Moments in Italy: A Multi-Generational Journey

Susan Bloome spins a tiny globe on a chain as she recalls the moment her late husband Mickey gave it to her a decade ago. The two were on a cruise ship heading to Antarctica.

“For my 70th birthday, we went to our seventh continent, Antarctica. And lo and behold, they sold these globes, little ones, earrings, cuff links, all different kinds.”

By the third night of walking past the gift shop on their way to dinner, Mickey noticed her lingering glances. “‘Susan, is there something you’re looking at?’ he inquired. “And I said, ‘Well, if you want to buy me a present…’”

Ten years later, Susan still wears that globe almost every day – a symbolic reminder of a life spent exploring the world with Dr. Michael “Mickey” Bloome, a renowned ophthalmologist whose international lectures became the launching pad for decades of adventure. Mickey passed away two years ago, and it’s been tough moving on without him. But Susan vowed to continue the family tradition. 

This summer, with her granddaughter Amanda’s college graduation as the catalyst, she gathered her son Jerrad, daughter-in-law Sara, and granddaughters Rebecca and Amanda for a two-week Italian odyssey that would reveal how the same destinations can speak differently to each generation.

Susan and Mickey Bloome in 2011 at a Tuscan vineyard;

The Seasoned Traveler’s Perspective

Italy is a place of memories and magic for Susan, who traveled there many times with Mickey, but their children and grandchildren had not yet been there. 

The couple had established a tradition of taking each grandchild on a special trip for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah – London and Paris for Amanda, the Galapagos for Rebecca and her cousin Ashley, and Alaska for the youngest, Connor. 

“We just wanted to pass on our love of traveling,” said Susan. “And we felt like, when you’re on a trip doing something special, you bond in a different way than just seeing each other at home.” 

So Amanda’s graduation gave the family a reason for a new adventure in a place they’d long heard about from the stories of their grandparents. Together with her family, Susan was able to revisit Tuscany, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast, cherished destinations she’d traveled with Mickey.

Rebecca and Amanda at a Tuscan vineyard.

“Granny and Papa have all of these pictures from their travels up in their apartment,” recalled Rebecca. “And growing up, I remember running down the halls with my cousins, and we’d be like, that’s Granny and Papa’s air balloon. And there were always these mystical ideas in my head of them in these far-off places.”

Traveling at 80 is much different than it was when Susan was younger, however, and this trip brought new challenges. 

“At this age, I’m happy they want to be with me and put up with me – because travel for me is not as easy as it used to be.” The family learned to adapt, discovering that most museums offered wheelchairs and that careful planning could accommodate everyone’s needs.

Rebecca, for her part, saw it differently. “I never once thought there was ‘putting up’ to be done, just a little extra thought to make everyone more comfortable and, as a result, happier.”     

Susan found unexpected joy in the small cultural moments – for example, the boat captain in Sorrento who discovered her name and serenaded her with an Italian song called “Susanna,” and the European tradition of treating elders with special attention. 

“When we would get into a place like the wine tasting or the cheese making or the boat, they knew I was the old lady. And in some ways, I think it’s just more European, they would kind of cater to me.”

Jerrad and Sara making their way to a seaside dinner in Sorrento’s Marina Grande.

The Parents’ Fresh Eyes

For Jerrad and Sara, Italy represented uncharted territory. “When we chose Italy, we hadn’t been there. I could have gone almost anywhere,” Jerrad recalled. The trip awakened something unexpected: “It made me want to travel more.”

Jerrad was struck by the historical layers everywhere they turned. He’d been in the Middle East and had seen biblical and Roman and Greek ruins. “But I've never seen sites dating to the Renaissance period, or the medieval times or the gothic era.”

The Colosseum particularly fascinated him – not just for its grandeur, but for learning its true purpose. “I didn't realize it wasn’t for the wealthy Roman people to go see big shows. It was really made to placate the poor people and to make sure they didn’t rise up against the emperor.”

FROM RUINS TO ROMANCE Jerrad, Susan, Amanda, Rebecca, and Sara Bloome in front of the Colosseum.

Sara had always been aware of the family-oriented nature of Italian culture, but was delighted to see that quality in action, for example on their boat tour of the Amalfi Coast, and in Schiazzano, a tiny hamlet near Sorrento where they spent an unforgettable afternoon. 

“That was basically a family-run little town,” she said. “And our boat trip was the daughter and father running the boat trip. So it just really was lovely and reflective when we were on a family trip to have these interactions with other families, just to sort of cement the idea of coming together and working together as family members.”

