Guess Where I’ve Been?
Here’s one quick clue:
Did ya get it? Espresso……the land of espresso….un caffe’ per favore….???
That’s right folks, I have been away for a bit in the Mother Country – Italia!
I had a wonderful opportunity to visit Tuscany to experience and write about Agro-turismo a thriving vacation business where Tuscan farms offer accommodations to tourists and visitors who want to experience a bit of the country instead of the more common hotels, or even bed and breakfasts. I will write more about our experiences there in a later post. But for now I will leave you with a quick overview of our trip – for when you are in Italy, being such a small country, it is recommended that you visit several regions. We flew into the beautiful and ancient city of Venezia, Venice, and spent one night there.
Venezia- gondolas-duomo-venetian masks
Highlights of course were Piazza di San Marco, the Gondoliers, and the amazing and thriving shops all over the city dedicated to the celebration of Carnivale – full of elaborate masks and costumes. We even had a drink at Harry’s Bar, for the fun of it!
Venice really is an enchanting and romantic city -made up of tiny canals where most people travel by foot or boat (no cars) full of tiny shops, cobblestone streets and the most amazing architecture.
The next day we headed to Tuscany and specifically to Torraccia di Chiusi right outside of the beautiful and medieval village of San Gimignano.
The Torraccia di Chiusi is an amazing place. The accommodations are exceptionally beautiful and the views from the villa are stunning. All you foodies out there should go, just to experience Chef Bruno’s cooking. He is an absolute genius in the kitchen and of course prepares traditional Tuscan cuisine using fresh and seasonal ingredients that they produce right there on their farms. He also enjoys preparing Etruscan and Medieval cuisines if you are so inclined. He was a joy to spend time with each evening at dinner, hearing his food stories and about life in the Tuscan countryside.
San Gimignano- entrance to san gimignano – us with chef bruno – tuscan hills – view from our room
There is an ancient pilgrimage trail, called the Via Francigena that you can walk from the Torraccia di Chiusi to San Gimignano in about an hour. I will talk more about our adventure on the Via Francigena in a later post, but let’s just say that it didn’t take us an hour. But San Gimignano was worth it – such a quaint and beautiful place.
From the Torraccia di Chiusi we made several day trips. Our first was to Firenze, or Florence.
Firenze – duomo – motorini – duomo
It was a pretty cold and gray day when we went, which didn’t make it so enjoyable. Although our good friends Erin and Chris from The Olive Notes spent a year living in Firenze and so they had given us an extensive itinerary of things to do while in Florence – mostly involving food of course, and seeing some of the major sites. We weren’t able to do it all, but I will discuss the highlights in an upcoming post.
The next day we headed to the medieval city of Siena which is famous for the Pallio a horse race that is done on the campo, the center of town, that is a scene of not only sportsmanship, but also huge political rivalries. The Pallio really defines Sienese life in so many ways.
Siena – duomo – lions head detail – the campo
When we visited Siena it was a nice a quiet day. The city is very charming and was probably my favorite. It was easy to navigate and the architecture there was so unique. I really enjoyed traveling the ancient streets and stairs.
After five idyllic days in Tuscany we had to head south to Rome, for some family time. Roberto doesn’t make it home very often, and so we had to make sure to go to Rome where his family lives.
Roma – forum – colosseum – pantheon
What can you say about Bella Roma? It is an incredible place. Going from the more medieval towns of Tuscany to a truly ancient place, like Rome was an amazing chance. In Rome you have the ancient alongside the most modern. From the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Forum to Via del Corso where Prada and Dolce Gabbana live.
Roma – trevi- bronze angel- piazza di spagna
The enormity of the buildings were breathtaking, and photos will never do justice to these ancient and modern buildings, fountains, and structures – everywhere you turn is a work of art, or some kind of major human accomplishment…and the FOOD. The food throughout the areas of Italy we traveled were all amazing, but in Rome, it is just abundant – markets, green grocers, cheese and meat shops. It is unending. Oh and did I mention the gelato and coffee? Those are whole posts to themselves.
Our final four days were spent in Ostia, Rome’s seaport.
Ostia – ostia antiqua – port of rome – il mare
Ostia Antica is nearby and again, everywhere you look are ruins. Ostia is reminiscent of Saint Augustine, on a much smaller scale. But it was nice to end our visit with a place that reminded us of home, and where we were surrounded by family.
