ZAP Wanderlust: Roman Vacation

OK, Chicagoans. We’ve hit that time of year where the days after days of grey skies and bitter temps have me seriously questioning why I make this city of ours home. Seriously, you forget what blue skies and sun even look like during our brutal winters here! So needless to say, I’ve got a case of wanderlust, especially given all the beautiful, warm weather the Zap LA offices are having. Lucky for me, I’m also in the process of planning a honeymoon to Italy for next winter, which has been the perfect distraction to get me through the season! My fiancé and I are planning to tour Venice, Florence and Tuscany, Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with a stop for a slice of pizza, or ten, in Naples on the way.

Here’s what I’m most looking forward to: 1. The food. I was lucky enough to visit Rome and Florence when I was studying abroad in college and had made it my goal to eat my way through all of Europe while I was there for 6 months. Italy was no exception. There, I got to take a cooking class and indulge in bowls of pasta and my favorite ribolita, fresh cheeses and homemade breads, and ALL the pizza. While in Florence, a friend and I ventured to one restaurant, Ciro & Sons, where my best friend from home had become a regular while abroad the year before, and I swear after eating pear pasta and blueberry steak until our hearts were content and stomachs full, we started to cry that our meal was over. I cannot wait to enjoy it all once again.

2. The lifestyle. There’s something about the European lifestyle that us Americans just do not have down. Long leisurely lunches filled with delicious food, great wine and fantastic company? I cannot wait to spend our days leisurely exploring old cities, strolling through the piazzas and taking our time to enjoy our time together in such a wonderful country, and yes, we will be taking those long leisurely lunches with enough food and wine for ten, just the two of us. As the saying goes, when in Rome! 3. The history. I am a closeted history buff. In school, I always loved American history and the Roman Empire best. I’ve always been fascinated by the depth of Europe’s history and I find myself captivated while standing in front of something over 2,000 years old. You should have seen me in Greece!

4. My husband. It is weird to say now but by the time we go on this trip my fiancé will be my husband…and here I was just getting used to calling him my fiancé! Ben’s never been to Europe and I cannot wait to see his face when he first sees the Colosseum, St Peter’s Square, The Trevi Fountain, St. Marks Square, The Ponte Vecchio and so much more.

Carly Holstein, Senior Publicist

Images via Lonely Planet