It was a glorious spring day when I arrived in Rome for the start of my birthday celebration and Italian adventure. Admittedly, it was an ambitious itinerary that included the requisite Roman sightseeing, a visit to Loyola University’s sister campus, two days in Sicily, then on to the Amalfi coast and a very special “family reunion” of sorts in Salerno, before returning home to Chicago.

Because I always like to have cultural themes to heighten my travel experience, during my flight to Rome I watched Roman Holiday and The Godfather (parts one and two), making mental notes. I stayed at The Westin Excelsior, the perfect central location for the first part of my journey.

Enjoying the view from the balcony at the Hilton Sorrento Palace.

I carefully traversed the broken cobblestone streets on foot to visit the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and all 135 of the Spanish Steps. The most memorable stop was St. Peter’s Basilica, which left me with a real sense of awe and wonder. I was then honored to be the guest of Dr. Todd Waller, director, John Felice Center, the focal point for Loyola’s sister university. It’s a bit outside the city center in a lovely neighborhood. Even though it was the first day of summer classes, Dr. Waller and his staff were most gracious.

At Loyola’ s Rome campus with executive director Dr. Todd Waller.

I then headed to Sicily via ITA Airways. I flew it a total of four times around Southern Italy and was impressed. Tip: Buy a Superior ticket for a few extra euros, which allows you to fly first class and have access to a terrific lounge at FCO. My ultimate destination after landing in Palermo was the town of Corleone. While The Godfather movies were not actually filmed there, it is widely considered the epicenter of early underworld influence. I took a private tour of “The (Real) Godfather’s House,” once owned by an influential local capo and now by Salvatore Gennaro, a local resident who has carefully restored it to its original form.

View from Corleone balcony, just like the movie.

At The Real Godfather House in Corleone. Fun fact—Al Pacino’s grandparents are supposedly from there. Ha!

Then it was on to a quick stop in Sorrento for the fabulous scenery, followed by a harrowing drive on the winding and hilly roads, paying appropriate respects to Mt. Vesuvius, and finally arriving in Salerno, my last stop. I came here specifically to visit Caffe Castorino, headquarters of Castorino Coffee, hoping there might be a familial connection. I received the royal treatment from Carla Sessa and Francesca Castorino, the owner’s wife, who after much banter between us in broken English and Italian, decided we must indeed be related. My tour included watching how the beans were ground and brewed and how each different coffee was ultimately prepared and packaged. It was fun and a little bit daunting to see my last name on all of the signage. Of course, we enjoyed many toasts to life. A fitting ending to a rejuvenating and wonderful journey. Arrivederci, Italy and Sicily, and cent anne!

Visiting Caffe Castorino, coffee roasters, in Salerno.

With my ‘cousin’ Carla Sessa at Caffe Castorino headquarters.

— Sue Castorino, Globility Board member and guest blogger