Utterly Beguiling – the Cinque Terre

February 7, 201726 Comments

Italy’s Cinque Terre took my top spot in our power rankings and top three overall. While Spain has a firm grip on my soul, and I fell in love with Budapest, the Cinque Terre managed to claim a piece of me as well. My one and only journal entry, scribbled in brief, while exploring the coastal trails between the five villages:

I don’t know what to say. I am utterly in love. More in love than anywhere, ever. So much, it pains me. The sounds, sights, tastes, feel and smell…I can hardly stand it. This is my happy place – the happiest of happy. I could grow old here. I never want to leave.

Can you really blame me… Continue reading →

Forever (And the Eternal City)

September 14, 201617 Comments

To complete our Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow and Forever posts we are all contributing to this entry – our closing (but certainly not final) thoughts on this seven-month sabbatical across much of Europe. And as a backdrop, photos from the Eternal City – Rome, Italy. Rome was our last stop and from where we departed for home. A fitting end if I do say so.

As for Forever, Mr. N will kick us off…. Continue reading →

Aching Hearts – Italy’s Earthquake

August 24, 2016

A place that was like a dream for us is now a nightmare for so many. After spending all of July in Umbria, we know this area well. While our friends are safe, many are not. I cannot begin to imagine the horrors of something so unexpected, tragic and out of anyone’s control. We are thankful for our safety, but wish we could be there to offer any kind of help possible. Obviously, there are many places in the world that are in need of assistance, but today we feel particularly heartbroken for a place we came to know and love.

We will soon write more on our post-sabbatical adjustment, as well as our reflections on our seven weeks in Italy. Until then…Italy – Umbria in particular – you are in our thoughts, hearts and above all, our souls.