Chrissy Teigen and John Legend have traveled the world together – jetting to Bali, Morocco and Venice among other romantic destinations — but, Teigen says, she’ll always remember their first big trip, because it left her in tears.
“The very first time John and I went [to Lake Como], we were in our first year of dating and it was so magical,” she recalls in an interview for Chase Sapphire’s Talking Travel series. “We say we fell in love there because it was such a beautiful place and the timing was perfect for us to take our relationship to the next level.”
The tears, of course, where the happy kind. “I remember crying when it was over because I wondered if anything could be so perfect again,” she says. “Luckily, we’ve gotten the chance to go back there many times since then.”
The couple shot the video for Legend’s song “All of Me” in the Northern Italy town (and did a goofy recreation of the steamy shoot while visiting in 2016), were married at a hotel there in September 2013, and have now made the trip with daughter Luna in tow.
“Lake Como will always have a special place in my heart,” she says. “Venice has so much charm, Florence has the best food, but Lake Como will always be my favorite place.”
The rest of Italy is a favorite stop for the family, too. “We go every year, and every year I love it,” says Teigen.
The cookbook author, who’s expecting her second child with Legend, even dishes on her favorite restaurants and hotels in the region. “The Gritti Palace in Venice is one of my favorite hotels anywhere. It’s right on the Grand Canal and the views are incredible,” she says.
In Florence, find the pair dining at Ora d’Aria or Ristorante Il Latini. The latter is “down a side street, and John and I just had to go there after hearing so much about it,” she reveals. “The food was insane and the atmosphere is also a big part of what made it so special.”
Even a casual traveler is sure to have a memorable visit in the country, Teigen says. “Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong while you’re there.”
This article originally appeared on People.