Our Honeymoon Plans Part I: Tuscany

While none of the wedding planning decisions have been easy for me {I have a very specific vision yet am also quite indecisive - a challenging combination}, choosing our honeymoon destination has been virtually a nine-month long debate. We bounced around staying in over-the-water bungalows in Bora Bora, going on a safari, relaxing in Hawaii, exploring Portugal, and even adventuring in Patagonia {which, I quickly found out, does not exactly have honeymoon weather in September}. However, from the get-go we just haven't been able to get Europe out of our minds, and the two destinations that we kept coming back to were Santorini and Lake Como {both on the very top of my bucket list}.

Travel Guide :: Val D'Orcia, Tuscany

There aren't many places that have captivated me more than the Val D'Orcia region of Tuscany.  Perhaps it's the fact that the rolling hillsides dotted with dancing cypress trees, grape vines, and clear blue skies make you feel like you've just stepped into an Impressionist painting.  Maybe it's the fact that some of the best wine in the world is just steps away from nearly everywhere you are.  It could be the pasta.  Or the incredibly kind people.  But whatever it is, I absolutely fell in love with this region and dream about the day I will return.

Travel :: Tuscan Hill Towns Part I

One of my favorite aspects of driving through Tuscany was stopping at the ancient hill towns scattered throughout the countryside.  On our third day we visited three towns: Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano.

Travel :: Under the Tuscan Sun

Whenever I go on a long trip friends always ask me what my favorite place I visited was.  Sometimes it is an easy choice {Paris} but most times it is an impossible question to answer.  I believe that every new place, new person, new experience offers you something to enrich your life.  Not every area you visit will be the most beautiful you have ever seen, but if you look hard enough you will be able to find what makes it special and unique.  That being said, I most certainly cannot pick a favorite place from our recent trip to Italy because I loved each area {Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Venice, & Florence} for different reasons.  However, in regards to my favorite days...this one is definitely up there with being one of the best of my life.

Travel :: Villa Cicolina

Today I'd like to share with you a little piece of Tuscan heaven...Villa Cicolina.  This gorgeous 16th century villa was the home of a noble family from Montepulciano until the end of the 19th century. In 2000 it was purchased by two doctors with a love for travel and they turned it into a small, luxury B&B.  From the beautiful pastel mosaic walls and ceilings to the HUGE fireplace to the antique furniture, rugs, and art, it truly was the epitome of what I always imagined as Tuscany.  We stayed in the Il Camino Junior Suite, and with it's six windows {all with a postcard view of the garden and hills}, canopy bed, and antique clawfoot bathtub, I couldn't help but let all of my worries wash away.

Travel :: Agriturismo La Sovana

Happy Friday dears!  Today I am very, very excited to tell you about our first day in Tuscany.  What started out as a terrible, nightmare of a day ended up as being pure magic.  The story: