ummertime is
the season that
invites us to
slow down, soak it up, and truly live. It’s when life feels lighter and the world more open. From sun-soaked beach days to lakefront boating, from family road trips to epic hikes in national parks, and from BBQ cookouts to vibrant festivals —there’s no shortage of magic. Summer brings with it travel, adventure, family reunions, music and flavor. It’s when childhood memories are made and adult worries are sometimes (at least momentarily) set aside.
This year, I kicked off my summer with a family trip to Italy—my first time abroad in nearly two decades. It was nothing short of spectacular. We began in Rome, where history literally was beneath our feet as we explored the cobblestone streets. The Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon—each site felt like taking a step back in history. But beyond the monuments, it was the smaller moments that made the trip: finding a tucked-away café with the best pasta, watching my teenage boys discover the joy of a late gelato under a Roman heat, and listening to the Vatican bells ring as we caught a glimpse of Pope Leo delivering his Sunday message.
From there, we headed to the rolling hills of Tuscany, staying in an incredible villa in the town of Toscana with three other families. Afternoons were spent lounging by the pool, taking trips to other towns, sipping local wine, and playing games after dinner. It was immersive, indulgent, and unforgettable—the kind of trip that leaves you filled with gratitude.
And yet, the beauty of summer is that even after returning home, the adventure doesn’t stop. The U.S.—and Chicago in particular—turns into a playground of festivals, neighborhood celebrations, and cultural experiences that offer just as much magic, albeit with a bit more sizzle and rhythm.
S