THE LIFE EDITORIAL

TRAVEL BLOG: ITALY ROADTRIP 2024 – PART 1 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

READ ABOUT IT IN OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE:

YPHS – TRAVEL EDITION – ITALY ROAD TRIP 2024

For this travel blog, I decided to break my journey into a seven-part series. The first part is a full summary—sharing the inspiration behind this trip—while the remaining parts will highlight each place we stayed and the experiences we had.

When writing about travel, some prefer to give a complete itinerary, which is great for those looking for a step-by-step guide. But I know that not every trip is designed for everyone. Breaking down each destination individually might inspire someone to visit just one or two of these places and weave them into their own adventure.

The Best Time to Visit Italy: A Different Experience Every Season

If there’s one thing I’d recommend when planning a trip to Italy, it’s that you’ll never see it the same way twice—trust me. Every month offers something unique, and the difference between visiting during peak summer months versus the off-season (October to May) is like experiencing two completely different versions of the country.

The off-season allows you to see Italy without the overwhelming crowds of tourists. Once the high season ends, it’s fascinating to observe how many people from other parts of Europe fly in just for the weekend—Italy is only a short plane ride away for them. Beyond that, the country comes alive with festivals, cultural events, and seasonal experiences that often go unnoticed by summer travelers.

I’ve spent entire summers in Italy, soaking up the sun at the beach, and to be honest, if you’re visiting in July or August, I’d save you the trouble of planning an itinerary—just head straight to the coast. Traveling between cities during the summer can be unbearably hot, with limited air conditioning in many places. The sea truly becomes your best friend.

However, visiting during the off-season? That’s when you get to see the heart and soul of Italy in its purest form. The cooler weather makes it the perfect time to explore, road trip, and experience the country’s landscapes without the summer chaos.

This road trip that my friend and I conquered took place in October—an absolutely incredible month to visit. The weather was comfortable, the crowds were minimal, and the changing seasons gave each destination an extra touch of beauty.

What if I told you there’s no wrong place to visit in Italy?

What if I told you that you could literally plan a trip to Italy by playing eenie-meenie-miney-mo with a map?
No matter where you fly into, no matter which town you land in, you’re bound to experience something unforgettable.

Italy was never “created” as a travel destination—it simply became one. Think about it. People once traveled across continents in search of new land, power, and conquest, shaping history through wars and broken empires. Now, in 2025, we cross oceans for a different reason—to explore, to indulge, to escape. Sometimes, I laugh when reading history books, wondering if those people fighting for their land ever imagined that one day, people would come here just to relax.

In November 2024, I returned to Italy—this time, bringing a friend along for the ride. And what a ride it was.

When planning the trip, I wanted to keep an open mind. I had already been to Italy 18 times, but for her, this was the first. I wanted to witness that first-time wonder through her eyes. So when she asked me where we should go, I told her, You decide.

Remember when I said you can’t go wrong in Italy? Well, this story is proof.

My friend has an incredible instinct for finding the best places—she can spot a hidden gem and the best food just by looking at pictures. And let me tell you, she did not disappoint. With no fixed itinerary, no mapped-out routes, and no agenda other than to stay in beautiful places and eat incredible food, we created a trip worth writing about.

A Fresh Pair of Eyes

I brought years of experience traveling through Italy. She brought intuition. Together, we crafted an unforgettable adventure.

We navigated our way through cities, towns, winding roads, and unexpected stops. And despite the ever-changing weather—rain, shine, heat, or cold—it never disrupted our plans. If it rained, we bought an umbrella. If it was cold, we bundled up and walked through town. If it was hot, we ate well and kept moving.

But for me, one of the highlights was simply driving.

From the hairpin curves of Lago di Garda to the chaotic streets of Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Verona, and the rolling Tuscan countryside, every road was a thrill. The tunnels cutting through mountains, the golden-hour sunsets—OH. MY. GOD. The natural beauty of this country never stops taking my breath away.

The Breakdown of Our Trip:

• 15 days
  
• 2,600 km driven
  
• 14 cities/towns
  
• 6 unique stays
  
• 2 Michelin-star restaurants
  
• Walks, talks, saunas, and cold plunges
  
• Endless cafés, cappuccinos, and croissants
  
• Unforgettable meals in some of the best restaurants
  
• And, of course… shopping (it is Italy, after all—fashion capital of the world!)
  

Finding the Best Food in Italy

Let’s talk about food. Because if there’s one thing you need to know about dining in Italy, it’s this: not all Italian food is created equal.

Many places, especially in tourist hubs, are just that—tourist traps. But once you’ve eaten across different regions, you start to develop a sixth sense for spotting the real deal. The thing is, Italy has the best ingredients—it’s how they’re cooked that makes the difference.

Take tiramisu, for example. You’d think every tiramisu would taste the same. Wrong. We had some of the best tiramisu of our lives, and I can still taste it as I write this.

Another misconception? That traveling to Italy means gaining weight from all the pizza and pasta. Here’s the truth—it’s not the food, it’s the way you eat. Overindulging too quickly? That’s not how Italians do it. My friend Nina and I were away for 15 days, and no, we didn’t eat out for every single meal. Even Italians don’t eat out every day! But this made our dining experiences even more special.

And for a first-time visitor, Nina impressed me—she found some of the best hidden gems.

The Trip’s Blueprint

Our trip was designed around two things:

1. The hotels we wanted to experience.
   
2. The food we wanted to eat.
   

With that in mind, we planned our route by starting at the furthest point—Lago di Garda—and slowly making our way back toward Rome. I knew the first drive would be the longest and toughest, especially after a nine-hour flight from Toronto to Rome, but once it was done, the rest of the trip would unfold effortlessly. Plus, stopping at an Autogrill along the way is an experience in itself.

From there, our 15-day journey began.

From Lago di Garda to Rome: A Dreamy Italian Road Trip Itinerary– Places We Stayed:

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This is just the beginning of my Italy travel series. In the upcoming posts, I’ll be diving into each stay, sharing the best meals, and giving you a closer look at what made this road trip one of my most memorable yet.

Stay tuned. 😊