Hello again, and thank you for joining me on my fragrant journey!

I'm excited to share my summer vacation experience with you. As you know, I'm a big fan of Bal d'Afrique, a fragrance that's perfect for summer. However, for this trip, I decided to leave it behind and explore something new. This time, we headed to Italy, returning to Tuscany after a few years of staying closer to home in the Netherlands or heading to France.

The first thing to consider when packing? What to wear—not just clothes and a bikini, but what scent to wear on my skin!Since Bal d'Afrique doesn't last long on my skin, I wanted to introduce myself to something fresh and new for the summer. I packed Nida by Gallivant and Summer Hammer by Lorenzo Pazzaglia, both of which I've admired on others and hoped would suit me just as well.

The journey to Tuscany was long—14 hours in the car—but I deliberately stepped in without wearing any fragrance. The only scent accompanying me was the aroma of coffee along the way. I wanted to keep my palette neutral, ready to experience my chosen fragrances in a new environment, hoping that one of them would become the olfactory memory of this holiday.

This vacation was all about relaxation—chilling at the beach, enjoying delicious food, catching up on much-needed sleep,and spending time with good company. After a day at the beach, I finally had the chance to try Nida. It greeted me with a floral freshness that felt just right for a summer evening out.

Did you know Nida is a town in Lithuania? It's nestled between forest and beach and is known for its unique birdlife.Gallivant, the brand behind Nida, names its perfumes after cities around the world, each scent capturing the essence of its namesake. How wonderful to experience a city in this way, or to have a bottle that reminds you of a place you've visited?All Gallivant bottles are similar, except for Nida, which features a special painting reflecting the florals and birds of the city—such a beautiful touch!

As we headed out for dinner, I noticed a fresh, sweet scent lingering around me. It wasn't the food; it was Nida, which had dried down into something I absolutely loved. The combination of florals, amber, and a touch of powdery sweetness made it perfect for a summer evening. It lasted all night, and I couldn't stop sniffing my arms!

The next day, it was time for some shopping—another favorite activity of mine! This time, I wore Summer Hammer by Lorenzo Pazzaglia. Wow, this scent was like a fruity summer cocktail, bursting with tropical vibes. True to its name, it felt like summer in a bottle and now summer on my skin. The longevity was impressive; I could still smell it on my clothes the next day!

As the days went by, I realized that Summer Hammer had become my go-to daytime scent, while Nida was my choice for the evenings. I couldn't pick a favorite between them; both made me fall in love all over again every time I sprayed them.Nida, with its refined sweetness, and Summer Hammer, with its explosive tropical energy, perfectly complemented the hot Tuscan weather.

Now that I'm back home, these scents transport me straight back to Italy every time I close my eyes and take a whiff. It's a wonderful way to relive my holiday!