Okay, so I am super excited to let you all in on a little secret. Doug and I will be going on a fantastic vacation in just 4 weeks! Wanna know where? Well... here are two little hints from around the house...
I am so excited I can hardly believe it... we're going to Italy for 11 days!
So, this is a big deal for two reasons-- first of all-- since having kids (that whole thing started 4.5 years ago) Doug and I have never taken a vacation without them. Babysitters are hard to come by-- and so was time off from work. A few months ago Doug's Mom and my Mom got together and offered their expert babysitting services. Of course-- we had to accept!
Secondly-- going to Italy is a big deal for me because I absolutely LOVED studying art history in university. I was a History major-- but managed to fit quite a few art history course into my schedule and they were hands down my favorite classes. After studying art history I knew I would have to go and see all that fantastic Italian architecture, those famous statues, and all the beautiful frescos one day. I took a third year Italian Renaissance course-- and kept the textbook-- just in case :) It's on the coffee table now so I can do a little reading before we go!
So does anyone have any tips? If you've been to Italy-- what was your favorite thing to do? What was your favorite thing to see? Did you find a restaurant that had the best pasta in town?
Oh wow-- pasta, pizza, bread-- here I come!
once again -- so envious, but also so excited for you guys!
ReplyDeleteMy tips are to have fun, eat carbs, and do a bike tour if you can find one!
So excited for you to be able to take this trip...imagining all the wondrous things you two will see and experience together! And thank You Jesus for wonderful moms/grandmas!
ReplyDeleteWow! Lucky Duck! So jealous! Is Doug good with museums, architecture, art history and naked statues? :) Even if he's not, I'm sure he's just excited to spend 11 days with you! I'm sure you guys will have a fantastic time, and I look forward to your blog post and photos when you get back!
ReplyDeleteYah, so excited for you! I would highly recommend a gelato shop right by the Pantheon called Della Palma. It has hundreds on flavours to choose from and was really quite tasty!
ReplyDeleteAng
Doug told Trev all about this yesterday! Yeah for you guys! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd Trev also told Doug about our favorite restaurant in Langley called Choo Choo's. We'd love to have your little family join us there some time in the next 4 months!
Also very excited for you and Doug, But excited that I get to spend time with 2 beautiful grandkids. Can hardly wait. Mom
ReplyDeleteSOOOOO excited for you - that is awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteno tips...just eat the great food :)
Exciting!
ReplyDeleteI loved the island of Burano just close to Venice... Didn't get to Murano, but I've heard it's beautiful too...
11 days of uninterrupted meals, uninterrupted sleep, and art sounds heavenly!
ReplyDeleteI've been to Rome, Florence, and Venice and loved Florence most of all. My favourite restaurant, Ristorante Paoli, is there. Also do a trip to Sienna if you can. Other tips: enjoy the olives, the espressos, and the gelato - every day! Its a must!
Wow!! That's so exciting!! We still haven't done a trip without kids...hope you guys enjoy 11 days of child-free fun!
ReplyDeleteWow, so great for you guys... very happy for you! The colleseum was great (kinda obvious), and so was a little town called Tivoli... a short train-ride from Rome.
ReplyDelete~Corinna
Wow - how exciting for you. I have never been to Italy, but my brother's favourite place is Siena.
ReplyDeleteHey Elissa! This is so exciting! I agree with Ang about the gelato shop in Rome. I just HAD to keep going back every day to try a different flavour! In Florence, we had to wait in line for the Uffizi gallery for hours, but it was well worth it, and it was a great city. Hope you have a great time!
ReplyDeleteJanaya
I agree with the comments about Siena.. we went there during our Tuscany tour. I was sick with the flu that day and I still enjoyed it if that helps sway your decision at all!
ReplyDeleteTrish
Here's my advice:
ReplyDeleteFirst, squeal with delight every time you think, hey I get to go to ITALY for ELEVEN DAYS....
And second, go get your hands on Frances Mayes book called A Year in the World. I like her travel writing, AND she visited various places in Italy - and talks about food, culture, literature, art, etcetera. Loved the book.
And third, see if you can take any cooking lessons! That's advice from a friend who has actually gone there - I have not!
take care
Lisa
LOVE this! After 4.5 years some time away has to be pure magic!
ReplyDeleteYou're going to LOVE it! We absolutely loved everything about Italy. I can't even begin to narrow down my favourites. Touring Vatican city and the Sistine Chapel was definitely one of them. As well as the Coliseum, obviously. But, honestly, every part was amazing. Venice, Bari, Rome, Tuscany... all incredible.
ReplyDeleteSO excited for you guys!!!!
Wish I could remember the restaurant we loved int he Cinque Terre - but I'm sure there are many! If you need tips on places to stay, I kept all my info. So excited for you guys!
ReplyDeleteahhhh! this post makes me giddy too!
ReplyDeletewe're going away, FINALLY... after 12+ years of marriage...
and three kids later.
and guess what?
we're headed to italy too!
we'll be flying into florence, spending 4-5 days there (and in tuscany)
then going to cinque terre for 3-4 days...
then going up into switzerland for another 5 days.
we're SO thrilled and excited too!
we'll be going end of april beginning of may.
so, i can't wait to hear the lowdown of your trip to get ideas for our own.
yay!
the thing i'm most excited for (besides a break fro kidlets) is the FOOD!!!!!
ahhhhh!!!! the food, the wine, the cheese, everything!