Does anyone miss Italy?
 

I just came back from my first trip to Italy last week and I miss it terribly. I felt at home there. Does anyone else miss it as much as I do?

I just came back from Italy Tuesday, but it's still with me since I brought back an Italian flu as a souvenir :(

Seriously, I love Italy, and I think about it between trips. I tend to miss certain parts of Italy. Other parts are beautiful and intersting and I enjoy them while there, but I don't necessarily feel the same emotional pull. For example, on this trip I was in northern Italy only, and I missed Sicily. I called a cousin in Sicily, and when he asked me whether I was coming to visit and I told him that I couldn't this time and that I missed Sicily, I really meant it.

Boy, do I!!!! I've been backed since mid-July and I still miss it! I look for as many books as possible taking place in Italy. I watch movies that take place in Italy and when the attack is really bad, I pull out the video that my friend took while we were there!

Italy definitely gets to people, I'm already planning my next trip to Italy.

cmt, you brought a lovely Italian souvenir home as well? We've been home three weeks; two of which laid me low! Nonetheless, I'm rarin' to go back. Italy is well deserving of the high praise heaped upon it. The scenery is jaw-dropping, the food is mouth-watering, and the jewel of Italy, its people, are the best on earth!

Yes, I miss Italy.

I love visiting Italy, but I don't think I could live there unless I was very, very wealthy.

Yes, I miss Italy with all of my heart. I have to so many places around the world and no place else is in my heart like Italy.

I am a bit obsessed about it, interestingly enough, I too read books, look at pictures, grab whatever I can find, come home from a trip there and start planning the next one before I am even off of the plane. My co-workers don't even ask me where I am going on vacation they just ask when are you going back?

I spent this weekend painting my house to look Italian......yes I miss Italy

All the time. It makes me smile just to think about it. I find a food fix helps a bit -- fresh tomatoes from the farmers market, pecorino, fresh basil, or maybe some figs wrapped in prosciutto. I've been reading more about Italian Renaissance art also -- so much more meaningful when you've seen the art or architecture.

Si, Si, Si, Si.....MOLTO!!!! :-( Sono molto trista. I was there 6 weeks in August and September and hate returning to the States. I am already planning my return trip in March! Can't get enough of that wonderful country!

Yes, and I'm not even Italian...don't speak the language...but LOVE everything Italian...food, people, the joy of life (what's that french expression?), even like the crazy drivers!!!

Reminders of Italy:

http://www.infonegocio.com/xeron/bruno/italy.html

One more person who came home with flu from Italy.

I have been back for three weeks and keep telling my husband that I am "homesick" for Italy. Check out Good Morning America today and tomorrow (oct. 13/14), they are in Rome. Maybe it will give you a fix.

The good news is that there is a cure for that....START PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP!!:-D

Ira: The friend I spent several days with in Italy says it's an Italian flu. He says many of his co-workers are sick (he's not). On the other hand, in my case I was reckless and was the only person who stayed outside on the top deck for most of a long boat ride last Sunday when it was cold, drizzly and extremely windy, and maybe the shock of all that cold wind zapped my immune system. I also think exposure to cigarette smoke can lessen immunity (at least in my case it always does). But anyway, we had our trips. Better to be sick at home than while on vacation, right?

I miss it like a best friend. I've been going every year since '95 and unfortunately, it doesn't get any easier. This year I couldn't go-a bad intersection of time and money-and I almost ache for it.
I usually fill the time helping friends plan for their first trip (I'm doing two trips right now), but that is making it worse. Sometimes looking at my stacks of photographs helps-being able to relive the stories-but now it just makes me sadder. Reading books about or that take place in isn't working; not even my Italian classes.
What with all this talk of flu, maybe it's something they put in the water! :-)
Anyway-it's wonderful to find people who share this feeling here at Fodor's.

Wow, all the responses! I'm glad I'm not alone in missing Italy so much. I would even go so far as that I get depressed. To help, I will live like an Italian, eat Italian food and watch Italian movies, and, plan my next trip.

Just got home last night with a horrible cold as a souvenir, none the less, had a wonderful time and will probably miss it once I get over my jet lag and realize I'm not it Italy anymore!!!

Just got back three weeks ago. Not a day goes by that I don't think about Italy. We feel more comfortable there than anywhere else in Europe or many places in the U.S. for that matter. Already planning another trip for next year. We just may go back every year until we either get it out of our system or get too old to leave the house.

Very, very much.

BC

I was going to let it go but after watching "Under the Tuscan Sun" I decided to work on my 3rd trip this time - so Prague can wait!

In response to the original question........All the time!

back from italy since end of sept and yes we miss it. there is a definity flu or very severe cold bug going around there for the last 3-4 weeks. its a bute as i can attest to but would head back in a new york minute. whats not to like

My Heart will be always there...I miss Italy IMMENSELY!!!!

cmt,

Thanks for the webbsite!! I laughed so much...Grazie, merci,
kismet

Well, I am glad to read this thread, I seem to be in good company, at least I am not the only one over the top over Italy and I am not even of Italian heritage.

It is something about Italy that got to me the first time I visited Europe. I had started a European trip with friends in Austria which really didn't impress me that much, I was even thinking about cutting my trip short.

Then we took the train down to Venice and when I got off of the train and walked out of the station (well, I still get goose bumps thinking about it and I remember it like it was yesterday) some men were singing, people were laughing, kids were playing ball, gondolas were sweeping by....and I fell in love. I said to my friends, now this is a different story and I have returned once or twice a year ever since 1980.

I know some people do not care for Italy, but I love it like a lover, when I land at the airport something comes over me and I embrace the whole experience and I miss it when I am not there.

Yes, I just got back from buying terribly expensive prosciutto to have with some melone. I particularly miss Siena and, unfortunately, don't think I'll be back for some time (have to get those children through school!) So, please keep those trip reports coming so I can live vicariously!

I went to Italy for the first time in '97 and have been back every year.I always catch myself when I talk with friends because I hear myself.."in Italy this...in Italy that"...I must really be annoying! I treasure every purchase that I have made there..they remind me of my visits and I really love the pesto, olive oil and wine that I bring home. When I run out..it is time to return!! Long way to grocery shop..but hey..you only live once!! I truly adore Italy.

nocinonut, that is so lovely: "I love it like a lover". And when I land in Italy I find myself smiling for no reason, except the joy of being there.

Nocinonut, you described it perfectly "missing it like a lover." That's exactly how I feel, like I left my lover there.

Allison, your post reminds me of my experience. I first went in 97, too, and have been back every year but 98. Never thought about that until your post. And, just got back Sunday night. Could not miss more but was so glad to have the opportunity to visit again.

Interesting coincidence, there is an article in this morning's LATimes, which says, that she does. :-B

Being a member of the group that watches movies and reads books to travel to Italy via imagination, I have some favorites to recommend. The first two take place in Venice - movie "Dangerous Beauty" and novel "Vaporetto 13" by Robert Girardi. Girardi also has a collection of short stories, one of which takes place in Naples - the collection is "A Vaudeville of Devils," and the short story is, I think, "Sundays at the Contessa's" or something like that... The mix of Italy and romance always helps me imagine my way back.

Arrived home late last night. No illness. Just that feeling of being misplaced. Heart in Italy, can't get enough, think about it with longing a lot. Yeah! Like being in love. I'll plan to return when the olive oil from Lucca runs out. Soon, because we put it on just about everything. Thanks for all your thoughts which echo mine. Ciao.

missed it so much I moved back there for a year. Now I'm back in the states with a ticket to return at the end of December! can't wait!