‘Starting a blog has never felt this easy,’ I kept telling myself this morning as I tossed about in bed. With a brilliant graphic designer friend helping out, a local from Elba backing me up, and plenty of stories to share, it honestly felt like a doddle. But still, every beginning’s a bit of a struggle. Whether it’s kicking off a blog or your very first day at work, the start always comes with its own challenges – big hopes, and a bit of nerves too. That said, starting something new is exactly what makes life exciting and keeps us buzzing, so let’s crack on!
Right, first things first: I’m Arianna, 28 years old, and I hail from a tiny town just outside Bergamo. That’s where I was born, where my family and mates live, and where my wonderful dog’s waiting for me. Truth is, in my young life, a few places have really meant a lot to me. First up, Milan – the city I live and work in now, where I spent six long years at uni and had my first taste of living solo. It’s the city that’s got it all and can do anything, full of big experiences and where I really grew up.
Then there’s the States, where I did a six-month Erasmus at the Missouri School of Journalism. That’s where I fell even more in love with languages and made some of the best memories ever, with amazing mates I still hold close to my heart. Honestly, at least once a year, me and my two best international pals – one German, one Scottish – make a point to catch up, have a laugh, and celebrate the fact we’ve all come back together. (Whenever I think back to that last time we said our goodbyes at the airport, I still get a bit teary…)
And then, there’s her: the Island of Elba. Which is exactly why we’re here. Now you’re probably wondering, what’s a girl from Bergamo, totally crazy about the States and living in Milan, doing writing about the Island of Elba? Is she just another (adopted) Milanese making things all gloomy? (Just having a laugh!) The big surprise is that my love for Elba grew right alongside meeting someone special: Dario. He’s a proper Elban, born and bred in Portoferraio, who later moved to the gorgeous little seaside town of Marina di Campo — a summer favourite with loads of tourists.
It was July 2020 when we met, exactly on the 31st. My parents and I, to celebrate the end of lockdown (and we had no idea it’d only be the first of many…), decided to switch up our summer plans from Versilia to the much-loved Elba Island. It’s where my parents had a holiday when my brother was just three, and thirty years on, they found it just as wild and stunning as they remembered. That family holiday, much to everyone’s surprise (mine included), ended up kicking off a proper love story.
Love for Elba, sure, but also for the face behind the Motonave Baby Princess: Dario, who—drumroll please!—is now my boyfriend! Yep, Dario runs a boat for excursions and group trips with his dad Antonio, who’s the captain. That’s where my family and I chose to spend that very 31st of July 2020. So, is it a bit clearer now why I’m popping in here? Dario and I started seeing each other after that holiday, and despite all the mess with yellow, red, and orange zones that were going to keep us apart, we stuck it out. And here we are today, sharing this lovely little story.
That’s why Elba means so much to me, and why I’m so excited to tell you all about the Baby Princess, that cheeky ‘prison’ boat — I’ll be sharing loads more about her in upcoming posts! This blog idea popped up quite by chance, with a bit of a nudge from my friends, and it’s all about sharing Elba from my own perspective—just like anyone might do for somewhere special to them. I really hope this page becomes a light-hearted, fun, and maybe even a little bit moving spot for you to discover a wonderful island from a fresh point of view. At the same time, I’m going to share bits of my story here, in a space that’s open to everyone, where I can chat about what’s on my mind and invite you to join in too.
After all, our lives are like stories – all you have to do is be willing to share them.
