Plans Are Underway!

   It’s been way too long. A loss, a retirement, a cross country move, on and on. Life. It gets in the way, doesn’t it? My dear husband and I have made a commitment. We are heading back to one of my favorite places in the world. Italy. 

   We are studying our maps, practicing our Italian and making plans. This adventure will concentrate on Tuscany; specifically the Crete Senese. I can’t wait!

I Can't Go Home, I Need to Go to Italy.

  "I can't go home; I need to go to Italy." These are pretty impressive words... from a three year old. Words expressed because he loves to travel, even at his tender age. I have to say I fully understand. These simple words resonate in my very soul. I need; not I want, not I yearn, not I desire, I need. The dictionary defines "need" as to require something because it is essential. I ask myself, do I require this trip, is it essential? The answer is quite simply, yes. I require this visit to a country which inspires me. One where the people are warm and inclusive. A trip which will reunite me with family and nurture my weary soul.

  So, who was this sage three year old? A very special, John Henry. A boy that stole my heart the day he was born. My husband and I have been blest with three wonderful children. They each brought to our family three amazing spouses and together they have in turn brought us three beautiful grandchildren; wise John Henry, adorable Sadie, and our newest addition, impish Grayson. I now am beginning to understand what a "family tree" means. Our family is branching out and growing, as it should.

Yes, John, I know how you feel. I can't go home; I need to go to Italy. You, my dear will have to wait a few years but I will enjoy it for the both of us.

Our Grand Tour

  The “Grand Tour”.  What a wonderful concept for our 17th and 18th century ancestors fortunate enough to have the resources to travel Europe for one to two years. Get in a little culture, some great food, do some networking, have a little anonymity. This was known as the period of Enlightenment. How apropos. Something we could all use these days, don’t you think?

The last two weeks before our “Grand Tour” are the longest. Can the bags be packed and repacked at least one more time? Can I fit in more than two Italian lessons a day without experiencing total brain shutdown? Have I downloaded enough books?  Believe it or not this is one of my favorite things; getting ready for a trip to Italy.

This voyage to my adopted “mother country” promises to be fabulous. I will be celebrating my 40th wedding anniversary with my dear husband and traveling with my delightful brother and his beautiful wife. We will experience la dolce vita in Tuscany. Just like my family of old, I need, or maybe I just want, the vistas, the food, some vino, and hopefully a little dancing in the garden. I need a little dolce vita.

So, back to repacking, rechecking my lists, and maybe I can get in one more Italian lesson today. I’m feeling a bit pazzo...let’s go!!!

Scheisse! It's over!

Our grand adventure has come to a close, we are in the air and on our way home. Scheisse! Yes, I have learned a german swear word as well as an italian one! Vienna lived up to it's reputation of being a cultural hot spot, full of life and energy, and of course tourists. We stayed just outside the "inner ring" so everything was within walking distance. Walk we did and the weather was perfect to do just that. 

The naschemart. Forgive me for my gross misspelling of this wonderful outdoor food venue. 

Our happy coffee kid, Meinl. I wonder what he is thinking....

The visit to the fine arts museum was spectacular. I have never seen so many Egyptian artifacts in one place. 

This wonderful bird is from the 1500's and is made entirely of ivory. 

We moved onto the Czech Republic to Cesky Krumlov. What a glorious little fairy tale town this is, situated in the hills of southern Chech Republic. 

This is the sign at the border. Twenty years ago there was a double electrified and barbed wire fence surrounding the country. Up until this time there were armed guards that restricted all travel in and out of the country. Now, no guards, no fences except for a 50 foot section planted with flowers and maintained by a family to remind everyone of how it once was. People move freely between countries now. 

The Chech country side. These trees were planted to shade the soldiers as they marched.

Out our window at the Castleview Apartments. It certainly lived up to its name. 

 

More from Cesky Krumlov...

Brother Dan and Miss Jeni came for the weekend.

Hi there! Sugary and cinnamony pastry. 

We say goodbye to Cesky Krumlov and spend the day on the the Czech, Austrian, and German rail system. It was quite a challenge negotiating especially the Czech trains because of our utter lack of that complicated language but negotiate it we most certainly did and also the Austrian and German lines. The scenery was marvelous!  We were picked up by our cheerful and hospitable, Richard. What a wonderful friend that he and his dear wife would host us outside Munich in Brunnthal. They have a beautiful home and an amazing garden that Ingrid tenderly cares for.

Hi Ingrid and Richard! 