Rebecca echoed her mother’s impressions, with more detail:

“Schiazzano was a 500-person town that was all three families, I think. And when we got there, the guide was like, ‘Hi, I’m Elsa. I’m the one that does the lemon groves.’ And then they put us in these little cars that felt like a roller coaster ride down those tiny streets. And then we’d get to the top and it was like, ‘Hi, this is my cousin.’ And the guy would be like, ‘I'm the cousin Bernardino, who makes the cheese.”

The language barrier, typically intimidating for Sara, became an opportunity for growth. “Normally I'm shy to try a foreign language, but I felt like the Italians are really welcoming you to try, and they don’t laugh at you. So I felt inspired – maybe to put myself out there verbally in another language.”

Sisters Amanda and Rebecca Bloome departing from Sorrento on a boat tour of the Amalfi Coast.

The Young Adults’ Adventure

For Rebecca, 20, this trip marked a transformation from passive participant to engaged explorer. “I feel like this is the first one where I actually was ‘in it,’ because I was old enough to delve in instead of just being like, ‘I'm going on my tour, okay.’”

Her detailed observations revealed a generation comfortable with spontaneous exploration and cultural immersion. In Florence, she and her sister Amanda, 22, discovered wine windows – “a historic thing” where some restaurants have a little window, and a bell you can ring. 

“And it’s comical because usually the guy standing outside the restaurant is like, do you want to sit down? We’ll hear the bell, walk inside and [someone will] be like, do you want wine?”

One evening, they were walking back to their hotel when they stumbled upon a symphonic performance in Piazza della Signoria, which became a defining moment. “We got wine glasses from the wine window. And then we were just walking back to the hotel... And there was a huge crowd of people just sitting and watching, I think it was a youth symphony. So we sat down with our wine and watched the symphony in this gorgeous historical area.”

The boat trip along the Amalfi Coast showcased Rebecca’s generation's enthusiasm for authentic experiences. She marveled at the captain backing their boat up to a freshwater waterfall: “We could all take showers in the waterfall. It was so cool.”

Perhaps most tellingly, Rebecca found herself connecting her travels to her late grandfather’s legendary knowledge. “There’s one thing that I feel like I heard a lot right after my grandpa's passing, which everybody likes to call him a walking encyclopedia. He was just a guy who knew everything. And the more I traveled, the more I understand that... if you see all these places and you've got a good memory and you're naturally a really smart guy, like he was, you just absorb everything.”

Amanda, Susan and Rebecca Bloome in front of Positano on a boat tour of the Amalfi Coast. Around her neck, Susan wears the treasured globe that her late husband Mickey gifted her on a trip to Antarctica for her 70th birthday. 

The Bonds That Unite

Despite their different perspectives, certain moments transcended generational boundaries. The family’s visit to Rome's ancient synagogue resonated deeply with their Jewish heritage. The medieval perfection of Siena captivated them all. And throughout their journey, they discovered that travel’s greatest gift isn't just the places you see, but the relationships you deepen.

As Susan reflects on the experience: “You can’t beat travel for learning. You come back, you have absorbed new ideas and things that you had just heard about. It’s just such a wonderful way to expand your life.”

Rebecca and Amanda Bloome

Tips from Our Travelers

By Rebecca Bloome

Worth the splurge: Taking a boat around Amalfi was incredible. We got to see every town on the coast without having to drive or take a bus. Our captain brought us to hidden spots and caves that were beautiful and special. 

Don’t miss: Exploring little towns outside of famous metropolitan areas. Getting out of Florence and into Siena was one of the most memorable parts of our time in Tuscany. There are countless small towns that overflow with charm and history, perfect for day trips away from popular cities. 

Favorite restaurants: Trattoria Zà Zà in Florence. Make a reservation and get the Florentine Steak and Truffle Carbonara. 

Currency exchange: Just using a debit card is typically better than trying to get cash. Your bank will give you the best exchange rate while avoiding fees from ATMs. 

Packing: For summer travel: The lightest clothes possible! Everything I brought that had long sleeves or thicker fabric stayed in my suitcase the whole time. 

Don’t forget: Blister bandages. However much walking you think you will be doing, expect it to double.

Local favorite: Pizzeria Ganza in Florence has mini folded pizza street food for just a few euros each! A super cheap bite, delicious and authentic! 

Safety tip: Be aware of your surroundings while in big tourist areas. A shoulder bag or crossbody purse is most reliable against pickpockets; just cover the top with your hand and stay alert. 

Not really worth the trouble: Waiting in line to actually walk down to the water of the Trevi Fountain didn’t even tempt me; people down there are only taking pictures. The impressive part is the grandeur of the architecture. You can get an even better view if you go into the clothing store across the street and look at it through the second-floor window! You can also take it all in from the street.