Italy has become a family favourite, our summer happy place where carb-loading dreams spill out over sun-kissed vineyards. It's the perfect combination of food, scenery, culture, sunshine and a bit of the dolce vita. We just can't get enough. We sometimes go back to the same places, and other times we explore some place new. This trip we did a bit of both, spending two and half weeks in Bologna, checking the tiny principality of San Marino off our list, including a week in dreamy Chianti and a further week in the deep south, the heel of Italy, in Puglia.
Bologna, where the warmth of the orange and yellow coloured buildings is only outdone by the hot culinary scene. Bologna is the stomach of Italy!
Tagliatele al ragu, aka pasta Bolognese
Trevon putting on his best Young Sheldon face
A visit to the oldest university in Europe in Bologna.
Dallin indulging in a half kilo of gelato, oh to be young and fit!
Our second stop on this Italian itinerary was actually not in Italy at all, but to the tiny country of San Marino. It's the fifth smallest country in the world and at only 62 sq kms it's entirely enclosed within the borders of Italy. We spent a wonderful day and night enjoying this little jewel.
On our way to our villa in Chianti we stopped in beautiful Arezzo, much like a small Siena, for an amazing lunch on the central piazza. I'm amazed at just how many gorgeous towns and cities there are in Italy.
In Chianti, our poolside view for the week over the gorgeous Tuscan hillsides. This view was simply to die for and made the week just so very special. We spent our time lounging poolside, reading, playing games, exploring new villages, pasta pasta and more pasta, and generally soaking up the Tuscan sun. Experiencing the sweet nectar of nature's beauty in Tuscany alone with my family is such a joy.
Greve in Chianti
Montefioralle
View over Greve
Radda in Chianti
Castellina
Last night in Tuscany
Making pasta at our villa many nights with the best tomatoes!
On the road from Tucany to Puglia!
Way down in the heel of Italy is the region of Puglia. Here are curious cone-shaped houses called trulli. They are unlike anything I've seen before, and very unique to the region. We enjoyed getting up close with this part of Italy, and staying in our very own trullo. Here the town of Alberobello shows off the very best of tulli architecture.
Alberobello is rather touristy, but getting off the beaten path even just slightly rewards you with wonderful, empty corners of white-washed, cone beauty!
Charming Locorotondo
I loved all the Puglia ceramic!
Enjoying a sunny lunch before the rain . . .
. . . and then it rained rivers of rain. This kid lady came out of her house onto the streets to rescue us and bring us under cover to dry off. Much lost in translation, but neat to experience a taste of real life here and lovely to be treated to such human kindness.
Martina Franca
Ostuni
Our lovely villa in Puglia . . .
Lots of this trip was also about making plans. Change of course for Dallin meant we spent many nights coordinating plans for our new college student. Off to Snow College!
And later to insert photos of our last day, in Matera, here.
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