A Week in the Life: M’s Au Pair Diary from Italy
Every week, our au pairs share a quick check-in about how life abroad is going — the wins, the quiet moments, and everything in between. Here’s what one of our au pairs in Italy shared about her week, including a day trip to Lake Bracciano that turned into one of her favorite memories so far.
What were you grateful for this week?
I ran into a girl I knew from Canada this week while at church. It was awesome to be able to catch up randomly with a friend.
What was the most challenging part of this week?
Boredom. I have a lot more free time than I expected, so I’ve been working on finding ways to fill my time.
Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week.
I bought a notebook for my host family’s daughter so she could write down words she doesn’t know in Italian, and I can write down the English word for her.
Tell us about your week!
The weather this week has been pretty rainy, so I’ve stayed inside a lot more than usual. I bought a book and have been reading, which has been nice since it’s been so long since I’ve had time to sit down with a novel.
I did some more exploring and went to Bracciano for a day trip on Saturday. It was so pretty, and the lake was beautiful — if the weather had been warmer, I would have loved to go for a swim. The castle there was really cool and interesting.
Learned about Isabella de’ Medici’s “red room” at the castle — that one detail sent me down a rabbit hole about the whole Medici family.
I asked my host dad about the Medici family since I’d learned a little about them in art history, which then led to a conversation about WWII. It was interesting to get an Italian perspective on the war.
I also went out Friday night, which was fun — you get to see all the musicians come out at night. I’ve been working on talking to people more while I’m out. I usually keep to myself, but I need more interaction with people since I don’t really know many folks here yet. So I’ve been meeting people from all over just by starting conversations, and it’s been really cool. And like I mentioned, seeing a friend at church was one of the highlights of my week.
FAQ: Day Trips from Rome to Lake Bracciano
Where is Bracciano, and is it easy to visit as a day trip?
Lake Bracciano is a scenic lake town not far from Rome, making it a popular day-trip destination for au pairs and travelers who want a break from the city without a long journey.
What is there to do in Bracciano?
The main draws are the lake itself and Bracciano Castle (Castello Orsini-Odescalchi), which is known for its history connected to the Orsini and Medici families, including the story of Isabella de’ Medici.
Do au pairs get time for trips like this?
Yes — au pairs typically have set days and evenings off each week, which is exactly the kind of free time that makes weekend trips like a visit to Bracciano possible.
Do I need to speak Italian to enjoy a trip like this?
No. Many au pairs take trips like this while still building their Italian, and exploring a new town is a great low-pressure way to practice.
Quiet weeks, spontaneous day trips, and unexpected history lessons from your host dad — this is what everyday life as an au pair in Italy can look like.
Part of the Rome Abroad team helping young women live and work abroad as au pairs since 2015.
