely amazing
Jas xx
Glad it was everything you dreamed of- we’re hoping to make it someday!!!!
I hope that you do!
Jas xx
Italy is my favourite place in the world! The food, the history and the people are just incredible!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
It was honestly so amazing!
Jas xx
That’s awesome and the pics on IG are absolutely beautiful – next time pack me in your bag LOL!! you definitely got to come to Florida next – experience of a lifetime!!
Haha thank you, I absolutely loved it! I would absolutely LOVE to go to Florida!
Jas xx
So glad you like Rome, I loved it! Can recommend Milan and Amsterdam also so hope you get to check them out!
Thank you! I hope that I get a chance to check them out too!
Jas xx
Love your post, I only wish there was more pictures. Italy is our neighbor country to me and I hope to visit it next year or maybe the year after.that.
You should definitely go! Also, next time I’ll add more pictures 😉
Jas xx
These photos are gorgeous! I came back from Italy two weeks ago and absolutely loved it, glad you enjoyed your trip x
Megan x
meganatkinsonslife.org
Thank you so much! Yeah I can see why you loved it too, it’s so lovely!
Jas xx
Italy is on my list too! I really need to go! Such a great post!
I hope that you love it if you end up going!
Jas xx