Our quick trip to Capri had an unexpected bonus: a little time in Rome and Florence. Short as it was, it felt like stepping into a different world at every turn — cobblestone streets, bustling piazzas, and the kind of food that makes you wonder why anyone ever eats anything else.

In Rome, I raced through the classic sights before hopping on my train to Naples. With a mortadella sandwich in one hand and gelato in the other, I couldn’t help but miss my dad. Holding onto the simple joys he would have appreciated in the country he grew up in was magical.

Florence felt quieter, in a different way. We traced familiar streets, admired the Duomo, and let the Uffizi wash over us without pressure. Meals were long, slow, and deliberate — fresh pasta, hearty bread, and rich sauces that needed nothing more than the company of each other. We laughed, we remembered, we toasted quietly to him, and for a little while, it felt like he was wandering the streets with us.

Even though this was a whirlwind sightseeing tour, the moments that stick aren’t monuments or museums — they’re the quiet pauses between the chaos. A shared bite of pizza, a slow walk down a sunlit alley, a memory of Dad that comes up just when it should. Capri, Rome, Florence — all of it was beautiful, but the best part was the reminder that family, memories, and food make travel feel full in a way no itinerary ever could.