Christmas Holiday in Italy

Lifelong travel dreams can come true.  The first step towards that dream is often the hardest (at least for me) because that means once I take that first step, I am committed to the project until it is complete, whether it is travel or not.  

Once that first small step towards a dream holiday is accomplished, the following actions don't seem insurmountable because you know you can just focus on a tiny step at a time.  One of these "bucket-list" travel dreams of mine has been to experience a European Christmas.  

Being a first-generation Canadian, my European roots are close to me.  Germany is near and dear to my heart.  Bratwurst & sauerkraut dinner on Christmas Eve, followed by opening gifts? You bet!   It became a point of contention with my ex-husband because he was very attached to his British Christmas traditions.    This is why our family's spiritual focus had always been on Winter Solstice and spending quiet moments of gratitude for the return of the sun and the longer days ahead.

This year is going to be different.  I am going to fulfill a lifelong dream by spending a  European Christmas In Italy!  I will fly into Rome on Christmas night and spend time with my dear friends Sara and Tomasso.  Then I will rent a car and travel the ancient Roman Road called the "Via Flaminia" North to Umbria.  Umbria is called the "Green Heart" of Italy, and traditional life remains very strong in this Region.  Following along the Via Flaminia to its end at the Adriatic Coast, I will celebrate the arrival of the New Year with my close friend Giulia in Riccione. 

Continuing North along the Adriatic Coast, I will spend the last days of my Italian travels in Venice with Giulia.

Christmas food and wine in Italy have solid traditions, and I will be celebrating in four Regions: Lazio, Umbria, Emilia-Romania and Veneto.  Each Region has different Provincial specialties that I am excited to try, including some of the best wine in Italy.  Umbria is also known as the land of the Saints: St. Francis, St. Ciarra, St. Benedict and St. Valentine are all Umbrian.  The misty mountains of Umbria will provide me with some beauty for my eyes, food for my soul, and some incredible nourishment for my body!

This European Christmas dream doesn't seem that big of a challenge, right?  Well, it's not that simple.  My teenage son does not want to come along with me this Christmas holiday.   He just wants a break from school.  The kind of travel I do is not considered a vacation by many peoples' standards; it's more of  "travelling" than "holiday," and there is a difference.  So I agreed to let Liam stay at home because he's 16 now after all, and I will have family stay with him overnight.
Now, some of you may be thinking: how can you leave your only son at home alone for Christmas!?!  Yes, it is very tough, but this is his choice, and I want to honour it and make space for him to assert his independence.  

So this year, instead of Christmas gifts (no time spent in the mall), holiday entertaining and dinners (no cooking stress and no mess to clean),  I will give myself the gift of romance & adventure.  I will be accompanied on my journey of discovery by my dear friends in Italy who are fellow world travellers, and I will meet some new friends and hope they will become part of my global family.

I hope you decide to join me on my Christmas trip because the more you come along, the merrier the trip will be!

Buon Natale to all from Gypsy Monika🎄