I will be working on some follow posts to feature all the places we went. So stay tuned! This small tour of Italy is not yet over. I am still getting settled back into real life, and I am starting to make my way around the blogosphere!
NOTE: Thank you for all your concern about Roberto’s family, the earthquake was in the Abruzzo region of Italy, so all of the family is OK. I have a friend in that area, and she is alright too. Thanks again for all your concern. You guys are all so sweet. If you are looking for ways to help, please check out Michelle’s post at Bleeding Espresso and Sara’s post at Ms. Adventures in Italy . Thanks you ladies for getting that info out. Our prayers go out to the people of Abruzzo and their families.
erin :: the olive notes - April 6, 2009 at 12:10 pm
YAY! I’m SO excited to hear about it all…and see more photos. This post made me sigh ๐ I miss it.
Jeremy - April 6, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Whew! I just saw the report on the quake north of Rome, and was worried you might still be there…
Glad you had a wonderful time… we’ll be praying for everyone still there digging out.
– Jeremy & Lyra
Sue - April 6, 2009 at 12:32 pm
You LUCKY, LUCKY blogger!!! What wonderful places you went to and you did so much! I LOVE Siena. I can’t wait to read about it all. Thank goodness you missed the earthquake. I hope Roberto’s family is all okay. Great pictures too!
Peter - April 6, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Welcome back Jenn..the pics just underline what a wonderful time you must have had. Want some more pasta? lol
Looking forward to more travelogues.
Bob - April 6, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Welcome back, lucky! You must have had a blast, can’t wait to hear more about it. ๐
Jen - April 6, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Welcome home! Thanks for sharing these wondrous pictures. I look forward to reading more about your travels as I’ve never been there…
dawn - April 6, 2009 at 12:57 pm
just the coffee and gelato alone would make me very happy. yes, the buildings are just breathtaking and monumental.
you were lucky to have missed that earthquake.
don’t you love how the pasta there is fresh–nothing is is ever dried? wasn’t that texture sooo much better? Oh I could go on and on. glad you had fun.
Superchef - April 6, 2009 at 1:51 pm
welcome back, Jenn!! soo excited to read this post..looking forward to seeing more pics! ๐
Nรบria - April 6, 2009 at 2:05 pm
What a wonderful time you had!!!! Welcome back guys! Oh, I bet you came back with a third suitcase full of land Italian products :D. Italia is soooooo beautiful! I would love to travel to Toscana one of these days.
Can’t wait to see more pictures and stories ;D
Ivy - April 6, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Mamma mia che belezza. However, it’s a pity that the earthquake struck Italy today and so many casualties. I had a lovely time in Venice many years ago and wish to visit Rome this time. My niece is studying in Firenze and might visit there as well.
kat - April 6, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Wow, it looks like a fabulous trip!
RecipeGirl - April 6, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Wow, looks like you had a wonderful time. I’m extremely jealous ๐ I’ll bet you have a boatload of stories to share!
Jenni - April 6, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Sounds like you guys had a fantastic trip! Looking forward to reading all about it in your upcoming posts. I’m very glad to hear that the earthquake disaster, although a tragedy, did not touch your family.
courtney - April 6, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Oh how lucky you were. I was wondering where you have went off to. Cant wait to see the food posts.
Sara - April 6, 2009 at 3:08 pm
This looks like an amazing trip! I am jealous, I never get to go anywhere exotic ๐
Anne - April 6, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Oh, how wonderful! I will never be across the sea – so I’m very happy to have friends to live through vicariously! What beautiful photos. I’m so glad you were there to experience it!
The Duo Dishes - April 6, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Amazing! Lucky you to take such a beautiful trip. Can’t wait to see what you ate.
Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy - April 6, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Looks like you had a GREAT trip! And it looks like the weather cooperated ๐
joan nova - April 6, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Glad all is well…and I loved seeing the photos of Italy (and living vicariously through your post). Look forward to more.
Arlene - April 6, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Lucky, lucky you! I can’t wait for my next trip to Italy. I have to say Venice is at the top of my list of favorite cities.
girlichef - April 6, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Amazing! I cannot even begin to tell you how jealous I am. Absolutely cannot wait to read & see more ๐
kat - April 6, 2009 at 8:19 pm
what an amazing adventure! I am also relieved to hear that your family and friends are safe!
toontz - April 6, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Thank goodness all are safe. Beautiful photos, Jen.
