After many months of planning and preparation, it’s just about time to go to Italy. So now I’m going to start packing. Let’s see: I need to leave room in the suitcase for souvenirs such as scarves, Venetian glass jewelry and chocolate. Well, never mind the chocolate. It rarely makes it home.
On my to-do list:
Look for gelato shops and sample as many flavors as possible. Save the tiny spoons for souvenirs.
Take lots of pictures and remember to occasionally put the camera away and simply enjoy the scenery.
Bring an extra pair of walking shoes, an umbrella, a poncho, and be grateful for good weather.
But it can also be beautiful when it rains…
I’m hoping to have lots of adventures so I’ll have interesting things to write about when I get back. Arrivederci!
It’s very nice. :)
Thanks! It’ll be a great trip :)
Bye for now … Have a wonderful time and come back safe with loads of photos to share with us. :-)
Thank you Sallyann! I’m looking forward to this trip and I think the photos will be some of my best souvenirs…
Buon viaggio!
Grazie Jennifer – and I hope the time goes very slowly while I’m there!
I think you’ll have a brilliant time, and you can always fill your pockets with chocolate bars. Looking forward to your piccies and tales on your return!
I like your idea of keeping chocolate in my pockets :) And Italy is so gorgeous I know it will be a great trip!
I can’t wait to see your pictures! Have a great time Meg. :-)
Thanks so much, and I’ll definitely take lots of pictures!
Have a great time, looking forward to hearing all about it on your return. I’ll bet their chocolate ice cream is great ;-)
I have to agree with that – chocolate ice cream sounds delicious! And thank you, I am looking forward to lots of adventures there!
Have a grande time! Look forward to the posts.
Thanks Darlene. It will be so much fun to write about the trip!
Love Italy! Have a wonderful and safe trip.
Thank you, I appreciate that. I think Italy is wonderful, too!
I always wonder if anyone wakes up in the morning and steps outside, forgetting that their door opens onto a watery front yard.
That’s a great description of what could happen! And do people keep life preservers hanging by the door? Maybe I’ll find out when I’m there!
Have fun, soak it all in, and enjoy-looking forward to seeing some more great photos and hearing about your journey
I appreciate your good wishes Sharon. It’ll be lots of fun just being there!
Have a brilliant time and keep us updated.
Thank you – I’m hoping for a great trip!
Bon Voyage! I hope you have a lovely time in Italy.
I really appreciate that. Thank you!
Your best advise was, remember to put the camera away! I’ve forgotten to “smell the roses” more often then not when I get so carried a way taking photos. But you know, when I get home and look at those snap shots I’m thrilled to have them because I know memories fades and I will always be able to relive the trip the my lens.
I’m definitely going to try to balance taking pictures with simply enjoying the beautiful sights. But it’s also nice to have the pictures as souvenirs later on. Good point Karen – thanks!
Have a wonderful time. I like that you save the gelato spoons for souvenirs :)
Thank you! And one good thing about those little spoons – they don’t take up much room in the suitcase :)
I like your to-do list! Have fun shopping Venetian glass jewelry! They are beautiful to wear, to look,….
I’m glad you like that list! And although I’ll try not to buy too much Venetian glass jewelry, I’m sure I’ll “forget” I only have so much room in my suitcase!
Here’s to Traveling and Adventuring – ENJOY!!!
I like your choice of words Renee! They really express how I feel, too. Thank you!
Have a wonderful trip!!! I love gelato so have a spoon for me too!
Thank you, and I know how you feel about gelato! It would probably be my favorite souvenir if only it wouldn’t melt… :)
You should pack me in that suitcase Meg. I love Italy – Venice especially. I can’t wait for all of your insights and pictures. Be safe and have a ton of fun!
I must admit I’m looking forward to seeing Venice! But everywhere I’ve been in Italy is beautiful, so I know I’ll come back with new favorite places. And thank you!
Have fun. Are you coming to Lucca?
Thanks! I’ll be in Florence and Siena, but unfortunately not Lucca (this time). I’d love to visit Lucca in the future, though…
Hi,
Have a fantastic time and enjoy. :D
I have a feeling it’s going to be a wonderful trip! And thanks so much :)
I’m excited for you. Have fun
Thanks Jo! I can’t wait to go back to Italy… :)
‘Buon viaggio, bon voyage, and buen viaje to you Meg!
Thanks for your good wishes in so many languages Marcia! I know I’ll have a great trip now :)
Have a wonderful trip! I can’t wait to hear about it!
Safe and happy travels….
