Anniversary in Italy
This July, my husband and I celebrated our anniversary with a trip that felt like something out of a movie. In just four days, we explored the style and sparkle of Milan, the dreamy romance of Lake Como, and the charm of Bergamo’s old town — all while enjoying incredible food, stunning views, and a little taste of the flexible lifestyle I’ve built through my business. Here’s how it all unfolded…
Day 1 – Milan Magic
We flew into Milan and checked into the ME Milan Il Duca hotel, which had gone above and beyond to decorate our room beautifully for our anniversary. The city greeted us with sunshine and style — we wandered through elegant streets, browsed boutique shops, and dipped into little coffee bars for an espresso or two.
In the late afternoon, we headed to the Aperol Terrazza Bar in Cathedral Square. Sipping Aperol Spritzes with the Milan Cathedral as our backdrop was pure magic — the perfect way to toast our anniversary. Dinner that night was all about authentic pasta before strolling back to our hotel for a cosy night.
Day 2 – Lake Como Dreams in Varenna
The next morning, we boarded a train to Varenna, a picture-perfect village on Lake Como. We stayed at the charming Casa Dulac, where our terrace overlooked the lake — a view so beautiful, I found myself doing a little bit of work there just to soak it in. It’s moments like that which make me so grateful for a business I can run from anywhere.
That afternoon, we visited Villa Monastero and its botanical gardens. Wandering through pathways lined with colourful flowers and ancient trees, all with Lake Como glittering beside us, was unforgettable.
In the early evening, we took the ferry across to Bellagio. Seeing the lake at sunset from the water is something I’ll never forget — soft golden light, mountains in the distance, and little villages glowing along the shore. We enjoyed dinner in Bellagio before heading back to Varenna for a nightcap at Bar Il Molo, right on the water. My purple cocktail that night happened to match my dress — a happy little detail that made me smile.
Day 3 – Bergamo & a Dash Back to Milan
The next day, we set off for Bergamo… with a slight detour. My husband realised he’d left his wallet back at our hotel in Milan, so we hopped on a train to retrieve it, then headed straight back to Bergamo.
In the new town, we found Bella Napoli, a tiny, authentic restaurant serving the best pizza and pasta we had in the whole of Italy — truly unforgettable. In the late afternoon, we took the funicular up to Città Alta, Bergamo’s old town. The views from the top were breathtaking, and as we wandered through cobbled streets, we stumbled across an opera singer performing in the square — the kind of magical moment you just can’t plan.
Dinner was another cosy pizza-and-pasta affair, followed by dessert at Carmen, where I treated myself to a rich chocolate vegan gelato.
Day 4 – Sweet Farewell
On our final morning, we found a gorgeous vegan patisserie for breakfast before heading to the airport. With hearts (and stomachs) full, we said goodbye to Italy — already dreaming of our next adventure.
Plan Your Own Italy Escape
Whether it’s sipping cocktails by the lake, exploring cobbled streets, or simply working from a sun-soaked terrace with a view, Italy has a magic that’s hard to describe. If you’ve ever dreamed of making travel a bigger part of your life — and having the freedom to work from anywhere — you’ll find more of my travel stories and tips here.