Ciao a tutti! I’m Hillary.

The Lizzie McGuire Movie was my favorite movie as a kid. Sneaking out to cruise through Rome on a Vespa, doubling for a major pop star… Lizzie was that girl. I always loved the scene of her at the Trevi Fountain and dreamed of going there myself one day to toss a coin into the water, supposedly ensuring my return to Rome.

Boy, did I get my wish.

In 2019, my then boyfriend, now husband and I decided to take what would be my first international trip ever. He asked where I would want to go if I could go anywhere in the world, and without hesitation, I said: Italy.

To Italy it was!

We spent two beautiful weeks in Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Sicily, and both fell in love. I finally had my turn to close my eyes, toss a euro over my shoulder, and pray that my path would someday lead me back to Italy.

I don’t know what’s in the water at the Trevi Fountain, but whatever it is, it works.

Just over one year later, in 2020, I found myself back in Italy – but this time, I was moving to Milan.

To Italy and Beyond

What’s happened in the past several years would have 10 year old me screaming.

I’ve been lucky enough to call Italy home and find adventure of my own here, traveling extensively throughout the country, as well as across Europe (hence, the beyond).

What I’ve enjoyed the most about my travels here is that for a small country, Italy is full of surprises. off the beaten path and see places. I do enjoy the big cities and touristic places, but I take a special pride in searching for places less traveled for a taste of local life wherever I go. I’ve been to 17 out of Italy’s 20 regions, and my ultimate goal is to fully explore them all.

It’s almost made me appreciate just how grand Italy really is. It’s a small country, packed with interesting things to see. You can find amazing things in the most unexpected places. There are surprises everywhere.

Behind the Blog

Professional Me:

  • 6+ years of experience in marketing and sales
  • 1.5 years of experience as a full-time content marketing freelancer
  • Former Senior Assistant Director, Marketing & Communications

Academic Me:

  • B.A. in Communication Studies, Christopher Newport University, 2015
  • Master’s in Marketing & Sales, SDA Bocconi School of Management & ESADE Business School, 2022

Personal Me:

  • It’s my goal to visit all 20 of Italy’s regions
  • I love to hike
  • I’m inspired by the food everywhere I visit, and always look for recipes to take home