A Passion for Travel is Born
The Beginning
It was late, well past midnight, when the car I was riding in pulled to a stop on a cobblestone road in the middle of the city. I had finally arrived at my apartment in Florence after 3 flights and a 9 hour layover. The two large suitcases I had brought from Iowa were lost in transit and the only belongings I had were in my small backpack.
Florence, Italy
I had never been out of the U.S. before and this city was different than anything I’d known or left behind in Iowa. My heart was beating fast as I stepped out of the car and walked up the stairs to my apartment for the first time.
My Little Italian Apartment
I remember standing outside my apartment door that must have been at least 12 feet tall. I held a large skeleton key in my hand, put it to the door and twisted. The lock made a loud click as the door opened, and I will never forget that sound. The door was heavy and a breeze flooded the room. The two large windows in the living area were open, no screens just wide open to the outside. I was greeted by the sound of Vespas in the street below.
The patio was inviting, with that beautiful Italian countryside in the distance to the left and clay rooftop tiles all around. I opened the door and stepped out to a view of Cappelle Medici with the moon hanging in the distance.
In the days, and months that followed, I kept going back to my patio to soak in all the Italian sounds and the mountain view. With each passing day, I felt something growing inside my heart. I didn’t realize it quite yet, but my decision to study in Italy changed my life.
About Me
When I arrived back in my home state of Iowa, I realized travel would always be an important part of my life. Today, I work full time as a web designer at an agency in Des Moines. I also own a wedding photography business that has lead my husband, David, and I to realize the need for a fine art wedding venue in Iowa. This year, we purchased a homestead with an adorable cottage and barn in the rolling hills between Pella and Pleasantville, Iowa. We have big plans for the 1930 homestead; including adding a solarium to the barn, planting lavender, and renovating the bridal house to look like an English cottage.Travel is still one of my biggest passions. I’ve spent the past 12 years photographing countries around the world and meeting some very inspiring people including inventors, tobacco farmers in Cuba, and other travelers.
In the summer of 2018, I realized I had a collection of stories and photos that I wanted to preserve and share. So, I decided to pour my heart and soul into the creation of this blog. And I want to welcome you and thank you for being here with me. On the pages within this domain, you’ll find stories of these inspiring souls and places I’ve encounter along the way.
I hope to inspire readers to buy the ticket, step out into the unknown, and explore. Travel has truly changed me for the better, and I can’t wait to show you more.
Experience colorful food and cultures with me in a journey around the world.
For more from Instagram: @stephaniedaggettjoiner.