From Pennsylvania to Pepperoni
Tired, Exhausted, Hot ... and Loving It

After settling into our apartment and convincing the kids to change out of airplane clothes, we ventured into the city with no real agenda other than stay awake. We wandered through shady side streets and wide-open piazzas, weaving through waves of tourists posing for pictures.

We ended up at a tiny pizza shop where we devoured our first (and definitely not last) pizzas. It was the kind of moment you couldn’t plan—just the five of us, quietly soaking in our surroundings, and already trying to remember enough Italian to say “please” and “thank you.”

The next morning, after a surprisingly solid night of sleep (thank you blackout shades), we tackled our one “official” sight in Milan: the Duomo. We bought tickets that allowed us to explore the cathedral, the crypt and the archaeological area.  The detail in the architecture is mind-blowing, and seeing it all from inside felt like a reward.  Pro Tip: Inside the Duomo, and especially the areas below the ground floor, are much cooler than standing outside in the blistering sun!

This might’ve been one of our favorite activities of the entire trip. We took a pizza and gelato-making class as a family, and it was everything we hoped it would be—hands-on, hilarious, and delicious. Watching the kids knead dough and devour their gelato felt like a “this is why we travel” moment.

The best part? Sitting down together at the end to eat our creations. No phones, no rush, just good food and great company. It was one of those unexpected highlights that reminded us that doing something together—not just seeing something—creates the memories that last.