Aggie - April 6, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Welcome back Jenn! What a trip! I absolutely LOVE all the photo collages..gorgeous!!
bee - April 6, 2009 at 10:28 pm
thanks for the wonderful virtual your, dear jen.
Maggie - April 6, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Gorgeous photos! I’m looking forward to hearing about the trip.
Esi - April 6, 2009 at 11:06 pm
I’m dying to go to Italy. These pics are fantastic! I really should have hopped on the plane to come meet you ๐
Heather - April 6, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Great pictures and pretty trip and all that, but I really just can’t stop staring at your adorable dimples.
Johanna - April 7, 2009 at 2:03 am
I would love to go to Italy again – only had a brief holiday there years ago but it is such an amazing place – your pictures are lovely and it is amazing how much you can fit in – must be great (and intense) to see roberto’s family
nina - April 7, 2009 at 2:44 am
How blessed can you be???? Wow, I am so happy for you, can’t wait to read more!!!
Ps…I received the daylilies that you sent me, thx! I have also found a delicious recipe to use them with, but I miss one more ingredient on the recipe and am still hunting for that one!! Will post soon, I hope!!!
Natashya - April 7, 2009 at 6:13 am
So glad that you posted that all was well, I was worried.
Your pictures are stunning! I want to go to Italy now. Such a beautiful country, just gorgeous.
Jan - April 7, 2009 at 7:02 am
So pleased to hear your family and friends are all okay.
GREAT pictures Jenn and welcome back!!
Peter G - April 7, 2009 at 7:58 am
Welcome back Jenn…what a wonderful trip! It all looks so perfect…I look forward to your future posts about this amazing time!
Dharm - April 7, 2009 at 9:18 am
Jenn! Welcome back. Looks like you and Roberto had a great time. I envy you coz Italy is on our list of places to visit… one day perhaps! I have missed you!!
maria - April 7, 2009 at 10:53 am
How beautiful! I would love to visit Italy some day. Can’t wait to hear more about your trip …
Sylvia - April 7, 2009 at 11:59 am
What a wonderful travel, Jen.We are planning to travel to Italy for a long time , but for now, we are focused in remolding our home,maybe next year, who knows. Lucy girl !!!
Iยดm glad to heard that your friends and Robertoยดs relative are fine
janet ching - April 7, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Tuscany is high on my list. Nice to hear you had a trip.
Toni - April 7, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Oh…….Take me back to Italy, please! Like, NOW!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos with us. I would definitely be interested in the idea of staying at a farm.
And it’s good to know that Roberto’s family is OK – Whew!
Bellini Valli - April 7, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I can’t wait to hear so much more about your trip Jenn. What am amazing experience:D
Kirby! - April 7, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Ohmagah, I am jealous times a thousand!!! But please keep the pics coming so that I can live vicariously through you…. SIGH….
Dragon - April 7, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Venice is my favourite city in the world. Sigh. I’m so jealous!
Scoop - April 8, 2009 at 1:03 am
I am so happy I stumbled across your blog. We’re thinking of returning to Italy for a vacation this year and was planning on staying at an agro-turismo. I’ll for sure return to check out your other vacation posts.
Do you write your travel articles anywhere else?
The Leftover Queen - April 8, 2009 at 9:46 am
Hi Scoop – thanks so much! Yes, please be sure to check out my upcoming post about Torraccia di Chiusi it is a wonderful place that I highly recommend. I do have other travel articles on http://www.travelcloseup.com too, but most of my Italy ones will be featured here.
Sam - April 8, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I went on a cycling trip around Tuscany a few years ago, it’s such a beautiful place. Siena was my favourite city too, I really loved the big square in the centre.
Agri turismo sounds like a great idea, I’d love to do that.
elly - April 8, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Lucky you! Looks like you had a fabulous time! I was fortunate enough to visit Rome in college on the way cheap. It was a great time and I hope to go back to other cities in Italy some time.
Astra Libris - April 9, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Your photos are SO incredibly beautiful!! Thank you for letting us come along on your tale of the journey!