Tuscany & Cinque Terre

Hi blog friends!!!

I am finally home from our week long AMAZING adventure!! It was literally one of the greatest weeks of my life but I am very glad to be back in my nook :) You know a place has become like home when you get back and can't help but smile... I got the same feeling I used to get pulling up to my house after a vacation! Didn't see that coming.

As you might know... we spent the week/weekend traveling within Italy to Tuscany [Siena and Florence], the breath taking, Cinque Terre, and a quick stop in Pisa on the way home!

Unfortunately, I am exhausted and feel like I have so much to catch up on [before Spring Break NEXT week!] So this isn't really going to be a 'wordy' blog... instead I am just gonna add lots of pictures below with some comments... hope this doesn't make anyone sad :)

...but you all will happy to know I have added a few more Honeymoon destinations to my list!! :) [I know you are surprised, mom! haha] I can't even begin to describe how beautiful Tuscany and especially, Cinque Terre are!! Everyone should go on a vacation to at least one of them. Actually, both. So... start saving!!! :)

Siena [2/28-3/1]

Our first stop was at Castiglion del Bosco in Montalcino, Tuscany. It was a beautiful 4,000 acre resort/winery. We toured some of the rooms and amenities and all wanted to stay! There were only 2 couples there at the time, due to the season, it felt abandoned.. but very peaceful!

Guests can take cooking classes in this beautiful kitchen!

The view over the vineyard. 

One of the many spa rooms... which looked incredible!

The view of the pool and guest rooms... from the trail to the workout area...

...The workout room was also amazing... it was on the side of the hill overlooking mountains and vineyards. All of the windows can be lifted so you actually feel like you are outside. I think I would be able to work out here!!

I ate the BEST pizza I have had since I have been here in Montalcino for lunch!
[and a salad for you Dad!] :)

After Montalcino, we headed into Siena, checked into our hotel, and went straight to wine tasting!

There were 1,000s of different bottles of wine!

We tried 3 wines: 1 white and 2 red... and I did not care for any of them! haha

My "tasting" table!

Eating dinner for Mary Cate's birthday in the Piazza del Campo in Siena!

Florence [3/1-3/3]

Florence has amazingggg waffles and gelato everywhere!! These were 10 euro and worth every bite! haha! and I even ended up getting another before I left :/

Florence also has my favorite soup of all time. It is called La Ribollita Soup aka Tuscany Soup. It was one of the coldest weeks we have had and I ate this for 3 meals in a row! haha. It tastes like collard greens with beans and bread. So de-li-ciouss!

Duomo dei Firenze... has the largest dome in Europe!

The "library" inside was awesome. So many bright colors and details.

David! (or the replica of)
...because you can't take picture of the real thing... which happens to be incredible! Did you know David's hands, feet, and head are not sized proportionally? They are larger because he was originally supposed to be on top of the Duomo... so it would look proportional from street view.

The "lovers locks" on the Florence bridge. Couples used to come from all over to put there lock on and throw the key into the bridge. It became so touristy that now it is illegal [because it tastes away from the original beauty] and is a 75 euro fine if caught!

Florence's bridge! Many jewelry, leather, etc vendors along it.

Next, we got a tour of Roberto Capucci's Foundation. He is a famous designer in Italy and the US who used to make dresses, and now most of the collection is on display.

Sketch of a red bridal gown.

The back of the gown and veil.

Very interesting designs and ideas!

Reminds me of my bedroom in Auburn!

On the terrace! Super windy!

We also got a tour of the Leather School of Santa Croce. Which was also my Expert of the Day. It was started after WW2 and is still thriving and owned by the same family today. 

One of the founders daughters, showing that each handbag made by her sister is original and cannot be duplicated. They keep pictures and info on file to be sure it is one of a kind.
 This purse was 850,00 euro or $1,200.00!

We got to watch a 7th year student add 22 carat gold designs to a desk piece.

So cool!

In the classroom... these students were practicing making small handbags.

Learning about the different leathers.

Snake skin. Very rare and expensive to use.

I bought a leather journal at the end and they engraved my initials in the 22 carat gold! 

I love my journal! I am nervous to start writing in it! haha 

We went to Ricardo Barthel next... which is an interior design company that hand makes and/or restores everything for houses but mainly, yatchs! I loved this place. Everything is very antiquey.

Refinishing a table and chairs.

They had SO many pieces that they had made into sinks. This has always been something I said I would do in my house one day!

So many pretty pieces and ideas.

Love all of the spoons hanging above the table!

Photo shoot on the bridge thanks to the nice lady from Boston :) 

So happy to be sharing this experience with Rae!

Cinque Terre (Optional Field Trip) [3/3-3/6]

Preparing for our 2 full days of hiking through Cinque Terre, Italy.... by bringing it in, and breaking on "War Eagle!" It never gets old :)

The very first view we saw! ...little did we know this would be nothing compared...

We loved our tour guide, Marco, who secretly loves Cinzia!! 

Such an intense hike, but so worth it, I would do it every day [or maybe week] if I could.

Mary Cate!

Almost to the top of the mountain!

So breath taking! 

We ate lunch on top and enjoyed the view... constantly questioning if this was real life! haha

So so blessed to be surrounded by God's beauty!

4 of my 5 roomies

I will probably never go anywhere more perfect than this! 

Me and Rae

After lunch, we hiked back down [much easier] to the other side and got to put our feet in the Mediterranean Sea!

See the man?

The water was freezing but the view was amazingggg.

Sandy feet :)

All of us!

Love these girls!

Perfect day ending with the beach!

The 2nd day was a bit easier... we hiked to all 5 towns.
Cinque Terre means "5 towns"! 

The first town is home to "Via del Amor" or "Lover's Lane". Even more people come from all over to also put a lock and sign their names. It is a very romantic spot.

Katie and I signed the bench on "Lover's Lane"! haha

All of the locks at the end! Over looking the ocean!

Matty's name was signed atleast 5 times [that I saw] with Pam.
Is there something you need to tell me Matt? haha

One of the other towns. They are all so colorful!

My favorite picture of the week!!! Looks like a post card!!

[The last picture zoomed in]... where we ate lunch! Hamburgers and fries!

The last town we visited. It had many boats!

We take lots of pics together :)

 Pisa [3/6]

On our 7 hour drive home from Cinque Terre we stopped at Leaning Tower of Pisa to get a few pictures and grab lunch! 

Classic Pisa Pic :)

Can you see why I loved this week?? Gosh, I wish I could just relive it over and over again. Good thing Spring Break is just 5 days away... and has the potential to be just as great!!! In the words of my boyfriend [Cameron Newton, duh]... "I am a blessed individual!" Seriously, God is so good!

Hope everyone is doing great!! Please email me, message me, chat me, skype me, leave a comment, etc if you want!! I feel like I am an awful friend/family member at the moment. So please... let's catch up!! I want to hear about your weeks too ya know!!!

Love, love, love you all.

xoxo
Britt

P.s. Don't forget a new recipe will be posted tomorrow after cooking class! and the rumor is we will also be making a cake! Yummm :)

:)