Italy

Imagine riding through the waterways of Venice, Italy, taking in all the beautiful sights and smell of perfectly cooked pasta streaming from numerous waterfront restaurants. If I could be any place in the world right now, this is where I would be found. Italy's rich culture and celebrated history combined with its breathtaking scenery makes it a desired destination for anyone. Some of the main reasons why I would like to be there is to find out more about my family history and see the many worthwhile sights that scatter this vast country as well as eating a delectable five course meal of the best Italian food in the world.

My family history has and always will be very important to me. Therefore, I would like to be in Italy to get a broader perspective on where my family came from and what it took for them to get to America. My family on both my mother and father's sides heil from Italy, which would undoubtedly make my search a long one. My quest for a deeper understanding of my family will take me to both northern Italy, where my mother's family comes from, and souther Italy, which is where my father's family comes from. To be able to see, first hand, the life that previous generations of my family lived is something I have always wanted to do.

While doing this, I would get the full experience of what it means to be Italian, which entails everything from visiting the Roman Colloseum to skiing in the Alps. I would love to make trips to famous sites and take tours that delve deep into the Italian culture. Italy has wide range and variety of landscapes, all beautiful in their own respect. Places such as the Leaning Tower of Piza and the aforementioned Venice could keep me busy for hours on end. Viewing the world from a different cultures perspective is something I have always wanted to do, and being in Italy would allow me to fulfill this.

What kind of visit would this be if I did not enjoy a true Italian meal? All my life I have eaten Italian food, and learned to love it at an early age. Big Italian dinners are a normal occurrence

at my family gatherings, however, nothing compares to the real deal. Italy is home to many world renown

restaurants and chefs, not to mention, pasta. From raviolis filled with warm ricotta cheese to brochute tied with just the right amount of string, no place comes close to Italy in the aspect of