Our Italy Story
In just a few days, Ron and I will board another flight to Italy.
But this trip is different.
We’re not returning to explore another village or plan our next vacation. We’re returning to sign papers, receive a set of keys, and become homeowners in Tuscany.
Even as I write those words, they still don’t quite seem real.
The funny thing is, our Italy story didn’t begin with buying a home. It began years earlier with a simple question.
“I wonder what it would be like to own a little place in Italy?”
At the time, it was simply a fun conversation. One of those dreams you toss around because it’s exciting to imagine, not because you truly expect it to happen.
Our love story with Italy actually began in 2018 during a Mediterranean cruise.
Like many cruise passengers, we only had a few short hours in each port. Just enough time to wander beautiful streets, enjoy incredible food, admire centuries-old architecture, and experience a glimpse of everyday life before heading back to the ship.
Those glimpses left us wanting more, so we came back.
Over the next several years, our trips became less about checking famous landmarks off a list and more about experiencing Italy itself. We found ourselves slowing down, wandering through villages we’d never heard of before, lingering in local cafés, and discovering places that rarely make it into the guidebooks.
As we became more comfortable traveling through Italy, we started renting a car instead of relying solely on trains and public transportation. That simple change opened up a whole new side of Tuscany. We could take the scenic route, stop whenever a village caught our attention, and explore places we never would have discovered otherwise.
Before long, Tuscany had completely captured our hearts.
There was something about the rolling hills, vineyards, cypress-lined roads, medieval villages, and breathtaking views around every corner that kept drawing us back. Every trip ended the same way—we wished we had just a little more time.
That little question about owning a home in Italy never completely disappeared. It stayed with me.
I spent countless evenings scrolling through Idealista, saving apartment listings I was sure we’d never buy. Looking back now, I laugh at how many homes I bookmarked over the years simply because I loved imagining what life there might be like.
If I’m being honest, this dream started with me.
Ron loved Italy every bit as much as I did. He loved our trips together and looked forward to every opportunity to return. But the idea of actually owning a home there felt much bigger to him than it did to me.
At first, I don’t think he realized I wasn’t just dreaming anymore. I was trying to figure out if this dream could actually become our reality.
Over time, we talked through the possibilities—the finances, what this season of our lives might look like, and whether owning a home in Italy was something we could truly make happen.
Then, in November of 2025, while traveling through Tuscany with my son, Cooper, I wandered into a small medieval hilltop town that immediately felt different.
I can’t explain exactly why.
I just knew I wanted Ron to see it.
A few months later, we returned together. This time, we weren’t simply exploring.
We were looking at homes.
And somewhere during those visits, something changed. It wasn’t just my dream anymore.
Little by little, it became our dream.
Every Story Has a Beginning
Looking back, I’ve realized that dreams rarely happen all at once.
They’re usually built one small decision at a time.
One conversation.
One trip.
One sacrifice.
One saved dollar.
One listing.
One “maybe.”
Until one day you realize you’re no longer imagining the life.
You’re living it.
In the weeks ahead, I’d love to invite you along on this journey—not just the story of buying a home in Italy, but the years that led us there.
The homes we almost bought.
The one we walked away from.
The one we unexpectedly circled back to.
The lessons we’ve learned.
The mistakes we’ve made.
And the countless moments that convinced us this dream was worth pursuing.
Because while our address may be new, this story began a long time ago.
And as it turns out…
…sometimes you really do have to circle back.
I hope you’ll come along for the journey.
Until next time,
Tina
This is only the beginning…
