Please Note: Originally shared in March 2024, this story has been republished in February 2025 to celebrate the debut of CNN’s Chance Encounters podcast.
Bianca Gignac found herself swimming under the night sky, surrounded by vibrant cliffside dwellings, in the company of a stranger, her clothes carelessly strewn on a nearby rock. This unexpected scenario unfolded in the harbor of Riomaggiore, the most southern of the five charming fishing villages comprising Italy’s Cinque Terre region. Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea, it boasts breathtaking scenery.
Reflecting on her experience with CNN Travel, Bianca raves, “The Cinque Terre is truly unparalleled. It’s like a dream you can’t grasp until you’re there. A must-see destination.”
Enchanted by Riomaggiore’s allure, Bianca fortuitously found herself swimming – sans attire – with a newfound acquaintance. The two strangers shared laughter, splashes, and cherished the moment amidst the phosphorescent waters under the starlit sky.
Recalling that perfect evening on July 26, 2003, Bianca, a Canadian college student in her mid-20s, was spending her summer in Italy pursuing studies in fine arts. A scholarship from the Italian Cultural Institute of Vancouver had brought her to Florence, fulfilling her lifelong dream of exploring Europe.
Bianca had initially arrived in Florence nursing a broken heart. However, as her Italian sojourn progressed, the country’s charm gradually healed her wounds and restored her sense of self. “That summer turned out to be the most incredible journey of self-discovery for me,” she shares.
Just three days prior to her return home, a spontaneous decision led Bianca and her friend to the enchanting Cinque Terre. Little did she know that this impromptu trip would introduce her to Alessandro Morelli, a local from La Spezia, the neighboring city to Riomaggiore.
Alessandro, then in his twenties and employed at the local shipyard, led a predictable life, characterized by stability and routine. On that fateful July 26 evening, he was attending a friend’s birthday celebration on the beach in Riomaggiore.
Strolling through the village with a friend, Alessandro’s path crossed with Bianca’s at an outdoor bar nestled in the cliffs. Their eyes met, sparking an immediate connection. Enthralled by Bianca’s beauty, Alessandro made a bold move and approached her table, eventually striking up a conversation.
Recalling their initial encounter, Bianca remembers being struck by Alessandro’s kindness and genuine nature. As they conversed through the night, their budding connection transcended language barriers, with Bianca’s limited Italian prompting them to communicate in English.
Thus, amidst the quaint setting of the bar overlooking the bobbing boats, the
Bianca and Alessandro met in the charming village of Riomaggiore, which is part of the beautiful Cinque Terre region. After spending time at a birthday party, Alessandro suggested a spontaneous nighttime swim in the dark sea. Initially hesitant, Bianca eventually agreed, feeling safe and carefree in Alessandro’s company. The impromptu skinny dipping turned out to be a joyful end to the evening.
The next morning, Alessandro and his friend surprised Bianca with a boat trip to celebrate her birthday. They spent the day exploring the picturesque Cinque Terre villages, basking in the sun and enjoying each other’s company. Bianca and Alessandro became inseparable for the rest of the weekend, embracing the carefree Italian summer lifestyle of beach visits, pizza outings, and leisurely walks.
Despite having plans to leave for Canada, Bianca found it difficult to part ways with Alessandro after spending just a few days together. As she prepared to catch her train to Rome, they shared a final dinner together, realizing that they couldn’t say goodbye. Bianca ultimately decided to stay, missing her train and flight to extend her vacation with Alessandro.
Their spontaneous decision to stay longer in Riomaggiore marked the beginning of a new chapter in Bianca’s Italian summer romance with Alessandro.
– Back then, Cinque Terre was not as crowded as it is today, so that request was potentially doable. The owner, who knew Alessandro, simply looked at the two of them and burst into laughter. “It’s a small village,” said Bianca. “He patted Alessandro on the back and handed him the keys.”
Over the next ten days, Bianca and Alessandro grew even closer. “We didn’t have to try hard or force anything. It all felt completely natural, and we just spent every minute together for a week,” Bianca recalled. “He even introduced me to his mother, Paola, almost immediately. I sat in their kitchen, and she was so kind. She made sure I was well-fed, of course.”
Alessandro also took Bianca on rides around the hilltops of Cinque Terre on the back of his scooter. They spent long days exploring and chatting. “And then, I really had to leave,” said Bianca. “When we said goodbye at the train station, I couldn’t help but cry. I thought, ‘I’ll never see you again.’ I genuinely believed that we wouldn’t meet again.”
Back in Canada, Bianca focused on her college degree. She was entering her final year and was determined to graduate. She tried to push Alessandro out of her mind, but before leaving Italy, they had exchanged contact information.
While Bianca assumed they would never reunite, Alessandro was convinced otherwise. He made an effort to stay in touch. “I started calling her, and we spoke over the phone,” he said.
These conversations became more frequent. By Christmas, Alessandro suggested that Bianca should return to Italy and stay with him for the holidays. “I have school,” Bianca hesitated. “I can’t afford a trip to Italy.”
“I have a stable job,” reassured Alessandro. “I will buy your plane ticket.” The thought of seeing Alessandro again and returning to Italy overwhelmed Bianca. Despite months apart, she had dreamt of night swimming in Riomaggiore, exploring together, and dining at cliffside restaurants. So, she decided to take the plunge.
