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Italy and Switzerland have always been dream destinations of mine, and getting to experience them with my family for my birthday was truly the trip of a lifetime. My husband worked so hard putting this itinerary together, and honestly, it flowed so beautifully. Between flights, trains, ferries, buses, taxis, hotel check-ins, and making all the connections on time, there was definitely a lot of planning involved, but it was all so worth it.
We traveled from April 29 through May, and the weather was honestly perfect almost every single day. Even on days that called for rain, it would usually rain lightly for a little while and then clear back up beautifully.
One of the things I loved most about this trip was that once you arrived somewhere, you could truly just roam the streets and experience Italy. Every city had its own personality and beauty.
Rome — April 30–May 1
Where We Stayed
- Hotel Abruzzi in Centro Storico
What We Did
- Visited:
- Trevi Fountain
- Pantheon
- Colosseum
- Roman Forum
- Piazza Navona
- Spanish Steps
- Walked around the city and explored shops and restaurants
Rome absolutely amazed me. The history there is overwhelming in the best possible way. Looking at structures that were built over 2,000 years ago honestly makes you feel tiny. The Pantheon especially left me speechless. The structure, dimensions, and architecture are unbelievably intricate, and the fact that such engineering existed so long ago is astonishing.
The Colosseum was another experience that truly stayed with me. Seeing the grooves carved into the stone and learning how advanced their construction methods were made everything feel so alive historically.
One thing I noticed throughout Rome was how safe and clean it felt. I wore a Lululemon fanny pack across my body with my essentials and would cover it with my shirt while walking around just to be cautious, but I personally never experienced any issues with pickpocketing. The streets felt respectful and organized. I even saw a police officer tell a tourist to put his shirt back on out of respect, which honestly impressed me.
The food in Rome was incredible. Fresh bread everywhere, pizza on nearly every corner, roasted chestnuts in the streets, beautiful fruit stands, and my favorite tiramisu of the entire trip.
Transportation
- High-speed train from Rome Termini to Salerno
- Ferry/bus from Salerno to the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast — May 1–4
Where We Stayed
- Beautiful Airbnb in the Positano/Amalfi area:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6408100?unique_share_id=cd9085c7-56f9-49b1-b528-5478e9516fd5&viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76
What We Did
- Explored Positano
- Relaxed by the beach
- Visited Amalfi
- Took a ferry day trip to Capri
Amalfi completely stole my heart. Our Airbnb required climbing so many stairs, but honestly it was worth every step because the views were unreal. It definitely gave us a workout and built our glutes for those few days 😂 but waking up to those mountain and ocean views was unforgettable.
The Amalfi Coast reminded me so much of Lebanon. The homes tucked into the mountains, the lemons everywhere, the beach below, and the warm atmosphere all felt strangely familiar and comforting to me.
The pizza there was incredible, along with the lemon sorbet and seafood. I loved grabbing quick food while walking around and simply enjoying the beauty around us.
But Capri was honestly one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever visited in my life. It felt luxurious, pristine, peaceful, and almost unreal. The air felt so fresh, the homes and gardens were perfectly maintained, and every single corner looked like a postcard.
We walked through the Gardens of Augustus, which had absolutely breathtaking views overlooking the cliffs and water. We also took the bus higher up into the mountain areas to experience even more panoramic views.
If I could live anywhere from this trip, Capri might honestly be it.
Transportation
- Ferry back to Salerno
- High-speed train from Salerno to Florence
Florence & Tuscany — May 4–7
Where We Stayed
- Maxim Hotel in Florence
What We Did in Florence
- Visited Mercato Centrale
- Walked through Florence and explored the city
Florence felt artistic, warm, and full of life. Walking around there was beautiful, but Tuscany completely took my breath away.
Tuscany & Val D’Orcia Road Trip
- Rented a car and drove through Tuscany
- Stopped in Montepulciano and visited Piazza Grande
- Visited Siena and Pienza
- Explored the stunning Val D’Orcia region
Tuscany was honestly one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. Everywhere you looked was rolling farmland, vineyards, hills, and endless beauty. It almost didn’t look real.
One of my favorite memories was stopping at Coop grocery store and buying simple foods like bread, cheese, turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, snacks, and drinks. We packed everything up and sat overlooking the hills and farmland while the wind blew through the countryside. It was one of the simplest but most memorable moments of the trip.
We also visited a village with fresh flowing still and sparkling water fountains, which was such a cool experience.
At one café, I saw older men sitting outside playing cards together, and it instantly reminded me of Lebanon and my father spending time with his friends back home. There were honestly so many similarities between Italy and Lebanon in the way people lived, gathered, and enjoyed life slowly.
Chianti Cooking Class
- Took a cooking class in Chianti for my birthday
- Made fresh pasta, pesto, and gelato
- Learned about the history of gelato and the Medici family
- Spent the day overlooking beautiful Tuscan farmland
This was one of the most memorable experiences of the entire trip. I highly recommend taking a cooking class in Tuscany because it allows you to slow down, enjoy the scenery, and truly experience the culture.
Transportation
- Train from Florence to Venice
- Evening train from Venice to Milan
Venice — May 7
What We Did
- Visited:
- St. Mark’s Basilica
- Doge’s Palace
- Took a gondola ride through the canals
- Visited the famous tiramisu spot, I Tre Mercanti
- Walked through the canals and shops
Venice was beautiful and unlike anywhere else, but for us, one full day there felt perfect. We loved walking through the small streets and seeing the churches and canals everywhere.
Milan & Lake Como — May 7–9
Where We Stayed
- ODSweet Duomo Milano
What We Did in Milan
- Had dinner at the rooftop restaurant The Dome
- Explored Milan and the shopping areas
Milan felt much more modern, fashionable, and polished compared to the other cities. Everyone was dressed beautifully, the city felt extremely clean, and the shopping there was amazing.
Lake Como Tour
- Visited:
- Varenna
- Bellagio
- Lake Como
- Took a scenic boat ride through the lake towns
Lake Como was absolutely stunning. The water, mountain views, colorful towns, and peaceful atmosphere made it feel like something out of a movie.
Transportation
- High-speed train from Milan to Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne, Switzerland — May 9–11
Where We Stayed
- Radisson Hotel
What We Did
- Explored Old Town
- Visited Chapel Bridge
- Saw the Lion Monument
- Took a lake cruise
- Took a mountain excursion to Mt. Pilatus
Switzerland felt incredibly peaceful, clean, and organized. The mountain views there honestly don’t even look real in person.
Transportation
- Train from Lucerne back to Rome
Rome — May 11–12
We returned to Rome for one final evening before flying home and spent the night reflecting on how special this trip truly was for our family.
This trip created memories I know we’ll cherish forever. 🤍
