She chose to forego her departing flight to Italy, aiming to prolong her vacation-turned-romance. Subsequent events unfolded as follows.
Canadian college student Bianca Gignac, grieving a failed relationship, found solace and rediscovered her self-worth in the picturesque Italian city of Florence. Armed with a scholarship from the Italian Cultural Institute of Vancouver, she immersed herself in the Italian lifestyle, eventually overcoming her heartache and having an incredible summer.
In the final few days before her return to Canada, Bianca was lured to the Cinque Terre region by her friend's romantic tales and fell head over heels for its charm. There, she met Alessandro Morelli, a twentysomething local from La Spezia, who worked at the local shipyard. Their connection was instant, and despite the language barrier, they spent hours talking during their chance encounter in one of Riomaggiore's cliffside bars overlooking the bobbing boats in the harbor.
Bianca missed her midnight train to Rome, determined to spend more time with the captivating Alessandro. When she told the vacation rental owner she wanted to extend her stay, they laughed and handed the keys over, impressed by their passionate connection. For the next ten days, Bianca and Alessandro grew ever closer, exploring the beautiful Cinque Terre together.
At the risk of sounding cliche, fate had other plans. Back in Canada, Bianca's friends were taken aback by her sudden change of heart, but a persistent Alessandro kept in touch. He eventually convinced her to return to Italy for the holidays, and after a sarcastic bet from one of her friends, Bianca agreed to give it a chance.
Upon her return to Italy, Bianca and Alessandro's relationship intensified, and three months later, they were married spontaneously in a city hall ceremony. Despite initial skepticism from friends and family, the young couple's whirlwind romance proved to be stable and founded in genuine love. They spent the next two years living and working in Italy, growing closer to Alessandro's loved ones and eventually relocating to Vancouver Island in Canada.
Fast forward to present day, and Bianca now runs a successful tour company, Italian Fix, offering tailored Italian experiences based on her unforgettable experiences. Despite settling down and starting a family in Canada, the couple still maintains strong connections to the land of their tryst, regularly visiting and sharing their love of Italy with their teenage daughter. For Bianca and Alessandro, their love story is a testament to the transformative power of chance encounters and the thrill of jumping on that train, even when it might derail your original plans.
After their whirlwind romance in Italy, Bianca and Alessandro decided to explore the country further. They embarked on a spectacular hiking trip through the Italian Alps, taking in the breathtaking views and creating unforgettable memories.
Bianca's tour company, Italian Fix, often includes a visit to La Spezia's shipyard in its itineraries. She enjoys sharing the story of how she met her husband and how the city played a significant role in their love story.
As a tribute to their shared love for adventure, Bianca and Alessandro planned a trips for their teenage daughter. They wanted to introduce her to the landscape and culture that had inspired them to try something new and follow their hearts, just like they did in the Cinque Terre shipyard.
