educational - Compass Roam

The Ultimate Rome Travel Guide

They say all roads lead to Rome. Twelve years ago I felt the pull of the Eternal City as I selected my study abroad location. As a history major, it doesn’t get any cooler than studying THE empire on its home turf. My time overseas ignited my passion for travel — I wanted to see…

Florence & Tuscany Travel Guide with a Baby

It’s hard to find the words to properly convey how special Italy is. The cities and towns are picture-postcard perfect, especially in Tuscany where you can let your imagination run wild exploring Medieval towers, stare for hours at the rolling hilltops, and walk through the colorful historical streets of Florence, Lucca, and Siena. And if…

The Ultimate Guide to Turkey: Istanbul and Cappadocia

Our vacation to Istanbul and Cappadocia was an intentional stretch into something more exotic. Istanbul has often been referred to as, “the crossroads of civilizations” for good reason – the culture is a blend of both European and Islamic influences, drawing from its rich history of Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman influences. This union is apparent…

Travel Guide Sicily’s East Coast: Syracuse and Taormina

Sicily somewhat reminds me of the Texas of Italy. They are a proud people — boastful of both their Italian heritage, and their own Sicilian micro-culture and land (think Texas pride, or “Texas forever,” for those Friday Night Lights fans). They identify themselves as Sicilian first, Italian second. And even though Sicilians share a deeply-rooted…