You ever play that game in your head—what if you won something big? Like the lottery, or a car, or even just two free plane tickets to anywhere in the world? Well, I’ve played that game, and honey, let me tell you, I’ve got my answer locked and loaded.

If I won two free plane tickets, I wouldn’t even hesitate. I’m grabbing my cousin Jarie, booking us in Delta One (because if we’re dreaming, we’re dreaming right), and we’re flying non-stop straight to Italy for a two-week whirlwind of wine, food, culture, and unforgettable moments.

Now, let me tell you a little something about Jarie. She’s the cousin who would have my back in a bar fight, a PTA meeting, or a life crisis. She’s tough, loyal, hilarious, and full of heart. And she deserves to see more of this big ol’ blue marble we live on.

Why Italy?

Because Italy is everything …and my dream!

We’d start in Rome, because duh. The Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican—history literally oozes from the cobblestones. We’d eat cacio e pepe* at some little hole-in-the-wall trattoria**, drink house wine that tastes like heaven, and probably get scolded by an elderly Italian woman for not eating enough. (We’d accept that scolding with gratitude and go back for seconds.)

Then we’d hop a train to Florence. Art and architecture that’ll make you cry, gelato so good it makes you question every other dessert you’ve ever loved, and leather markets where Jarie would absolutely haggle like a pro.

Next stop: Tuscany. Wine country. Rolling hills, olive groves, sun-drenched villas. We’d sip Chianti Classico under a pergola at golden hour and toast to family, friendship, and free plane tickets.

And Venice? Don’t get me started. Floating through the canals with a spritz in hand, getting lost in those winding alleyways, and buying masks we absolutely don’t need? Yes, please.

We’d finish off our Italian love affair on the Amalfi Coast (I love hearing Trisha talk about it). Lemon trees, sparkling sea views, cliffside villages like Positano and Ravello, and seafood that tastes like it was caught moments before it hit our plates. I can already see Jarie with a linen wrap and oversized sunglasses, living her best life while I document every second on my phone like a proud momma at a dance recital.

But here’s the real reason.

I want Jarie to feel what I feel when I travel—to stand in front of something ancient and beautiful and bigger than life and feel small in the best way. To breathe in air that smells like garlic and sea salt and basil and history. To hear languages she doesn’t understand but somehow still feels. I want her to know that there’s so much more to see, to taste, to feel, to live—and she deserves every last bit of it.

So yeah. If I won two free plane tickets, I wouldn’t be thinking tropical or trendy. I’d be thinking timeless. I’d be thinking Italy—with Jarie by my side, eating pasta, laughing till we cry, and living like the queens we are.

*Cacio e Pepe (pronounced KAH-cho eh PEH-peh) is Italian for “cheese and pepper”—and that’s literally all it is. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. This Roman classic is pure magic.

Here’s what’s in it:

Pasta – Usually spaghetti or tonnarelli (a thicker, square-edged pasta) Pecorino Romano cheese – A sharp, salty sheep’s milk cheese Black pepper – Freshly cracked, bold, and peppery Pasta water – That starchy water is key to creating the silky sauce

That’s it. No butter. No cream. No garlic. No nonsense.

It’s all about the technique: tossing hot pasta with finely grated cheese and pepper while adding just enough pasta water to melt the cheese into a creamy, clingy sauce. It’s cheesy, peppery, salty, and totally comforting—basically the Italian version of grown-up mac and cheese, but with a passport and way more attitude.

If you’re ever in Rome, order it at a trattoria. If it’s done right, you’ll dream about it for the rest of your life.

**A trattoria (pronounced tra-toh-REE-uh) is a type of casual, family-owned Italian restaurant. Think of it as the cozy middle ground between a fancy ristorante and a no-frills osteria.

Here’s what makes a trattoria special:

🍝 Homestyle cooking – The food is traditional, hearty, and often based on family recipes. No over-the-top plating here—just good, soul-satisfying dishes. 🍷 Affordable prices – It’s usually less expensive than a ristorante, and often the house wine is cheaper (and better) than anything you’d find back home. 🪑 Laid-back vibe – Casual seating, maybe a chalkboard menu, sometimes no printed menu at all. Don’t be surprised if the owner is also your waiter and chef. 🇮🇹 Local and seasonal – Menus change based on what’s fresh and in season. You’re getting a real taste of the region you’re in.

So when I say “little hole-in-the-wall trattoria in Rome,” I mean the kind of place where Nonna is in the kitchen, the wine flows freely, and the pasta makes you believe in magic.

Let’s Talk About It… 🍷✈️🍋🇮🇹

XOXO, Jani