Florence and the Toilet.
What Happens When You Get Sick in Italy
I can still remember being absolutely exhausted by the time we boarded the train to Florence. Thankfully, the ride from Venice was an easy two hours—a perfect window to just sit and stare at the rolling Tuscan hills, wondering what life might be like up in those medieval stone villages.
When we arrived in Florence, the energy hit completely differently. It felt distinct from the watery romance of Venice and much more polished than the chaotic grit of Rome. We checked into our cute Airbnb right near the Duomo, stepped out onto the balcony, and just took it all in as the bells rang out across the city. It was magical. We even joked about owning a home with a view like this one day. Italy had officially consumed us whole. Experience the moment with us in the video below, sound on!
That night, we followed a local’s recommendation for pizza. When the food looks that mouth-watering, you can’t just eat one slice. Afterward, we walked the historic streets in complete awe of the cathedral’s sheer scale, marveling at how ancient architecture could feel so massive yet so intricate.
Travel days are hard, and sometimes people (hi, it’s me) get carried away by trying to cram everything into a 10-pound sack. Guys—I know, I know, I know. Learn from my mistakes and let your vacation itinerary breeeeeeeaattheeee.
When the Magic Fades
The next morning, the real adventure began. We had a packed itinerary, including a ticket to climb the famous Duomo. Our tour started at the Baptistery of Saint John (Battistero di San Giovanni), one of the oldest and most culturally significant buildings in Florence. The interior was a breathtaking sea of gold-leaf motifs and 700-year-old mosaics.
But halfway through, the magic faded. I started to feel overheated and woozy. It was hot, ancient churches don't exactly have central air conditioning, and I figured it was just standard jet lag.
Looking back now as a travel planner, I realize we had completely overstretched our first few days (thanks, weather in Newark). Burnout is real, and if you don't build breathing room into your itinerary, your body will eventually force you to take a break.
My body chose violence at the next museum.
By the time we walked in, I was in a full panic. The sweating turned into a desperate search for a trash can or a restroom. While the rest of the group listened intently to the guide, I quietly nudged my husband for the apartment keys. Thankfully, we were staying close by. I booked it back to the room and spent the next 24 hours praying to the porcelain god.
Feeling sick on the bathroom floor in Italy ( thats Italian Ginger Ale in that cup!)
Being sick in a foreign country is a whole different ball game. When you’re booking a hotel room or an Airbnb, do you ever stop and ask yourself: "Could I handle being sick in this room?" If the answer is yes, then I’d say book it!
I sent my husband to the local alimentari (grocery store) to pick up the universal sick-bay staples: crackers and ginger ale. Turns out, finding plain Saltine crackers when you don't speak the language is an Olympic sport. The packaging doesn't look the same, the brands are completely different, and my amazing husband was standing in the aisle using a translation app just to figure out what was a normal plain cracker and what was not.
Y’all, I don’t know what we are drinking over here in the States, but it sure as shit isn’t the ginger ale they have in Tuscany. It tasted nothing like home, but it calmed my stomach, and all we could do at this point was laugh.
There we were, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and I was completely down for the count. I finally ordered my husband to go out and roam Florence alone—there was no sense in both of us missing the city!
The next morning, we had a flight to Athens. And yes... I puked on the plane. More on that crazy trip later.
Travel isn't always picture-perfect postcards and flawless dinners. Sometimes it's unexpected stomach bugs, weird Italian soda, and navigating the local farmacia while dizzy. But honestly? Even the messy days are part of the adventure.