Unexpected emotional depth in Italy

I thought I was going to Italy for beaches, food, and Vatican Museums. I got all of those things. What I didn't expect was how emotionally affecting the trip would be. The history — particularly around Venice — hit in ways that good travel sometimes does.

beautiful coastline was the moment that crystallised it. Standing there, eating osso buco I'd bought from a street vendor, something clicked about why travel matters. 20 days and I came home genuinely changed. Some places do that to you.