My friend had invited me to join her on a trip to visit family in Bassano del Grappa, a historic town about an hour outside of Venice. I quickly fell in love—with the city, the culture, and the warm, generous people who welcomed me in. 

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Everyone in the group spoke Spanish natively, with a few also speaking Italian or some French. I had taken a year of Spanish, several years of French, and had put in real effort to learn Italian before the trip. But I quickly realized—I should have learned more Spanish. Mealtimesl in Bassano were spent around the table, surrounded by overlapping conversations in Spanish. I picked up the occasional word and often caught the general idea, but for the most part, I just listened until the group stood up and it was time for our next adventure.

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This was not my usual travel style. When I had planned a trip to Paris for my family, I researched everything, booked all the activities, made reservations, and crafted a full itinerary—determined that we would have a good time. But traveling with locals in Italy was entirely different. I was one of twenty, the only non-family member, invited along as a guest for their family reunion. I hadn’t planned much in advance. And yet they brought me into their world—showing me magnificent walled cities, guiding me effortlessly through Venice, taking me hiking in the Dolomites, and sharing unforgettable meals along the way. 

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Bassano del Grappa is a picturesque town in the Veneto region of northern Italy, nestled at the foot of the Alps and along the banks of the Brenta River. Known for its deep historical roots, vibrant culture, and stunning natural setting. The city dates back to Roman times and played a pivotal role in World War II.  To this day, the buildings at the end of the iconic Ponte Vecchio show bullet markings left from the war. The avenue of martyrs memorializes a group of young Italian men who surrendered with the promise of amnesty, only to be executed. Remnants of the medieval cities original defenses still stand, though the original city walls are long gone. Bassano is a place where centuries of history live comfortably alongside everyday Italian life.