HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy

“Do you want help with that?” and Italian man asked me when I was trying to push three suitcases at the same time over a threshold at the airport. “Non, merci” I said and smiled. “I mean no, thank you. Or no, I mean no, grazie!”.

HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy

I don’t know if it was adjusting to people actually asking me if I wanted help or if it was the language that confused me the most when I arrived in Italy from Paris. But let’s just say that I adapted to both the language and the kindness quite quickly.

HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy

Almost every summer since I have been old enough to stand (and even before that) my family travels to Italy — to Terracina to be a little bit more precise. We go for the warm weather, the delicious food and the laid-back lifestyle. Terracina is located about an hour and a half south of Rome, which makes this little town a perfect escape for many Romans during summertime as well.

HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy

After a few days on the beach, a couple of morning swims in the pool at Hotel Poseidon, way too many pizzas at my favorite pizzeria Antico Forno, one or two gelatos from Bar Pupo, a steady stream of cappuccinos from the nearest beach bar and a daytrip to the breathtaking Ponza islands (where you can either stroll around the little town that winds up the gorgeous mountains or rent your own little motorboat and explore the beaches around the island on your own — of course I can’t resist the latter), we are all revived enough to face the rentrée with a good dose of Italian joie de vivre.

HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy
HiP Paris Blog, Carin Olsson, Week in Italy

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Written by Carin Olsson for the HiP Paris Blog. All photos by Carin Olsson. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

WRITTEN BY

Carin Olsson

Carin Olsson left both her job and family back in Sweden to pursue her longtime dream of moving to Paris. A big passion for food, sweets, the city itself and photography resulted in her blog, Paris in Four Months, where she shares her time in the city of light.

14 Comments

  1. Thanks so much for this post. We’re looking for a place to chill for 10 days. I’m now convinced Italy is our perfect spot. Can’t wait to see some of these beaches!
    Beach vakantieverhuur

  2. Well: if you yearly go to Terracina, then you can’t miss to see the amazing Sperlonga and San Felice Circeo: two of the most pictoresque villages of fishermen in the Country!
    Anyway: take a look at Puglia/Apulia region: these years its coasts of Gargano and Salento are a must for us italians!

  3. 🙂 And what about the “bombe”?
    I love Terracina and all the surrounding area: the city of Sperlonga, the island of Ponza, the beach of “trecento scalini” near Gaeta…
    Great post and gorgeous photos
    Greetings from Rome

  4. Having lived in France, it is certainly one of my favourite countries but several holidays in Italy have convinced me that Italy too has so much to offer. Your wonderful photos make me want to return soon!

  5. Fabulous photos! After discovering your wonderful insights on living in Paris, no I thank you for that taste of Italy. We visited the area around Terracina a few years ago when we rented a village house in Sermoneta. I thought the beaches were a delightful surprise – beautiful and relatively no english-speaking tourists!

  6. Your photos are just divine Carin, I almost feel that I’m there with you. It sounds like you had a fabulous time!…xv

  7. I’ve been in love with France forever, so the first time I hit Italy I was shocked at how easily I could …well…fall for another! Italy is amazing, and the people are so outgoing and friendly! You just don’t expect it and those cheeky Italian men..well they have been known to make this ole ducks day 🙂 these photos are gorgeous thanks!

  8. Divine photographs..
    You make it Italy so tangible…I feel like I’m right there digging my toes in the sand…I wish…

  9. quote:
    don’t know if it was adjusting to people actually asking me if I wanted help or if it was the language that confused me the most when I arrived in Italy from Paris. But let’s just say that I adapted to both the language and the kindness quite quickly.
    unquote…

    that’s exactly it! I absolutely adore Italy and the kind people, the wonderful simple and terrific food and the beauty of their country.
    Italia – ti adoro!!! Thank You for this photographic Italy speed-dating trip, loved it

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