Family time in Italy

by Darren Humphreys

My story of Italy began when I was 21, backpacking around the country by train. Since that introduction, I have been fortunate to return many times—some for extended periods. There are myriad regions and experiences including: shopping in Milan; art in Florence; the living museum that is Rome; romance in Venice; and adventures in Positano. There are also the Trulli cones of Puglia, the snow-capped mountains of the Dolomites, and the distinct cultures of Sardinia and Sicily. Each visit has allowed me to unveil hidden gems and build personal relationships. 
 
My latest escursione was spending the month of June with my family of four in a remote Tuscan villa surrounded by rolling hills lined with spired cypress, olive groves, and vineyards. Being anchored in this location allowed for excursions to Arezzo, San Gimignano, Florence, and many country villages that we will keep under wraps for you! Darren and I smiled watching our boys try buffalo mozzarella from the neighboring farm (where you had to show up at 4 pm sharp or the day’s supply was gone!), make gelato with Massimo, order “tagliatelle ragu per favore”, dress as gladiators in the coliseum, and buzz around Rome in a golf cart.
 
It did not take long for our family to adopt the Italian way of life—our pace slowed, we succumbed to café culture, shopped daily markets, and hiked nearby hills covered with wildflowers (while singing songs from the Sound of Music). I personally took time to sit in the magnificent churches, where I spent time becoming comfortable with only my thoughts echoing through the cool, dark space. This pausa italiana re-centered us, connected us as a family, and transitioned us from the end of the school year to the start of our fun, yet frenetic, summer schedule. 

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