Getting to visit Poppi was a real eye opener; with all of the hustle and bustle of cities, I had nearly forgotten that there are much quieter places in Italy. This quaint village is located in the Province of Arezzo, and it’s been around since the time of knights and castles. Bordered on all sides by gorgeous mountains, Poppi is nestled a valley that belongs on a postcard. Now, my first day here was rather rainy, but I LOVED the Italian lesson. I’ve always thought that the Italian dialect is one of the most beautiful out there, so even a few words is a step in the right direction. To top the language learning, the tour of Poppi Castle literally blew my mind. The fact that it’s still standing is crazy enough, but the history of what it’s seen is extraordinary. As I wandered through the halls of my first real castle, I couldn’t help but to imagine the lives of the families who used to call this place home. Don’t even get me started on the library; I’m a bookworm, through and through. It was almost insanely difficult not to take a picture of the ancient tomes, as they were layered with gold and a plethora of valuable information. If I’d had the time, I would have stayed in that library for hours on end, just taking in the beauty on the shelves and admiring the collection. The rest of the castle was just as perfect, and if I ever return to Tuscany, you can bet I’ll be back.