When I told my friends and family about our spring trip to Italy, I was (surprisingly) met with some concern. “You’re planning too much for just ten days.” “Maybe you should pick either northern or southern Italy.” “You’re going to have some long travel days in there.” To be fair, it was my boyfriend and I’s first trip to Europe, and our eagerness to experience as much as possible took precedence over logistics. But we made it work, and it ended up being one of the most incredible vacations we’ve taken so far.
We spent the first couple of days in Rome, checking all the must-see spots off our list: a Colosseum tour, a brief (and very crowded) walk past the Trevi Fountain—you know exactly what I mean if you’ve been—a visit to Vatican City, and an unforgettable evening at an AS Roma soccer game.
From there, we made our way to Praiano, a small coastal town built into rocky cliffs between Amalfi and Positano. The weather was sunny, breezy and perfect, especially with the summer crowds still weeks away. We spent our days exploring neighboring towns, shopping and trying everything from pizza to octopus, limoncello and gelato. My boyfriend even braved the chilly Mediterranean waters for what he insisted was a “refreshing” swim (you can take the man out of New England, but not the New England out of the man).
Next came our longest travel day, journeying from the Amalfi Coast to the Chianti region of Tuscany. It consisted of a 90-minute taxi, an hour-plus train ride, a stop at a rental car company and then nearly a five-hour drive to our next Airbnb, complete with the usual delays and roadblocks. It was a lot, but it was completely worth it.
Tuscany greeted us with serene landscapes and some of the best meals we’ve ever had. We drove through rolling green hills lined with olive trees and vineyards, wandered through centuries-old towns and enjoyed a wine tasting and history lesson in Siena. Each meal—whether it was local meats, cheeses, pasta dishes or steak and fresh vegetables—was paired with incredible wines we’re still trying to track down back home. After the energy of Rome and the constant stair climbing along the coast, Tuscany offered the perfect balance of exploration and relaxation.
Looking back, I have zero regrets. Yes, there were long travel days, but we experienced so much of what Italy has to offer, from the city to the coast to the countryside. And in many ways, it felt like we only scratched the surface, leaving us eager to go back.
Whether it’s another country, another state or another town, stepping away from daily life to explore somewhere new offers a refreshing perspective. This trip reminded me just how big the world is and how much there is to see beyond our everyday routines. If you’ve been dreaming about your next getaway, consider this your sign to make it happen. And if cost has been holding you back, a limited-time BrightBridge vacation loan can help turn those plans into reality. It’s designed to make travel more accessible, so you don’t have to wait to experience something unforgettable. Start planning your next adventure today: https://www.brightbridge.com/vacation
Category: Borrowing Money
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When I told my friends and family about our spring trip to Italy, I was (surprisingly) met with some concern. “You’re planning too much for just ten days.” “Maybe you should pick either northern or southern Italy.” “You’re going to have some long travel days in there.” To be fair, it was my boyfriend and I’s first trip to Europe, and our eagerness to experience as much as possible took precedence over logistics. But we made it work, and it ended up being one of the most incredible vacations.
