The ironic side about working at ATI Tours is that I have not been to 80% of the places I send people to. This means that my very Aussie colleague Jenny ends up knowing much more than I do when it comes to the touristy spots. Over the two years I’ve been working here, I must admit I've developed an ever-growing interest in my homeland. I often disregarded it when I was living there. I never thought of taking a day trip to Bellagio for instance during my dull years in Milan. As a matter of fact it wasn’t until this past November that I actually went to Venice and remembered going there (my parents claim they took me there when I was five but all that’s stuck in my mind is that the place stank big time). I was amazed by this city. How incredibly genius must have they been to conceive building a whole town on water?
My visit to Venice was really magical. There were very few people and tourists around although the weather was perfect and I must say balmy considering that it was almost wintertime. It was misty and foggy at night, everything was dimly lit and a bit eerie. I absolutely loved it.
So, my resolution for the next trips to Italy is to actually go and visit places, experience them, although for twenty-something-years I’ve had them at my door-step and didn’t even bother considering them as holiday destinations.
See, the thing is since I was a kid I’ve always had an unexplained attraction to everything that was far away and remote – theory proven by my current location – which is why I’ve done quite some traveling abroad but I haven’t really seen much of my patria. I kinda regret it now, and ironically I do send heaps of people to those places!
This is why I decided I am going to draw a list of all places I really want to go to over the next years. Every time I’ll go visit my family – seldom I’m afraid – I want to tick some off the list. One by one, little by little, you watch me if I don’t do it!
Now, my super-informed colleague Jenny happens to carry with her the Italy Lonely Planet wherever she goes which makes it very easy for me to nick it every now and again. This list will be very thorough and organized, I’m telling you.
Rome – now, I’ve only been to Rome for few hours, twice, both times to see concerts and never stayed overnight. Yes, I went to Rome for the day from Cuneo. It’s like Sydney – Byron Bay – Sydney. Not so funny, no. Ola knows Rome so well and to tell you the truth I really hope she’ll move there cos she’d love it and I’d finally love to go visit her (she' still in the UK - NC). There’s something about this city which is simply unique and breathtaking. Especially away from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, Rome is at her best. I love Trastevere with those little osterie and narrow streets. At least a week of solid sightseeing is what this city deserves, honestly.
Genova – I’ve been to Genova a few times and absolutely loved it. Most people hate it with a passion: I thought those carrugi were cute as. Plus my friend Federica lives there now and I we have some catching up to do, trust me!
Ligurian villages – I’ve only stopped in Camogli cos I fell asleep on the train and thought I was in La Spezia so I got off at the wrong stop. It was nice but I was not into exploring the village that day. In Santa Margherita Ligure I thought I’d found the love of my life but then he dumped three days later so I’m not sure I really want to go back there I’m afraid. I’d like to stay in Rapallo just to see what it’s like. And if I'' ever go in September I’ll go with Laura to Lerici and Le Cinque Terre – after all I didn’t appreciate them when I went there a few years ago, I really didn’t know people knew about these five small villages. I was not impressed to tell you the truth.
The Lakes – if I can nick my dad’s car - which is always the case - I’d be really cool to stay in Stresa, Cannero, Locarno, Lugano, Como, Varenna and Bellagio. Those places are cold as fuck in winter (at least compared to Oz… which is now redefining the concept I had of cold and hot). It would be a nice week trip from where I’m from I reckon. And next time I decide I wanna turn 12 again and I’ll drag myself to Gardaland I want to stay in Sirmione.
Tuscany deserves attention. I have just finished drawing up and confirming the itinerary for my dad’s trip in August and I’m a bit jealous. He’s going to all the places I wish I went. Kicking off in Lucca (Lucca Jazz festival: why didn’t I go, why???), then Florence, Siena, and all the cute little villages of Chianti like Radda, Poggibonsi, Asciano, Greve but also down to Pienza, Montepulciano, Arezzo and Cortona. I so wish I did go there. Most importantly, knowing the right places to stay the night, it would be so enjoyable.
I always only drove through Umbria. I drove in the sun, in the snow, in the snow again, in the rain, at night and in the fog. I didn’t see shit. I could spend ten days hopping from one town to another and spending the night in that little hamlet on top of that hill. Perugia, Assisi, Gubbio, Todi, Orvieto, Bevagna are on top of my list.
I have never even flown over the South of Italy (and by South I mean Rome down). I am a bit ashamed of that, actually. My gay twin friends D&A (that's funny!!) are from Naples and have a house in Ischia, so that could be a nice place to start off. I obviously wanna get ripped off in Capri and climb up the Vesuvius. Deep inside me there’s that geeky Luca that really wants to go to Pompei, Herculaneum and Paestum so I will have to pacify him somehow. Drinking limonecello (my mum’s obviously) and enjoying il dolce far niente in Positano and Amalfi is also on top of my list. La Reggia di Caserta is supposed to be extremely beautiful – when it’s not burning down - so that could be another one.
I don’t know much about Puglia but Gab grew up in Lecce, so I could use him as a guide – if I ever manage to have him leave London for a few days. I really would love to go to Ostuni, Trani, Alberobello and… Matera (which is Basilicata I think, but it’s close enough!). Matera is – at least by Australians – overlooked by tourists in my opinion, which sucks cos it’s a unique place carved out on the mountain side. How genius!
Sicily deserves attention as well. I don’t consider Sicily to be part of Italy (hold on, let me explain) because its core values and traditions are unlike any other Italian regions: it’s a world by itself. Which for me equals going overseas! It’s on top of my list – although I mention it last. I don’t even know where to begin, I’d love to see all of it, including, and especially, the Aeolian Islands! And if you’re a tourist Sicilians are the kindest souls, so I can’t wait to ask my boss (a native) all the top places I should explore.
Someone recently hinted at the fact that I am not patriotic or I am not proud of being Italian. I truly love my country, it’s the land I was born in, it’s where I drew my values, my traditions, my language, my everything. I always will be proud of being Italian but I must admit I am sad sometimes when I think of Italy. It’s just not the place that it is in my dreams and its reality – and people – are not what everybody believes they are. The direction my country has taken is something I do not feel like being part of, I want to steer away from that. That’s partly the reason why I left. I do not belong there anymore. I miss it at times and I brag about our food (which is indeed the best I’m afraid), our dialects, our words but it’s not my place.
The fact that even my dad’s considering relocating to France (which from where he lives is just a short drive away) I think is indicative of how this “phenomenon” is widespread. That’s why I said I’m sad when I think of my country – I don’t see as bright a future as it would deserve, which sucks – and I really prefer to return as seldom as possible - that and the 22-plus-hour flight would put you off too, trust me. Nevertheless I wonder what it is that attracts me and I find enticing about it. I think it’s just because it’s the most beautiful place in the world. Indeed, bellissima!