Insiders Italy

Last minute (once my passport was released from the residency permit process), we booked a trip to Italy for Spring Break - prompted by our goal to get to our friends' (the Belli's) house near Bologna.

Flying on Hungary's low cost carrier - Wizz Air (think Southwest without the friendly personnel) - got us to Milan directly.  A few hours later (not short hours - I suspect the shorter your kids, the longer the car hours), we arrived in their village of Marola.  

Having only been in urban Italy before, I was surprised how lush & green is was....

We had a fab time hanging out with Clara, Paolo & Gio and so enjoyed an 'insiders view' of their area.  

Highlights included, a trip to the Parmigiano Regiano cheese factory.....

(the kids distracted by the cheesy smell!)

A hike around an amazing lake....

(We weren't entirely prepared for the snow still on the ground - I'm not sure my lecture 'now you will listen next time I suggest you pack layers' sunk in - but one has to try)  

And some fantastic meals...including these amazing donut like things served with cheese, meat etc

And pizza I can't stop dreaming about....

(Zoe guarding 'hers')

Best of all was the fun hanging out....jumping...

worm & bug catching.....

Housing their new friends in construction vehicles....

A whole fleet of them....

(Thanks Belli's for showing us good times & guiding us to more Italian adventures)


From there, we road tripped to Florence & a small coastal town (Follonica) with a quick stop in Pisa along the way.

Among those, Quincy reported Pisa was his favorite due to the allure of the leaning tower.. 

We were pleasantly surprised to learn that you CAN climb up it again (was closed for ~12 years to stabilize).  The boys & I headed up.....

(while Xavier can pass for 8, that's a stretch for Zoe)

And dang - you could really feel the tilt in the climb!

Zoe & Xavier reported their favorite was the beach - likely due to the time to just screw around...playing in the sand.....

hurling sand balls at each other....

(yes, our boys who consider sweat pants both clothes AND pajamas, also wear them as beach attire)

and burying one another....

(kind of a scared looking happy, no?!)

With fond memories, pink cheeks & slightly smaller clothes, we returned home with a load of Italian delicacies......

As well as a taste of home to get us through to summer....

(Yes, we have LOADS of crackers here, but 'they just aren't the same' according to Q.  Considering our frequency of hauling brownie mix, frosting & cake sprinkles, we can hardly protest)

Here's to Spring Break & hoping the worm & bug catching passion didn't make it back with us too