I remember the first time I was told I was going to Italy. I fought and I screamed until I cried. Okay, okay!! I was only six years old!! But I sure knew that I didn't want to go to some old country that didn't have ice hockey or baseball or American style football.

Of course, when you're six, you really don't have much choice in the matter and lucky for me. My parents had booked a two-month family trip to Italy and I was going and that was that. I was only six, but that trip changed my life forever…

I remember being mesmerized by everything I saw: the country, the architecture and mamma mia the food! I was way too young to understand the history behind it all, but boy oh boy!!

Since then I get excited whenever I talk about Italy. It has become my passion and my love. I love to share my Italian experiences with my family and my friends whenever I can.

I often say to people who go to Italy for the first time to be careful..because, as it did for me, it could change your life forever, and become your addiction, your love, and the place you'll want to return to whenever possible.