Italy 2010

I first went to Italy in 2006 to fulfill my cross cultural requirements for graduation from Spring Arbor University. Little did I know that three weeks in a country I previously had little interest in would leave me longing to return almost every day after. So, in January of this year, when everything seemed to be lining up right, Matt and I decided to take the jump and plan our Italy 2010 trip for March! We did a whirlwind trip for 10 days. It was so fun to show Matt all the things I had wished I could have shared with him the first time (we were engaged at the time).

We fit in most of the major sites, but most enjoyed the quiet non-touristy stuff. Like our 24 hours spent in Assisi, where the tourist season had not yet started. It was surreal to venture through the super quiet medieval streets at night. We stumbled upon La Bottega dei Sapori, where Fabrazio showered us with Italian hospitality, feeding us various delicious samples of his family's olive oil, truffle oil, balsamic vinegar, and the like. He made us the best pork paninis and sent us off with hugs and kisses!

Our hike in Cinque Terre was amazing too. We hiked from Vernazza to Corniglia, conquering the heights and taking in the view down the cliff and across the sea. It felt like we were the only people on the side of the cliff.

Then there was the evening we spent in Fiesole, just outside Florence. We got there just too late to see the sun set over the city, but we did enjoy looking at the city lights from such a high, quiet perch. Then we enjoyed a quiet dinner at Ristorante Perseus, where we used almost all Italian when conversing with our waiter! Matt had learned how to ask for a glass of red house wine, and I learned how to ask what they recommended and ask for the bill. Between the two of us, we had it covered!

Near the end of our trip, when we were in Venice, we took one of the water buses to the island of Burano, which was one of my favorite places last time. The houses are incredibly colorful, it's away from the bustle, and they have oh-so-gorgeous linens and hand-made lace. We enjoyed a cappuccino off at a quiet corner by the water (being near water always makes my heart sing!) and just relaxed.

I hope you enjoy the little glimpse of Italy that I brought back with me!

**********

This is Bernini's Baldacchino in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. That basilica is so amazingly ornate and beautiful!


Rocca Maggiore, the castle at the top of Assisi, was just a short walk from our hotel. It offers such beautiful views of the area.


This is a view from our hike in Cinque Terre, looking at Corniglia. It wasn't a very clear day, so the waters weren't quite as vibrantly blue as I saw them last, but it was still stunning.


One of our many self-portraits: overlooking Florence from Piazza Michelangelo. We climbed the Duomo (one of my favorite things!) earlier in the day.


The view from Ponte Vecchio in Florence:


Another self-portrait: Standing on the Rialto Bridge in Venice. I think we were laughing because it was proving difficult to get a good self-portrait!


The view of Venice from a water bus.


This is a little taste of the neat textures and colors you find when you're on a gondola ride in the back canals of Venice.


The view from our gondola:


A window on Burano, the most colorful place in the world (in my opinion!):


Reflections of Burano: