Ahh- we are finally through our busy season, and the one (okay maybe, the only) good thing about winter is that life finally slows down for us. Which means… we’re finally getting around to editing and posting all the photos from our lovely Italian vacation last fall.
I absolutely fell in love with Italy almost five years ago during a girlfriends bus tour through Europe, and although we had SO much fun on our trip I found myself wishing I could explore all these places with Mike. Riding a gondola through the canals of Venice, or strolling through the cobblestone streets of Rome, or sipping wine while overlooking the rolling hills of Tuscany is basically the definition of romantic, am I right? So Mike promised that someday, after we’re married, we could go back together. Needless to say I have been looking forward to this trip for years. This time I decided to brave most of the planning myself, and honestly I think that was half of the fun. Travel is my love language, so scouring the web looking for the best restaurants and cutest hotels was right up my alley. Thankfully everything went off without a hitch… with the exception of the rental company giving away our car to another customer. They conveniently only had larger, more expensive vehicles available, but it all worked out in the end. 🙂 The whole trip was such a dream, and I’m beyond thankful to have had the opportunity to experience Italian culture with my handsome man, and two of our best friends.
So without farther adieu, here are some of my favorite images…

Venice.
For our time in Venice we opted to stay at an adorable B&B on Lido, one of the smaller islands just across the lagoon.
It was far less crowded and touristy, and gave us a taste of local life on the islands. In the mornings on the vaporetto (the Venetian boat system) we were joined by people on their way to work and parents taking their children to school. Plus we were greeted with this beautiful view every time we crossed the water.On day two in Venice we were joined by this beautiful lady. Ruthie had been in Switzerland with YWAM for the past year and met us for a few days which was so fun! I know everyone says they’re overrated, but in my opinion a trip to Venice isn’t complete with out a gondola ride. We were lucky enough to have a great gondolier who told us lots about the history of the city, and pointed out scenes from various movies. Anyone recognize this location? The scene from The Tourist when Johnny Depp jumps from the balcony into the farmers market. Tuscany.
After four days in Venice, we picked up our rental car and headed to Tuscany.
We stayed at Salvadonica, a gorgeous B&B overlooking the Chianti region.
The reviews for this B&B were phenomenal and it did not disappoint.
If you are ever in Tuscany, definitely stay here!
The next four images are all on the hotel’s property. Imagine having your breakfast (with all you can drink espresso and cappuccino) surrounded by this view.On our second day in Tuscany we set out to visit some of the surrounding vineyards and towns. Like Montefioralle, a tiny town on the top of a mountain that looks like it’s been frozen in time. It was gorgeous.

Every time I’d ask him to pose, the hubby would break out in the most ridiculous dance moves. 🙂
At least he keeps life interesting. 😉Siena.
After Tuscany, we headed for the Amalfi coast, but made a quick stop in Siena on the way. The Amalfi Coast.
We arrived at our hotel in time to catch the last five minutes of this breathtaking sunset. The Amalfi Coast is made of lots of little towns built into the cliffs all along the shoreline.
We started in Sorrento and drove all along the coast until we reached Ravello.
When I was researching driving in Amalfi, all the blogs and travel sites said the same thing…
The view is spectacular, but the roads are dangerous and the motorists are crazy.
They were right.
The roads are narrow and filled with drivers on scooters that take those hairpin turns without bothering to look if anything is coming the other direction. But the views… you can not beat the view. Mike drove the entire way and came back to our hotel with a migraine every night (understandably so), but other than that we all loved it. We stopped in Positano, and took the couple hundred steps down to the beach.
On our last afternoon at the coast we explored the Baths of Queen Giovanna, a little secluded beach in the cliffs.

We made a quick stop in Pompeii before heading to our final destination, Rome.Rome.
Rome was magnificent. The ancient ruins, the cobblestone streets, the beautiful architecture everywhere you looked- it was all exactly how I envisioned.
I think if I had to choose a favorite location, it would be Rome.
The culture is warm and hospitable, and there’s something so captivating about it’s history filled sights.Honestly, these two weeks are filled with some of my favorite memories, and photos that I’ll treasure for a lifetime.
I feel so blessed to be able to travel the world with my favorite guy.
XO.

And because you can’t be in all these beautiful places without a portrait session or two, there’s a whole bunch of gorgeousness coming this way soon.