Ciao Italia!

It's taken me far too long to get around to blogging about our Easter trip to Italy, which we LOVED!

Being there with Darren and Sebby was lots of fun and very relaxing. Here are some photo highlights from our trip.

Enjoy!

Our first stop was Pisa, where we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on the lawn in front of the Leaning Tower.

Next we set out for Cinque Terra. I had been dreaming about going there since my last time in Europe (2003) since I didn't make it that year. It was a longer journey than we anticipated as we got stranded in La Spezia for a day because the regional trains to Cinque Terre (the only way to get there!) were on strike. Lucky Sebby was able to take a nap. Darren & I wandered around until we found gelatto.

Well worth the wait to get to Cinque Terre. We enjoyed the beautiful sunset in Corniglia. It was magical. Even Sebby was impressed! He kept saying "whoa!" and pointing at the sun over the water.

The beach at Monterosso was AWESOME! It was the sunniest day of our vacation, which was pretty amazing. And yes, Sebby ate some sand too.

The only hiking we did in Cinque Terre was the easiest walk (paved sidewalk, 30 mins from Riomaggiore to Manarolo). Sebby found some cool stuff to look at, "whoa!". Boats, I think? Or birds, maybe?

A little rain in Vernazza didn't dampen our spirits. Big smiles for the camera.

Chasing Daddy on the walls in Lucca.

We braved the crazy crowds & noise to watch the explosion of the cart outside the Duomo (Cathedral) in Florence on Easter Sunday. 

We went away feeling quite disappointed and somewhat angry that there was no mention of Jesus' rising or the meaning of Easter throughout the festivities. What a wasted opportunity to have thousands of people were gathered together on such a special day and to have them watch a parade then a cart explode.

Florence is a beautiful city!

Taking a rest at the Piazza del Campo in Siena. Our favourite destination on our Italian tour.

The view over San Gimignano. (Sebby was asleep in the carrier on Darren's back).

We enjoyed Italy so much and hope to return some day soon. Darren even began enjoying Italian food and has asked to eat out at Italian restaurants since returning to Glasgow. 
Small miracle, I'd say!