OK, so it's a bit overwhelming trying to figure out where to start and how to catch up on everything and all that. Let me just say it was a wonderful trip, it was A LOT of work with three youngsters, still totally worth it, and we are already planning our trip back next summer. (Who else is in??)
When I told B I didn't know what I should blog about, he (in total B fashion) made an outline of topics and stories. With references to photos. Uh, yeah, I don't work like that when it comes to this blog. Sorry.
Maybe I will just start with a spontaneous list of highlights from the trip.
sitting quietly in the Piazza San Franceso with the family on a warm afternoon early in the trip devouring what would be the first of many, many watermelons
stumbling upon (OK, crashing) a party at a sweet little wine bar one evening...beautiful guitar music as well
sharing a four hour lunch prepared by our new friend Aurora at her parents' home in the hills of Northern Tuscany
eating risotto ai gamberi and drinking crisp local white wine with B in the Cinque Terre
showing up in Siena on the eve of Il Palio....everyone was out for the festivities
looking for, almost giving up, and then finding the home of a friend in Florence
watching the baby take her first licks of gelato
taking the kids to old, favorite places in Florence
due cappucini, every. single. morning.
starting to feel, just little, like a local in Lucca
cocktails at Pult with the husband
sitting on our terrace listening to a concert of Ennio Morricone's music (conducted by him!)
sharing bisteca fiorentina with B for dinner
meandering through the wine shop in Lucca
picking C-Man and JuJu up from their Italian lessons (and eavesdropping just a little)
watching C-Man get a haircut at a real Italian barber shop
being treated like regulars at a new favorite restaurant
waking up the first morning to an old man playing the accordion on the street below (and hearing C-Man in the next room say "huh??")
fragolini di bosco gelato (made from the tiny, wild strawberries)
watching all three babes swim in the Mediterranean
little e reaching out for the barrista at "our bar" to hold her each morning
There is much, much more, but this will have to do for now. :-) It is so good to be back.
Sounds AMAZING Jora. Can't wait to hear more details! BTW - your C man is getting so big! He's totally lost all his baby looks and looks like such a handsome big boy now!
ReplyDeleteah... sigh. that's all I can say!
ReplyDeleteSounds so incredibly lovely.
ReplyDeleteTo think I was fluent in Italian when I graduated college...amazing how 15 years of life completely erased that knowledge from my memory. Wito asked me how to count to 10 in Italian last week and I could barely remember! I think we need to come with you all next year!
Sounds fabulous! Can't wait to see more photos.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so lovely Jora. I can't wait for more posts about it!
ReplyDeleteYou paint such a lovely picture. What an amazing family memory for your kids.
ReplyDeletesounds like ABSOLUTE perfection lady...can't wait for more peeks. welcome back!
ReplyDeletesounds amazing.
ReplyDeletec-man looks PRACTICALLY ITALIAN in his little tank top. adorable! he's going to break many a cuore, that little guy.
I can't believe that's C-man in the picture. It can't be. So tall and slim and grown up. But if that really IS him, he looks great. Love the Italian job haircut. And JuJu is adorable as always.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely memories this trip brought you. Welcome home!
jbhat
Would LOVE to know where you stayed in Lucca? It's my parents absolute favorite place (they happened upon it once, years ago). I've never been, and we're (my husband and three daughters- ages 6, 4 and 1) planning a trip to italy next summer. Lucca is on our list of stops - maybe we'll plan to do a few weeks there???
ReplyDeletemy heart leapt a little when i saw you ate and drank wine in cinque terre-- which town?! do tell.
ReplyDeleteand a concert BY ennio morricone?!?! stop. stop it right now. i listened to the mission soundtrack a ton while in italy- that man is a musical GENIUS.
Yay! Jora's back! Can't wait to see more post of you. Seems like you've had a great time there. Can't wait for more picks of you lovely family.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear more! Sounds idyllic.
ReplyDeletewow, it sounds like you made memories to last a lifetime. what a beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was a time to enjoy life, each other, and a beautiful culture. ...a perfect vacation in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you're back! Can't wait to see pics and hear more about it, sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing. I would love to know where you stayed too as we are planning a trip with our two young boys next year to either Italy or France.
ReplyDeletewelcome back. we missed you. can't wait for the photos and stories.
ReplyDeleteDitto what anom said. C-man is a future heartbreaker. So handsome! Jora, I'd love to know how you balanced the trip with your kids. How did you and B get time alone, besides having them in Italian classes? We're thinking of Spain next summer with our (one!) boy. Really curious to hear about making the trip work while traveling with children.
ReplyDeleteJora
ReplyDeleteYour holiday sounds wonderful and inspiring. May I ask for some more details though?? Did you rent a home for the entire time? In one location? How long did your children do Italian classes for? Thanks again.
Tamara
This trip sounds like heaven!! Love the picture - too cute!
ReplyDelete