Summer Spritz

I remember this day so vividly because it was filled with the essence of a European summer.

My host family and I were heading down the coast towards Syracuse, it was my final road trip with them, as my stay was coming to an end. We travelled in a weathered old car, the air-conditioning working tirelessly against the relentless heat of a summer heatwave. Every time we stepped outside, it felt like walking into a solid wall of hot air.

On our way back, we stopped at a small beachside café the view was nothing short of breathtaking. Vibrant umbrellas dotted the pale sands, their colours bursting against the coastline. Families and friends laughed and splashed in the water and with the melodic hum of Italian conversation from a nearby table, which then broke into laughter, a sound so infectious you couldn’t help but giggle yourself. I had to pause, taking it all in, feeling utterly immersed in the culture. It was one of those moments you look back on, where everything was just perfect.