Yesterday I was clowning around, searching for an old photo to accompany a birthday wish for a friend and I happened to scroll through our Big Fat Italian Anniversary photos. Some of you may recall my posts about that trip and the dozens of photos I shared, of the over five-thousand that we shot.
Our trip began in Rome and ended (too soon) in Positano. We took several excursions by land and by sea; each was spectacular beyond our wildest dreams thanks to the exceptional attention to detail of IC Bellagio. Looking at the photos and reminiscing about that amazing experience, the food, the people, the wonderful celebration of our love, has made my husband and I think about returning to Italy. Someday. Of course, I wonder if it would be as perfect as it was the first time, but I’m willing to give a chance.
Hint, Hint
One place we’d like to spend some time exploring is San Gimignano, pronounced Jim~n~Yanno (kind of like John~n~Yoko, only different). We made a couple of stops on our way from Rome to Florence. First in Siena, where we had a delicious lunch. Then the view, oh, the view, was heavenly from the treasure that is San Gimignano.
The View
Parking, being at a premium everywhere, when it was even possible, our driver dropped us off at one end and met us on the other end. Taking our time, we paused for an espresso before exploring the quaint shops along the pedestrian only thoroughfare that lead to the palazzo where we discovered the BEST GELATO IN THE WORLD.
Saffron Creme & Chocolate Gelato
Trips such as this only happen once in a lifetime, but I swear I hear San Gimignano calling.
Honie Briggs 
My little sister, a Studio Arts major, is simply DYING to go to Italy. Her enthusiasm is infectious and Italy is permanently on my “Countries to Visit” list. (Especially after the art history class I took last semester…dear Lord, Italy is a goldmine of beauty you can’t find anywhere else). If I forward this post to my sister, believe me she’ll be wanting to hop on the next plane there more than anything. Gorgeous!!
It was an incredible experience. You’re right, Italy is a goldmine of beauty. I discovered that much of the gold that remains today came by way of California. Italy has everything we study in school, it’s all there, the history of the struggle for power, the freedom of creative spirit, pleasures beyond compare, the glory of life and the sacrifice of it. Your sister should go and soak up as much of it as she can.
Stayed here for our honeymoon in an agriturismo outside San gimignano. If you stay in Italy agriturismo’s are the way to go – they have a great network of them all throughout the country.
Beautiful photos. I wish I were back in Italy. I can almost taste the gelato!
Thank you. There are so many more I haven’t even added to my gallery yet. The Amalfi Coast was breathtaking, I need to get busy sorting through all of those pics.
Yeah, the gelato, oh, the gelato!
I cannot believe you didn’t wander the museum of torture! Loved the werewolf and the wall of skulls.
As a child we traveled all through Italy. My parents loved to drive!
It would have been interesting,but we didn’t discover it until it was time to meet the driver. Next time, for sure!
Do you have a favorite place in Italy?
Venice, by far Venice. I don’t know why except there is a romance about the island state that has always appealed to me. We spent an Easter there when I was a child and I have been back once for a weekend as an adult. I want desperately to return.
LOVE seeing shots of Italy – art, culture, and was that Bigfoot in the doorway? Looks squatchy.
I don’t know for sure what he was, but isn’t he photogenic? Those teeth!
Those teeth look like he used Crest.
No trouble flossing those things!
LOL – I love the distressed jeans too – and the manscaping, or is that beastscaping?
Great photos. They make me want to get on the next available flight.
Me too! I love looking at the photos and remembering what a great time we had. It really was as if we were the only two people in the world.
That sounds like a great holiday just as it should be.
Honie, we are GOING to do this and when we do, I’m calling you so you can let me know how to see every thing we need to see. I don’t know if it’s going to France or Italy (leaning toward Italy). These pics are beautiful. I romanticize it so much, as if I could really live there one day. How long did you stay??
Brigitte, I so hope you do. Romance and grand adventure await you. I can’t imagine a more dreamy vacay than Italy. We only had 10 nights, but oh what nights they were! The weather was perfect even when it rained. If I could live there tomorrow I would do it.
And now I’m jealous all over again! What an incredible opportunity. I’m dying to know the story behind the werewolf. A reject from the “Twilight” series, perhaps?
No need to be jealous Mr. Petruska; you will have your day in Italy. The werewolf, oh, it was the creepiest place, at the entrance to some sort of torture museum. We just peeked in to see what it was and I snapped a couple of shots. Check out this wall of skulls…
Wow! Creepy…yet intriguing. I’d definitely have taken THAT tour!
Ah! I love this! I’m kind of freaking out because I have a huge obsession with Italy. I even wrote a blog post about it, In Another Life I Was Italian. (It is a goal of mind to go to Portofino one day.) Your photos are breathtaking.
Grazie! I was completely blissed out for the entire trip.
Absolutely gorgeous. What time does my plane leave? 🙂
Oh, Carrie how I wish I had a plane to deliver all of us to that magical place of food and fun.
Me too. 🙂
Second honeymoon?
First actually. On our twentieth anniversary.
Oh, I was thinking of a reason for a repeat visit 🙂
Well, I don’t know if I can wait another twenty years for a second honiemoon. HA! I also don’t think I could handle being groped by TSA at age 90. Who knows maybe they will have come up with a better system by then.
At 90 it might be fun 🙂
You have a point there Fransi. Although, at that age I might be inclined to give ’em a little goose right back!
Well there ya go … :). Me, too, btw