What’s a country that’s at the top of your bucket list?
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As I’ve mentioned here on the blog before, I don’t travel much. At least, not nearly as much as I’d like to. Part of that comes down to being a complete novice when it comes to traveling abroad. But I have a feeling getting out into the world is something Sierra is going to push me to start changing. In fact, we already have a trip planned to Las Vegas for next February.
Still, if there’s one country at the absolute top of my bucket list—the next major destination I’d love to experience—it’s Italy.
In a weird way, it feels like picking up right where I left off in Europe after visiting France back in high school. Because French and Italian are both Romance languages with similar sentence and word structures, I’d like to think I could pick up on the basics fairly quickly. But more than anything, going to Europe as a 50-something adult is a completely different ballgame than seeing it through the eyes of a 16-year-old high school sophomore.
When I picture Italy, I want the full experience: the food, the architecture, and the sheer weight of history. I want to stand in Rome, walk among the ancient ruins, and explore the Vatican. I’m a non-practicing Catholic, but the history, art, and massive scale of the Vatican has always fascinated me.
Now, if I had to skip one heavily hyped region, it’d probably be Tuscany. I know it’s the idyllic, sun-drenched backdrop for every romantic comedy ever made, but missing out on the rolling vineyards wouldn’t be the end of the world for me if it meant more time taking in the historic heart of the country.
What makes Italy top-of-mind right now, though, isn’t just a random daydream. Sierra and her mom are actually planning a trip there for next spring. She even asked if I wanted to come along.
As much as I would love to say yes, reality gets in the way. I don’t currently have a passport, and between the cost of an international trip and working through ongoing financial obligations—like back child support, which creates its own legal hurdles when applying for a passport—it’s just not in the cards for me right now.
So for now, Italy remains at the top of the bucket list. It’s a reminder of where I’d like to go, both geographically and in life, even if the road to get there is taking a little longer than I’d like.
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The article “Where to Next? (And Why It’s Italy)” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.
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