Italia

So, we have finished our vacation in Italy. Actually quite a while ago. But I'm just getting to the blog now. So, in one massive entry (though I promise not to put all of our 663 pictures, just a small sampling), here is our Italian Vacation!

Overall, just a great trip: I turned 30, we saw the rugged beauty of the Cinque Terre, absorbed the old, the new and the touristy culture of Rome, survived the fighting spirit of Naples, tasted the most simplistic and delicious pizza in the world, gaped at the splendor of the Amalfi coast and found my heritage and "spiciness" (as Nathan calls it) in Sicily. Whew!

At this point, I'd like to acknowledge my wonderful husband. After 8 years of marriage, (with a challenging year abroad, yet including a fabulous vacation in Italy, so this is duly noted), I am more in love with him than ever. The last time we were in Europe together for an extended vacation where it was just us 24/7, we had our gigantic fight somewhere in the middle. Yes, middle of the vacation and almost middle of the European continent. I think we were in Interlaken, Switzerland. This time, however, it was like we were more one than ever before. Entertaining and lively when needed, and solitary silence when needed. Yet we were never really outside of each other's presence. I am loving that marriage can get better with time and age.

If you're interested in some of the stuff we did, here's a bit of a list of the highlights and things we did and saw.

Cinque Terre

charming b&b place run by the nicest couple, spent many nights eating and chatting in their private garden. One night, our host brought us homemade Limoncello made by his octogenarian mother.

Hiked all of trail no. 1 throughout the 5 cities.

Celebrated my birthday with a romantic dinner overlooking the water.

The garden

Doesn't it remind you of Big Sur?


The classic and overdone shot of Vernazza.

The homemade Limoncello.

Rome

explored the Vatican

saw the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon and Roman baths

ate TONS of gelato daily, often twice daily. My favorite is a scoop of pistachio with a scoop of chocolate

hung out at the fountains and people, er, tourist watched

drank lots of espresso

A blurry picture of me quickly rubbing St. Peter's stub of a foot. It has basically rubbed off throughout the years.

Sistine Chapel

Nate at Trevi Fountain

Spa Day! The Roman baths. Good night it was hot that day! I longed for water in those ruins.

Naples

visited Pompeii which is just outside the city

visited the National Archeological Museum where most of the stuff from Pompeii ended up (including ancient porn. yes, porn. Don't worry, I didn't put up any pictures, those can be viewed upon request....I TOLD you we had a great time!)

ate THE BEST pizza in the world

An amazingly beautiful mosaic and it's detail (on right).

Positano, Amalfi and Ravello

went to the beach

shopped
explored

went to the beach again and again






Villa Cimbrone in Ravello

We had a thunderstorm one night.

Amalfi

Sicily

drove with the crazy Italians

explored the cities of Taormina and Enna
visited the best preserved ruins in the world in Agrigento

went to the beach again
ate deliciously rich cannoli and yummy arancini (it means little orange and is filled with rice, meat and cheese)

City on a Hill

And there was NO ONE there!

Mt. Enna in the background. One of the world's most active volcano. Can you see it smoking?

Ah. Viva Italia!