“Okay, I’m coming,” Bianca told Alessandro over the phone. When she shared her plans with her college friends, some doubted the relationship’s longevity. But one friend predicted, “He bought you a ticket? You’re going to marry him and have babies.”
“I don’t think so,” Bianca dismissed the notion. “But let’s see.” Bianca spent the holiday season with Alessandro and his family in La Spezia. Although the visit lasted just over a week, by the time Bianca returned to Canada in early 2004, she and Alessandro had made a pact: when she graduated, she would return to Italy.
“That was our plan. I went back home, wrapped things up, and graduated,” Bianca recounted.
“I phoned my family and announced, ‘I’m getting married in three weeks. I apologize for the short notice. I understand that it might be difficult for you to hear about the upcoming wedding so suddenly, but it’s happening,’ Bianca reminisces. Although her loved ones were taken aback, they were supportive. ‘Despite having a long-distance relationship for a while, our commitment was evident enough for people to recognize that it was serious,’ she explains.
‘We spontaneously went to city hall, got married on a Friday, took the day off work, and showed up in our everyday clothes. I went to the nearby florist, got a baby’s breath, and adorned my hair with it.’ Alessandro’s friend, who had been present the night the couple met in Riomaggiore, translated the wedding ceremony from Italian to English for Bianca. Alessandro’s family also attended and raised a toast to their future.
Bianca and Alessandro spent the next two years living and working in Italy, including a period residing with Alessandro’s mother. Although Bianca had initial reservations about moving in, living together under one roof allowed her to form strong bonds with Alessandro’s family. ‘His entire family lived there. His aunt resided upstairs, his uncle used to live downstairs – it was the ancestral home built by his grandfather. It was an incredible experience for me to immerse myself in this culture and become a part of his life,’ Bianca recalls.
Following their time with family, Bianca and Alessandro lived in their own apartment, cherishing the present moment and relishing their time together. However, they encountered challenges navigating cultural differences and the early stages of married life, which taught them the importance of patience in their relationship. ‘Patience and understanding are vital in any relationship, but even more so when bridging different cultures,’ says Alessandro. ‘In an international relationship, compassion and understanding are crucial,’ adds Bianca.
Bianca worked in a gelateria, a demanding job that ultimately helped her master the Italian language. Over time, she became fluent and acclimated to life in La Spezia. After two years, they decided to move to Canada, specifically Vancouver Island, where Bianca’s family resided. This marked a new chapter in their lives.
‘We bought a house and I became pregnant within a month,’ Bianca shares. ‘We established a life in Canada and welcomed our daughter.’ As Bianca adjusted to life in Canada, caring for a newborn and later a toddler, a business idea began to take shape in her mind. This idea evolved into Italian Fix, a tour company based in Canada offering specialized Italian small group tours to provide visitors with an authentic Italian experience.
Inspired by her time in Italy and the lifestyle she had embraced, Bianca launched Italian Fix. The company’s inaugural trip naturally took guests to the Cinque Terre. ‘I led my first group of nine guests, introducing them to all the connections
“The Cinque Terre,” reminisces Bianca. “That was the beginning and the seed of the company that I have been overseeing for 12 years now.” Alessandro, on the other hand, felt “happy and enthusiastic” about establishing a foothold in Canada. He landed a good engineering job and concentrated on co-parenting with Bianca. Despite noticing “many differences” between Italy and Canada, Alessandro viewed them as “mostly positive.” He frequently accompanied Bianca on her trips to Italy, bringing along their daughter to spend time with their Italian relatives. Bianca and Alessandro have been together for over two decades.
Their joint dedication to work, family, and travel became the cornerstone of their family life. “Even though we grew up in different countries, we share the same worldview. It is about working hard, seizing opportunities, not giving up on oneself and one’s dreams, and witnessing the incredible life that can be built together,” Bianca remarks. “This is a value we instill in our daughter – to embrace opportunities that come her way. That’s how we have lived our lives.”
The family has resided in Canada since then, except for a year spent living in Costa Rica. Bianca reflects, “Everything falls into place once you move to one country – moving to others doesn’t seem as daunting.” Recalling their year living on a white sand beach in Costa Rica, she describes it as one of their best experiences. Their daughter, now a teenager, has visited various parts of Italy and is fluent in Italian. Bianca and Alessandro still make it a priority to take her to Italy whenever possible.
“Italy holds a special place in our hearts,” says Bianca. “It’s not just a magical place where we relive our initial connection; it’s home, our second home.” Looking back on their 20-year journey together, Alessandro and Bianca express feelings of gratitude and pride. “Our relationship has evolved in countless ways over the years,” Alessandro acknowledges. “But at the core, we remain the same – two young individuals who desired a fulfilling life and were courageous enough to embrace it.”
Always looking ahead to exciting opportunities in work, travel, and family life, they trust their instincts and leap into what feels right, akin to how they embarked on their romance back in July 2003. “All that we have built and achieved are the results of seizing the opportunities that came our way,” says Alessandro. “Over our 20 years together, the lesson learned is to never miss a train because it may not pass by again.”
“Or perhaps miss the train,” Bianca interjects with a laugh. “Because then you get to stay, like I did.” To access more CNN news and newsletters, you can create an account at CNN.com.
