Maria Sharapova loves Italy. She just got back from vacation in Italy. If you ask her where she wants to go on vacation next, it's Italy. (Ischia, Venice, Tuscany, and Sicily to be slightly more precise.) For the Olympic medalist and five time Grand Slam winner who travels more than 25 weeks out of the year, finding a place where you can just turn off is key—and quick three-day city breaks to Rome and Positano in between tournaments and training have done just that. This week, she's far from the Mediterranean, competing against Serena Williams in the first round of the U.S. Open in New York City—but before the Russian player hit the court, we sat down to chat about her love for the boot-shaped country, her favorite solo trips, and how she's made a home for herself in the U.S.

Read the show notes and a full transcription of the episode here: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/maria-sharapova-women-who-travel-podcast