My family has been involved with AFS Intercultural Programs for almost two decades, now. While my sister and I were living at home, our family hosted a student approximately every other year, and we served as a waystation for those students who were between families for one reason or another on the off-years. (Now that the chicks have left the nest, my parents continue to fill that “waystation” capacity, on top of hosting parties and orientations.)

As a result, I have a number of “brothers” and “sisters” around the world, including two brothers in Italy. One of my Italian brothers had been badgering my parents to come visit for some time, so we finally got together for a family vacation. Unlike most vacations we’ve had as a family, my mother was not planning this one, instead leaving it to my “brother”.

The trip began by flying into Rome. Our hotel room gave us a great view of the Pantheon, and for the few days we were there, we hit several of the usual  suspects, like the aforementioned Pantheon, the Forum, the Colosseum, the Catacombs, etc. If you’re into ancient history, it’s a must-see. If you’re not quite as interested in the subject, it’s still worth doing, even if just to say that you have.

The best part of our time in Rome, however, wasn’t actually in Rome but rather in Vatican City. My brother was very close to the priest of his church, who in turn was very close to St. John Paul II, the previous Pope. Because of our connection, we got into the Sistine Chapel without waiting in the line that stretched around the block, and we got to visit the Vatican Gardens, which most people don’t get to see. (Only a few limited guided tours exist, but we had permission to wander around on our own.) It is, in fact, good to know people.

After a few days in Rome, we all piled in a van: myself, my sister, my parents, my “brother”, his brother, and his parents. It was a big van. We drove north, hitting several points of interest. In Orvieto, we had to park our van in the bus parking lot, because someone had gone and hung lights lower than the clearance marker for the garage. (We only destroyed one!) In Ripatransone we visited Italy’s narrowest alley: difficult to fit a person through, much less a bicycle or other vehicle… Near Florence we dined on bistecca alla fiorentina, probably the only rare T-bone steak you’ll find in Europe. The single steak we had was large enough to feed six people.

We split up in Florence, as my brother’s family had to return to Piacenza, however during our day in the city we met up with my other Italian brother who was there for university. Our trip ended with a night in Venice. My window sill was only a few inches above the water line! Also: Don’t let rumors about bad smells turn you away from Venice. The legendary smell was due to sewage being pumped directly into the canals, but the city has since instituted strict regulations on plumbing and they have made an effort to clean the canals. Now, the city smells no worse than any other city next to the ocean.