“Travel is not about the places you see, but the people who open their doors and make you feel you belong.” Unknown
One of my absolute favorite things to do when traveling abroad is to step inside a local’s home. To see how they live day to day, what their space feels like, what simmers on their stove, what photographs line their walls. It’s such an intimate and personal experience into the culture of a country. It allows a vulnerability that is so sacred and only shared between host and traveler.
Much like the United States, Italy has many regions and they are all completely different from other parts of the country. From dialect to cuisine to customs, the differences can feel striking. The North and the South aren’t just geographically distant, they’re worlds apart.
On our last night in Rome, our friend Martina invited James, Ingeborg, and me to her family home for dinner, drinks, and to play a few competitive games of Machiavelli. The table was surrounded by Italians, a Brit, a Norwegian, and an American…accents overlapping, hands gesturing (mainly by the Italians), laughter and conversation filling every inch of the beautiful outdoor space. It was the kind of evening that reminds you how small and connected the world truly is.
Being invited into their home felt like a gift. An honor. And without question, it was my favorite experience of the entire trip.
Martina’s Nonna even joined us for dinner. She is so adorable.
Their home was as warm and inviting as they were…and not to mention global! Every corner seemed to tell a story. Postcards lined the walls, magnets covered the door of the refrigerator, and snow globes sat atop a cabinet near the entry – little mementos and memories from all over the world. Some items are from their personal travels, while others have been brought to them by travelers who have stayed in their home.
On the door as you enter their home are cute little stick figures listing all of their names. ❤️ This little detail is so welcoming and opens into such a warm and inviting space filled with love…and amazing food!
In addition to the delicious food, they had prepared an absolute beautiful table setting on the balcony in the garden…complete with mood lighting.
We ate local meats, cheeses, and dishes made from family recipes. We drank wine from Isola d’Elba – an island off the West coast of Italy. They made us feel so welcome and everything was delicious.
Even the local fruit was incredibly flavorful.
Martina made the best (and I mean the absolute best) tiramisu I’ve ever eaten. It was a recipe she used from a Michelin starred restaurant she once worked at…and it was a Michelin three star dessert. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mamma Mia. 🤌
Which reminds me…I still need to get the recipe from her.
To cap off the meal – before a few highly intense and competitive games of Machiavelli – we had some very strong but good liquor, the kind that burns your throat on the way down and warms your belly, to help with digestion (or that’s what I’m telling myself). It also could have been a tactic to win at Machiavelli…one will never know.
Martina’s boyfriend, Nicco, destroyed us in several games of Machiavelli. The man did not lose one game. He is the best player I’ve ever played against…and I hope to never face him again. I’m not sure what burned more, the booze or the beating at cards.
I cannot thank Martina and her family enough for welcoming us into their home. It was such a generous, heartfelt act – one that I will carry with me for a long time. Truly, it was an honor and easily one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had in all my travels.
It’s evenings like this, gathered around a table, sharing stories, blending cultures and food, that remind me why I love to travel internationally in the first place.
Much love & gratitude. Namaste 🙏
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