About Melissa

 

Two of my big goals for 2018 were spending quality time with friends and family and traveling as much as possible.

 

When I heard a friend of mine and her mother had just booked a Rick Steve’s Tour to Italy, it sounded like the perfect two-for-one ever. Two goals down with one great trip with my mom!

 

We booked the 9-Day Heart of Italy for March, one of the earliest trips available, booked flights and were on our way, selected our travel goodies from the Rick Steve’s website and were soon packed and on our way!

 

I had not been to Europe since college (in the 1990s) when I had been lucky enough to study in Siena and travel throughout Italy and Europe for a summer. To say I was ready to get back to La Bella Vita was an understatement.

 

For me returning to Italy felt like a bit of coming home. Lots of things were familiar but also so very different, mostly because I was so different.

 

I loved traveling with my mom, I think we were great travel partners, and my memories of this trip filled me with gratitude and love!

 

When not traveling with Mom, you can find me living and working in the Pacific Northwest with my amazing hubby, two teen kids, and an introverted golden doodle named Jack. I teach yoga and meditation and am a career and life coach focused on coaching mothers of teen daughters.

 

 

About Pam

 

I love to travel, and when Melissa pitched the Rick Steve’s trip and her dad, my husband said “Yes!” things moved quickly!

 

I have a fond space in my heart for Italy and although I had been to many of the spots on this tour before traveling on an organized tour made it extra special and easy.

 

I loved the balance of this trip between time alone and time with the group. Melissa and I loved the time we had exploring together (we took a cooking class, a side day-trip and did lots of shopping and eating) and the time with the other folks on tour was enjoyable.

 

When not traveling with my hubby, I volunteer at Habitat for Humanity a few days a week. I also love spending time with my kids and six grandchildren, digging for clams for dinner, practicing yoga and organizing amazing activities and outings with my friends.

 

I can't wait to plan our next Rick Steve's Trip! It was the perfect Mother-Daughter Adventure!