We had an amazing meal, relaxing at their home with loads of  one of my favorite wines, the Italian, Primitivo.  We finished our evening with champagne to celebrate all our good fortune (in italiano, buon fortuna...got to keep practicing!) The next morning we headed out for a lovely hike through the countryside. 

We returned home for a brief respite then out to dinner at an amazing Bavarian restaurant. Truffles, venison, pumpkin soup and an bottle of Barolo. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with our friends and are so grateful that we will see them again at Christmas when both our families will be together to celebrate.

So babies, that is about a wrap for this grand adventure. Wonderful and as always romantic Italy, vibrant and exciting Vienna, quaint and Slavic Cesky Krumlov, and finally Germany in the fall with friends. Spectacular! 

Gary and I wish everyone happiness and as always wonderful travels.

Ciao babies!!

PS check back in a few days and I will post some of my favorite pictures and even some from my wonderful brother, Danny. 

Grazie. No It's Danke!

Grazie senore, no wait it's danke. I'm confused. So, when we entered our first restaurant in this beautiful, bustling city called Vienna we expected Germanesque fare and we were greeted with "bouna sera senore i señora". It was awesome! I have to admit...all those hours of late night italian lessons on my iPad really have paid off. I understood much of what was said to me in Italy, was able to string together simple sentences, and was able to ask for a table for two by the window and two cappuccinos per favore. I even learned my first curse word in Italian. It is so bad I can't even repeat it here! I learned it one evening as Gary and I were enjoying an evening glass of wine , al fresco, and watched as a drama unfolded before us for our viewing pleasure. A young woman, on the phone, obviously angry with her young man. It was awesome to witness. Passion in its extreme. The Italians are passionate about everything. Their food, their families, their jobs...all of it. Bellisima! I digress...back to Vienna. It's danke, here. What an impressive town. Let me show you.

The Stephansdom.

Hofburg Palace.

Hot mulled wine, my new best friend.

Shopping Mecca. Amazing!

Love the fashion in this city and the crazy "hair" styles.

That's all for now. Ciao babies. 

Thanks to Basil

It's everywhere; On our caprese salads, along the fence lines, even in some liquori. Basil puts it's stamp of approval, often times that finishing garnish that seems to say, "finito", now you may eat.

 Wait a minute, not that basil... I meant Basil! My darling trainer in Tulsa. He made me lift weights, squat until I could squat no more, do those awful planks, and hang by giant rubber bands. But and this is a big BUT....I was ready for this grand adventure. I have climbed stairs that have seen centuries of pilgrims.

Lifted suitcases and bags, and walked miles and miles of what always seemed to be uphill centro historico (old centers) streets.

This beautiful building was in Volterra, the vampire town. Volterra sits way up high amidst the clouds.

 It is one of the epicenters of the Etruscan people. The museum dedicated to them is amazing with funerary tombs, examples of their mosaic floors, jewelry, even pans which they cooked with. This museo is worth the visit. 

My sweet husband has been in charge of all the driving. He is confident and efficient and I am terrified. Those  10# "curls" have helped me as I have clutched desperately to the handle above the car seat. I have needed all the muscles that Basil has insisted I develop. My "core" has served as a balancing center as Gary has negotiated the many hairpin mountainous turns, avoided scores of bicyclists and pedestrians, and deftly wound us through city centers; old and new. 

Our B &B in Panzano, Chianti, was Il Casselo. Beautifully situated between groves of olives and rows upon rows of grapes. 

And finally why we came to Chianti. 

So, thanks Basil for always being kind but insisting I keep on task. I was ready. I know you too would give me your stamp of approval. 

Next stop...Vienna. 

It's me! Ciao babies.

 

Vino rosso, per favore!

Frances and Franco have been such warm hosts at Frances' Lodge. Our accommodations made us feel at home and at the same time adventurous. The property is surrounded by olive groves from which Franco and Frances produce wonderful artisanal extra virgin olive oil. With our "picnic dinner" (hardly a picnic but a fabulous gourmet farm kitchen preparation) they served a wonderful vino rosso, to die for chestnut honey with a variety of preserved meats and cheeses, and of course homemade pasta. Delizioso!

Our sunset view from the gazebo.

Our private veranda.

We hated to leave but alas, time for Panzano in Chianti. Just a short drive, lunch in Radda (ooh ... and shopping at the Pratesi shoe factory outlet...needed some italian boots), then we arrived at our next "home" Il Casello Country House B & B. 

 Here's my sweetie on our patio. 

And view of the surrounding countryside. Not sure what we have on the agenda tomorrow. 

....psst...you have to check out my new bag I got in Siena. It's outrageous! 

Ciao babies!