Rome, Italy | 2009
To see photographs from our trip, read the An Italian Honeymoon series.
I feel like I’ve finally settled in to being back home. Seattle has been quite welcoming, giving us sunshine, blue skies, and lovely mountain views for the past 2 weekends. I’m getting caught up at work, the bills have been paid, and the monstrous pile of smelly laundry has disappeared.
Italy was amazing. The chance to immerse myself in a different culture and experience brand new things every day for 2 weeks was a great gift. I feel really fortunate to have had this experience and to have been able to share it with my wonderful husband. I’m gushing, I know, but it’s all pretty awesome.
As promised, here are some of my favorite vacation moments (besides having a cappuccino with whole milk and a chocolate croissant for breakfast almost every day).
The first night in Sorrento, even though we’d been traveling for nearly (or over) 24 hours. We were hungry and exhausted, but so happy to be married and finally officially on our honeymoon.
The first time I saw the Amalfi Coast (on the bus ride from Sorrento to Amalfi), a place that I’d been drooling over photos of for years.
Drinking the best cappuccino and eating a yummy chocolate croissant at Monnalisa in Sorrento.
Eating Caprese pizza and drinking wine in a cozy pizzeria in Capri while the rain drenched the handful of shoppers outside.
Walking through the narrow “stair streets” of Positano, stopping to take photos of the beautiful hillsides and stunning blue sea, and making our way down to the rocky beach.
Getting our first glimpse of rolling green Tuscan hillside towns from the train window on our way to Florence from Naples.
Watching and interacting with the loveable mime in the Piazza di Repubblica in Florence.
Watching the sun set over the Ponte Vecchio and other bridges in Florence.
Enjoying a delicious dinner at Ristorante la Posta our first night in Florence.
Walking out of the city center up through the residential hills of Florence, walking through a lovely tree lined street at the top of a hill, soaking up the Tuscan sun and beautiful views of the city.
Arriving in Siena and starting off with a wonderful lunch of pesto gnocchi, pizza, and delicious red Tuscan wine from the Maremma region at Il Masgalano.
Exploring Siena in the rain and seeing Il Campo (Piazza del Campo) for the first time.
Learning about Il Palio, the 90 second horse race that takes place twice a year in Piazza del Campo.
Stumbling upon a wedding at a church in Piazza del Campo.
Enjoying a glass of wine at the Enoteca ai Banchi-Wine Shop at the Grand Hotel Continental in Siena. Drew learned more about the Maremma wine region from the knowledgable bartender.
Sleeping during a thunderstorm in our old, cool, creepy, B&B in Siena.
Starting Sunday off in Siena by watching a cool parade where all of the Contrade were represented, then walking over to Piazza del Campo to sit in the sun and watch kids play.
Watching the sun set over Siena from a beautiful park that was built on top of an old fort.
Eating gelato in the Piazza Navona our first night in Rome.
Visiting the market at Campo di Fiore in Rome.
An unplanned attendance to the Pope’s mass outside St. Peter’s in Vatican City.
Discovering delicious Sicilian arancini at Mondo Arancina in Rome.
Making new friends at the Villa Borghese Park in Rome.
Italy…sigh. We will go back someday.
Ciao!