Well, hiya. I mentioned in my previous post that G & I holidayed in Italy in October. Well, just saying ‘Been there, done that.’  doesn’t feel like enough. My blog is a diary of sorts and though the subject matter is usually stuff I’ve made…each post manages to capture at least a few moments of my everyday life….if not in the writing, then via a photo.  It’s as though the words, or the images, make it easier for me to access a memory…and I like that. With that in mind, I decided to write a blog post…actually two blog posts.  Hey…it helps me keep my memories intact and it’s a little armchair travel for you.  Okay…technically….not my first trip to Italy…I was one of a bunch of giggly girls herded around London and Italy many years ago.  It was a school trip… pretty much a whirlwind of churches and museums and glazed eyes….in other words, nothing like Italia – 2016. First stop : : Rome Oddly, I really, really, wanted to see the Colosseum. I say oddly because gladiators and caged animals and duels to the death are really not my thing. That being said, there was something utterly compelling about the Colosseum. Touring a structure of that age…it was completed in AD 80…and of such an enormous size was even more astounding than I anticipated. And. Despite the rather grim entertainment, the energy within it’s walls was really quite peaceful. Four days in Rome…four captivating days under it’s spell.  Over and over again, I found myself transported in time. And what astonished me most; it was without gimmickry, without costumes, without theatrics. It was simply about being present and letting the magic unfold. It’s no secret, Rome’s history is vast…there are so many museums, churches, temples and ruins to see…and yes, we saw a lot. But. It was as important that we explore neighbourhoods to get a feel for everyday life.  We wandered the neighbourhoods of Campo de’ Fiori {our home base}, Trastevere {a favourite}, Piazza Navona, and Piazza di Spagna, to name but a few. A lot of walking? Absolutely. But we rewarded ourselves daily with fabulous Roman style pizza, pasta and wine!   I love how Rome cannot be defined by a single era. It’s modern and current and today.  But…it’s also ancient. Nearly every corner turned, we discovered carefully preserved remnants of early Rome.  And….for this Roman Holiday geek…it was effortless … Continue reading ITALY : : ROME : : FLORENCE