Italia in a Nutshell

A week in Italy: one cannot dream of a more perfect start to summer vacation! I'm in love with Ireland, however, a trip to the warm beaches of Sicily and history of Rome was a welcomed vacation. My two friends and I jetted of to the unknown destination of Palermo, Italy. This ended up being an utter blessing: Palermo is heaven on earth. You can't get much more authentic than Sicily! No one spoke English, the food was to die for, the beaches were white sand and blue water, the open air markets were beautiful, and it was ours to explore. Though there was a language barrier, the people were eager to communicate and help us explore their beloved slice of paradise. The hospitality of the locals felt much like Ireland. We made amazing friends simply in the two days we were there! 
Palermo gave way to Rome. Rome was a different kind of beauty and adventure, one found in history and amid crowds of tourists. It was not our beloved Palermo, but we enjoyed Rome to the fullest! The Colloseum, Vatican, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain: we did it all. The Vatican was my favorite part of Rome. It was simply breathtaking inside and out. The tour of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican museum was eye-opening and surreal. Inside the Basilica was another experience in itself. We also climbed to the very top, and experienced an utter high on life moment as we looked out over the entire Vatican City. Communion and mass were just the icing on the cake.
Alas, Italy had to end. Rome was good, Palermo was great. I will forever cherish the adventures and memories made in Italia. I will be back.