The offseason finally hit, and honestly, everyone was waiting to see where the sports world's golden couple would land. After a grueling year of Paul Skenes dominating the mound and Olivia Dunne wrapping up her legendary LSU gymnastics career, they didn't just go to a beach. They went to Sicily. Specifically, Taormina. If you’ve seen the livvy dunne romantic italian vacation photos flooding your feed recently, you know it wasn't just a quick trip. It was a victory lap.
They basically escaped a massive East Coast Nor'easter to find 70-degree sun and sparkling Mediterranean water. Talk about timing.
The Sicily Vibe: Why Taormina?
Most people think of Rome or Florence when they hear "Italy getaway," but Livvy and Paul went for the dramatic cliffs of Sicily. It’s a bit more rugged. A bit more private. Taormina is that hilltop town you see in movies where the streets are narrow and the pasta costs more than your shoes.
Livvy started the breadcrumb trail on Instagram with a photo of her passport at the airport. Classic traveler move. But once they touched down, the "Selfini" era began. That was her caption on a series of shots that nearly broke the internet—a white textured bikini with pale blue trim, posed against the backdrop of the Sicilian coastline.
The lighting was perfect. You could see her trademark freckles and that "I'm retired from 20 hours of practice a week" glow.
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Boats, Wine, and Shirtless Pirates
The real highlights, though, weren't the selfies. It was the candid stuff. One video showed Paul Skenes—the Pirates' ace and basically the most feared rookie in baseball—shirtless on a yacht, wearing green swim trunks and sipping red wine. He looked a long way from PNC Park.
Livvy was right there with him in a chic black swimsuit, white wine in hand. They weren't just posing; they were clinking glasses and laughing over a massive spread of local Italian snacks. It felt remarkably normal for two people with a combined following that could fill several stadiums.
One moment that got a lot of traction was Livvy doing a headstand on a paddleboard. You can take the girl out of the gym, but you can’t take the balance out of the girl. It was a subtle flex of her athletic roots amidst all the leisure.
What the Photos Tell Us About the Couple
There’s been a lot of talk about their "easy chemistry." You’ve probably seen the headlines. But looking at these photos, it’s less about the "brand" and more about two 20-somethings finally having a minute to breathe.
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- The Birthday Factor: This trip came right after Livvy turned 23. It felt like a combined celebration of her birthday, her retirement from LSU, and Paul's incredible rookie season.
- The Escape: They literally flew out just as a storm was hitting New York and New Jersey. That kind of luck—or planning—just adds to the "magical" vibe she described in her stories.
- The Style Evolution: Gone are the days of just leotards. Livvy is leaning hard into the "Ms. Worldwide" aesthetic. We saw everything from ribbed sweaters for the flight to high-end Italian beachwear.
Honestly, it's a bit of a shift. We’re seeing more lifestyle content and less "gymnast" content. Since her final season ended in April 2025, she’s been vocal about wanting to travel and enjoy her 20s. Sicily seems to be the blueprint for that.
Addressing the Viral "Sweat-Stain" Moment
You can't talk about their recent public appearances without mentioning the weirdly viral "armpit" moment from one of Paul’s last games. Some "fans" tried to troll her for having sweat stains on a grey shirt while she was watching him pitch.
She handled it like a pro. Before the Italy trip, she clapped back, basically saying anyone would break a sweat being a Pirates fan. It was witty. It was fast. By the time the livvy dunne romantic italian vacation photos dropped, that "controversy" was buried under a mountain of Sicilian sunshine and white bikinis.
Behind the Lens: The Realities of Celeb Vacations
While the photos look effortless, there's always a level of curation. But the Sicily trip felt a bit more raw than her previous shoots in places like Puerto Rico or Bermuda for Sports Illustrated.
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- Privacy is Hard: Even in Taormina, they were spotted by fans and paparazzi.
- The "Off" Season: For Paul, this is the only time he gets to be a regular guy. No throwing program, no media scrums. Just red wine on a boat.
- The Influencer Work: Even on vacation, Livvy is working. Every "Selfini" is a piece of content that keeps her NIL-style empire growing.
It's a weird balance to strike. You're trying to have a romantic getaway, but you're also one of the most followed athletes on the planet.
Why Sicily Still Matters for Travel Trends
Expect to see a massive spike in Taormina bookings. That’s the "Livvy Effect." Whenever she posts a specific location or a specific brand (like her long-term partnership with Vuori), people follow.
If you're planning your own version of this trip, here's what you actually need to know based on their itinerary:
- Taormina is the base. Stay near the Corso Umberto if you want the views.
- Boat rentals are a must. You can't see the "Blue Grotto" properly from the shore.
- Timing is everything. October in Sicily is the "sweet spot"—warm enough for a bikini, but the summer crowds have mostly thinned out.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Trip
If you want to capture the same vibe as those famous vacation photos, focus on these three things:
- Golden Hour is King: Every one of Livvy's best shots was taken during the "blue hour" or right as the sun was hitting the cliffs.
- Mix High and Low: Pair a designer swimsuit with something simple, like a ribbed sweater for the breezy boat rides.
- Don't Forget the Food: Some of the most "liked" photos weren't of the couple, but of the insane spreads of pasta and local wine. People love the "aesthetic" of Italian dining as much as the scenery.
The Sicily trip is over now—they've already been spotted back in the States doing a USO tour for the troops—but the photos remain the gold standard for how to do a "celebrity offseason" right. No drama, just good wine and better views.