Our holiday is coming to a close and what an amazing 3 weeks its been! Our bellies and hearts filled with wonderful food and memories – Italy really is a place that fills you up. Not only with the amazing food, but the culture, the history, the beauty…throw in some wonderful family time and our souls are feeling very content indeed.
There is so much to love about this country but here are some of my favourites.
The colours of buildings
The yellows, reds, oranges of houses and the greens of the shutters…all of them so beautiful against a busy city scape or the greens of the countryside.
The windows
From the superior drapery and shutters and of course the vistas!
The Stone
Whether its the cobblestones of Rome, the larger stone roads in Florence or at the Roman Forum, the tiles in a villa, or the stone stairways worn down over time, this place does stone well. You can feel, smell, touch the ancient history in every brick.
The towers
Dotted throughout the countryside and in every main piazza, these towers are a thing of beauty.
The fancy pants Police
Whether its the Carabineri or Polizia or someone from the Army, they do uniform very well here. Show pony stuff.
The tomatoes
They really do taste better here. Whether its the late summer season that we’ve travelled here to, they really are so good. They taste like tomatoes. Huh.
The beautiful packaging
Is its some delicious butter (I have been adding salt flakes on top but it’s still very good) or a Paneforte, the packaging on some of the stuff here really is gorgeous. Especially the bags from bakeries and sweet little shops.
Baked Goods
A no brainer. Standing at a bar in the morning with an espresso and pastry in a napkin and I am a happy woman. Baked goods for breakfast? Australia, we’re doing it wrong.
The statues
Everywhere someone (holy or otherwise) looking down on you.
The prosecco
Different to what we get in Australia: less bubbly and a little sweeter, it’s delicious.
The Gardens
The rambling, crumbling walls, the pots filled with lemons, the formal gardens, the cyprus pines, the olive trees all so gorgeous.
The Spritz
A new taste discovery for me, some Aperol, Prosecco and soda with a decent slice of orange and plenty of ice it’s the most refreshing drink ever – will be embracing this summer.
The food
So much food. Pizza, cheese, meats, gelato, pasta. ALL OF THE FOOD.
And a million more.
Have you been to Italy?
What did you love most about it?
Yes adore it. Pics 2 and 4 could be my son-in-laws family home in Froselone….such gorgeous colours and yes pastries (for me) and potato pizza (others) for Breakfast the Best!!
Gorgeous photos! I can’t believe 3 weeks have passed already!! When I was a bebe we lived in Torino as my dad was working at the uni. I’ve been back twice since then. My favourite things are easily the food and the light. Can be so crazy and chaotic though. Cross the border into Switzerland and you get order straight away!! Bizarre!
I went to Italy five years ago and it was my favourite country on my trip. I loved the colourful buildings and ancient architecture. The food and wine and just everything really. Just amazing!
bellisimo! grazie mille beth!
I have so enjoyed following your trip! … arm chair travel is ok too!
Italy is amazing! it gets into the psyche and that is a good thing!
keep on enjoying! … love m:)X
I’m feeling all the feels for you! Italy stole a piece of our heart too. We have been Spritzing it up at home ever since! Safe travels back x
Loved the coffee culture. Stand at the bar and have a great cappucino for 1 Euro… why do we have to pay $4.50 here?
Beautiful photos Beth I can see why Italy has captured your heart xx
I have loved salivating over your images these past few weeks. I’ve been to Italy quite a few times and each time I fall in love with it a bit more. What’s not to love? I would love to take my kids there one day, and your travels have inspired me to do so. My sister is married to an Italian who has a villa in L’Aquila, where the terrible earthquake destroyed much of the city. Fortunately is villa was unharmed. It’s a stunning part of the world and I long for my next trip. Gorgeous pics, as always 🙂
I absolutely love Italy! I have a lot of Italian friends and I visit every chance I get, such a beautiful country! Your photos are really great. Also I saw someone above commented on the great €1 coffee… head down south and it’s only 60c 😉
Brava! I’ll do the south next trip I think…so much to see! So much beauty all in one country!
We were suppose to go to Italy last month but it fell through 🙁 thank you for taking me through your blog posts. You have shown me such wonders. I am more determined than ever to get there one day. Safe travels home lovely xx
Oh thanks Beck – hope you get back one day too!
There is so much to love about Italy. I had to laugh about the ‘fancy pants police’, that’s just what they are…to funny! Lake Gada and Capri are by far my standouts, for different reasons but both equally amazing. I have been fortunate to have traveled to there a few times and have fallen in love with it each time a little bit more. Safe travels home xx
Cannot wait to get back to Amalfi/Capri/Cinque Terre and Como at another time x
Despite living most of my life a relative stone’s throw from Italy, I’ve only been once and that was when I was living in Australia. Go figure. It’s now right up there on my Places-to-Go list and when I do, I want to see, do and eat all the things! I’ve loved tagging along on your Italian adventure, and I’m so pleased the Aperol made the top 13. It’s all about the spritz! Here’s to bubbles not troubles!
Beth – please stop.
I cannot take any more of these sumptuous and beautiful and divine vistas and images.
It’s all too much!
<3
Pia