Friday, March 18, 2011

Amo l'Italia!!

With Spring approaching, I've begun to think about vacation! I believe the anticipation of a vacation is almost as fun as the actual journey. It certainly plays an important part in it!

 I LOVE ITALY!
The food, the people, the art, the history, the water, the gelato, the architecture, the stone streets, the wine, the language, oh...and did I mention the food and wine?! There isn't anything I don't love about Italy! (Except that it's so far away and I don't live there.) I have been blessed to have been able to go there on vacation for the last three years and will be going again in June!

I thought I'd share a few photos from past visits and you'll see why Italy is fuori casa domestico (my home away from home)!


ROME


Trevi Fountain
Legend has it that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi fountain, it guarantees your return to Italy. So far, it's worked every year. :)



Vatican City. That's St. Peter's Bascillica rising above the other buildings with it's majestic dome.

The road leading to St. Peter's Basillica...that's it in the background.

This is Castle St. Angelo made famous in the movie Demons & Angels with Tom Hanks. There are hidden tunnels all through it. It's right up the street from St. Peter's Square.

This is the Pantheon



Street musicians in front of the Pantheon

A giant flag of Italy flying over Rome. This view is from the top of Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) 

The Colosseum as seen from the top of Campidoglio

Inside the Colosseum. Looking down into the arena you can just imagine the gladiators fighting lions, tigers and bears! And sometimes each other! Hmm...I wonder if they all looked like Russell Crowe :)

Outside the Colosseum



Wonderful Milan!


This is the front of the absolutely amazing Duomo in Milan. It is by far one of the most spectacular cathedrals we've seen in our visits to Italy! 

You can take an elevator or climb stairs (we chose the elevator) to the top of the duomo and see the spectacular views and all the amazing gothic architecture! The spheres and carvings are indescribable!


FLORENCE


This is the front of the amazing cathedral and bell tower in Florence. We climbed 414 steps in very tiny narrow hallways straight to the top of the bell tower! 

The Arno River


The famous Ponte Vecchio.
There are rows and rows of jewelry stores on this bridge.

Inside the cathedral

Beautiful! We actually attended a mass here.


PISA

You feel like your mind is playing tricks on you when you come through the gates and see the leaning tower! It's awesome!



VENICE

Beautiful, romantic Venizia! It's like living in a storybook! 

Anyone for a gondola ride?


This is on the gondola deck of the Grand Canal

Breakfast on the Grand Canal with St Mark's cathedral in the background.





There's so much more I want to share with you. But for now...

Arrivederci il mio amico!


I'll be joining the wonderful blogs! Please take a look and ENJOY!

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays @ Coastal Charm
Whassup Wednesday @ Elements Interiors
(Semi) Wordless Wednesday @ Flip Flops and Pearls
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Transformation Thursday @ 
The Shabby Chic Cottage
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Newbie Party @ Debbie Doos Blooging and Blabbing

12 comments:

  1. "BREATHTAKING"!!! WOW!!! My very favorite is the one where you said you took the elevator instead of the stairs(the cathedral?)...It does not look real. It looks like a gorgeous painting behind you. You "MUST,MUST,MUST" have these framed??? Thank you so much for sharing... I am your newest FOLLOWER!
    Hugs to you,
    Donna

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  2. Love looking at your pics! I have so many in of me and my hubby in the same spots! I like to write about my travels on my blog too! I'm a new follower! :)

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  3. That is a trip of a lifetime. Looked wonderful Thanks for sharing your spectacular photos with us. Thank you for joining my newbie party. I look forward to seeing you again.

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  4. hiya visiting from debbies newbie party x great pics btw x tfs hope to see you over at mine soon
    xmaggiex

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  5. Italy is amazing. I've been lucky enough to have travelled there twice. Both times were fantastic! Beautiful pictures!

    I hopped here via the newbie party!

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  6. Wow! Looks like you had an amazing vacation!!!Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a sweet comment.
    -emily
    nestnestingnested.blogspot

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  7. Wow, that is a dream come true for me to go to Italy...someday I hope in the mean time I am going to live vicariously through your pictures

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  8. nice to meet you, linking from Debbies newbie party. I love Italy also. We have been several times. The last was to enchanting Lake Como. I hope to go back again. There is so much to see and do. I'm a new follower. Come by and visit me. Hugs, Janet

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  9. My daughter and I spent 3 weeks in Italy in July last year and we can't wait to go back! We also have photos of ourselves in some of the same spots you were in!

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  10. Nice to meet you today at Debbiedoos and thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures of Italy. Sure brought back great memories for me of my visits there. It's just an amazing place with so many things to do and see that are so beautiful and historic. Peggy

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  11. Amo anche l'Italia! E'bello!
    I haven't made it up to Milan or to Venice yet though. Gorgeous! I did through my coin into Trevi fountain, but I'm still waiting...
    :)

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  12. AMAZING PICS!!! How AWESOME!
    Thank you SO MUCH for linking up to WHASSUP WEDNESDAY!!! Great entry:)

    Hope to see you next Wednesday!

    xoxokara

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