Rome caught my attention when I was four years old, thanks to a meatball nearly the size of my head, not the ruins around it. Four visits later, the city is still finding new ways to surprise me. This one involved a dome, a lost city, and a dish I can't stop thinking about.

Florence is a city that rewards exploring, and there is always something new waiting for me. From the artwork, to the rich architecture, to taking the time to enjoy the simple things in life. I marveled at the masterworks by Botticelli, Da Vinci, and Michelangelo. I took an early morning climb up the leaning tower. I wandered through the city of artists and craftspeople. And I enjoyed some delectable meals, all while taking my time to enjoy all that Florence has to offer.

The Cinque Terre had been on my list since I first watched Rick Steves wander its five coastal villages years ago, long before Pixar's Luca made the place feel even more familiar. This summer I finally went, staying four nights in Vernazza, in a guesthouse with its own surprising connection to that same guidebook, hiking up through the vineyards for that postcard view, and climbing the old castle above the harbor. Between morning swims, evening sunsets, and a very late night World Cup match, it turned into one of the most memorable weeks of the whole trip.

Verona was never really on my radar until I started planning this trip through northern Italy. What brought me there was Shakespeare. A seventh grade elective I never chose, a teacher named Mr. Monroe, and a play I have loved ever since. Walking those streets decades later, watching opera inside a first century Roman Arena, and standing in the courtyard of Juliet's house, it all felt like more than sightseeing. Some cities just have a way of making old stories feel very close.

Venice is a city that rewards the traveler who gives it time. Over four days I wandered through the neighborhoods, crossed more bridges than I could count, toured Doge's Palace, stood inside San Marco Basilica, and spent long evenings over unhurried dinners as the city finally cooled down. But the moment that will stay with me longest had nothing to do with any of that. Twenty-eight years ago I walked into a small shop near the Rialto and met a young woman named Margherita. This trip I went looking for that same shop, not sure it would still be there. It was, and so was she.

Milan is a city where history and style exist side by side, where the modern and the medieval share the same street and you move between centuries without even noticing. I came for the Duomo, the Last Supper, and the art, and all of that delivered in ways I did not fully anticipate. But what I will remember most is a conductor I was not supposed to be watching and a cafe table in Bellagio I stumbled onto by accident. Milan kept handing me things I had not thought to look for, and those turned out to be the moments that stayed with me long after I left.

I have spent years admiring The Last Supper in books and on classroom screens. It is one of those works you feel like you already know before you ever see it in person. Standing in front of it in a humble dining hall in Milan was something else entirely. The painting is larger than you imagine, the figures more alive, and the story being told across that wall more powerful than any reproduction ever captures. Fifteen minutes with Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece left me thinking about storytelling, about the individual and the whole, about art and what it means to make something that outlasts you by centuries. This is what happened when I finally saw it with my own eyes.

Italy has always held a special place in my heart, a country that draws me back time and again with its extraordinary food, the weight of history in every stone, and the way Italians understand, better than anyone, that life is meant to be lived fully. This summer I am returning for a full month, with more time than I have ever had to explore, wander and absorb. I am beginning in the north, spending time in Venice, Cinque Terre, Milan and Verona before making my way to Florence, one of my favorite cities in the world. My journey ends in Rome, the Eternal City, where I will finally have the time to explore corners of the city I have never seen. This is my ritorno in Italia.

I have always loved the magic of the holiday season, from childhood traditions to the ones I have built over the years. Seattle has always been home, and every Christmas until now has been spent there. After a busy year of theatre and photography, I decided to treat myself and experience the holidays in New York City. I had visited many times before, but never in December. Years of holiday films set in Manhattan filled my imagination and set the stage for what I hoped would be a truly cinematic Christmas.

Kyoto is a city that lingers in the heart, where ancient temples, serene gardens, and living traditions invite you to slow down and take notice. On this return visit, I explored iconic sites like Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Gion, taking in both the stillness and the spirit of the city. Kyoto doesn’t dazzle with spectacle; it reveals itself in quiet, thoughtful moments that stay with you long after you’ve left.

I experienced the magic of Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto not once, but twice. First on a peaceful early morning guided tour, and later on a solo evening hike through thousands of torii gates to the summit under the night sky and lantern lights.

Recently, I returned to Hiroshima and Miyajima, two places that allowed me to slow down and absorb their history and beauty. Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park moved me with its solemn tribute to the past, while Miyajima's serene atmosphere and iconic floating shrine provided the perfect space to reflect, capture a long-awaited photograph, and feel a deep sense of peace.

Osaka was a city full of surprises … gritty, energetic, and completely different from anywhere else I visited in Japan. From the chaos of Dotonbori to the calm of Nara Park and the timeless beauty of Himeji Castle, each day brought something new.

Located in the Japanese Alps, Nagano is known for its natural beauty and rich cultural history. It hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and is also home to one of Japan’s more unique sights: the Japanese macaques, or “Snow Monkeys,” who famously soak in hot springs during the cold months.

Tokyo resists easy descriptions. It’s a blend of old and new, where ancient temples meet neon lights and bustling nightlife. It’s a place that’s both orderly and complex, steeped in tradition but also embracing change. People here are proud, searching for a balance in life amidst this crazy metropolis.

I discovered a Tower Records in Tokyo, and, as I stepped into this 8-story golden paradise, my heart was filled with memory and wonder. Each floor offered something different, featuring jazz and classical, J-pop and K-pop. Eventually, I found my way to the vinyl section, and just like that, the teenage version of me began flipping through the bins, wide-eyed and excited.

Amsterdam is the kind of city that rewards having no plan. Over eight days I wandered canals and neighborhoods, discovered a secret Catholic church hidden in an attic, stood transfixed in front of Van Gogh originals, and stumbled into a vintage shop where a pocket watch from the 1920s found its way into my pocket. I also ventured beyond the city to the windmills of Zaanse Schans and the car free village of Giethoorn. It was one of those trips that exceeds every expectation and leaves you already planning the return.

Traveling has been an integral part of my life since childhood. My explorations have taken me to 29 countries across six continents, and I’m always looking for my next great adventure. Traveling has broadened my horizons and introduced me to the beauty of our world and the many cultures that inhabit it.