Elisa
Thank you Elisa! I’ve been looking forward to this for months, and now it’s here. I just hope the actual trip goes slowly… :)
I don’t know the answer to this, Meg. Is there good Italian chocolate? :-) I laughed at saving the gelato spoons…good idea! Have an absolutely wonderful time, and savor every moment! I’ll be so eager to hear all your highlights! Debra
Great question, and I’ll do research by sampling Italian chocolate while I’m there! Between that and collecting spoons I should stay busy :) And thanks Debra – I’m really looking forward to this trip!
I am jealous….have a wonderful time!
Thank you! My mother’s family is from Italy, so it’s like going home for me…
Happy stay there. I love gelato. :)
Thanks – I think that visiting Italy and enjoying gelato is a perfect combination!
Have fun on your trip. It must Italy year or something. I’ve read a few posts lately on vacations is different parts of Italy. Are they having specials? BTW-chocolate never makes it back with me either. I stopped promising friends I would bring some to them. They kept getting mad at me when I confessed I ate their gift :)
Ashley
I completely understand, Ashley – I’ll gladly bring back gifts other than chocolate! And I can say that I simply wanted to go to Italy this year. It’s one of my favorite places to visit… :)
Wow! Lucky you! Have a wonderful time and tell us all about it when you return
Thank you – I’ve really been looking forward to this trip! And I hope to have lots to share when I get back, too :)
I am so excited for you, don’t forget to buy one extremely tacky souvenir that will make people wonder where your good taste and sense of style went, it will make you smile every time you look at it. Have a fabulous time sampling all the gelati flavours and other delicious treats, happy travels my friend.
Ciao for now!
That’s a great suggestion about a souvenir – I’ll have to do that! And thank you. I’m going to “sample” lots of gelato and just have fun!
Awesome. Have a great trip!!
Thanks! I’m definitely looking forward to it :)
Thank you for visiting my post! But, you are in Italy… Happy travels!
Your garden photos are beautiful! And thank you, I can’t wait to be in Italy again… :)
Wow, that last photo is gorgeous! Enjoy the gelato :)
Thanks – I was in Venice early in the day and it was still quiet. And I’m ready for some gelato (tiny spoon in hand)!
Buon viaggio! And yes, do remember to put the camera down from time to time and just enjoy :)
I’ll have to remind myself of this a lot! But I think it’s possible to balance the two… And thanks :)
Hope you get lovely weather and lots of gelato :) Hope you packed the bubble wrap, too! We are in Florence today, and the weather today was beautiful. Will send it your way…!
I’m going to get some bubble wrap right now! It sounds like you’re having a wonderful trip yourself. I can’t wait until mine begins!
so excited for you! I’ve been in Nice, France since January and had the chance to visit I
taly since it was so close! enjoy :]
It sounds like you’re having a wonderful adventure yourself! Going to Italy is really special to me, and thank you for your good wishes… :)
I’ve been traveling vicariously through there lately, but that’s really not good enough! I love Venice and everything about Italy. Hope you have a great trip (but I know you will since after all you’re going to Italy). Enjoy as much gelato and chocolate as possible!
Thank you Sheila! Italy is such a beautiful place to visit, and enjoying gelato while sightseeing is wonderful experience… :)
“Forget the chocolate, they never make it back anyway” – Hahaha OH SOOO TRUEE!!! Have fun and safe travels in Italy! I hope to make it there one of these days! Can’t wait to read all about it!
One day I’ll be able to bring chocolate home safe and sound – maybe! But I’ll do my best to remember everything so I can write about it :)
I would like to pass along the Versatile Blogger award along to you. I have really enjoyed your photos and words. Thanks Terri
Thank you Terri! It’s so exciting to be nominated for a blog award. And congratulations to you too :)
Have a great time in Italy!! :)
Thanks! Italy is one of my favorite places and I always love being there… :)
Looks like you had great fun :)
It was a great trip, and I took lots of pictures! Italy is a wonderful place to visit… :)
Arrivederci! Indeed!
I think it’s so much more dramatic than saying “see you later”… :)
:)
I have to confess that one of the best things about traveling to Italy (and France) was in the planning. The preparation was such fun! But it was such a great destination. :)
I really enjoy planning for trips too! And Italy and France are marvelous destinations… :)
And thank you for liking my post! Thanks for visiting…
I really enjoyed visiting your blog. Good stories and pictures, too!
I appreciate the feedback, megtraveling ;)
You’re back, Meg~ And I’m so enjoying your gorgeous photos! Love the colors of the buildings. You have a great eye for framing and setting shots. I love the preparation for a trip. The anticipation is part of the excitement! The trip home is always longer and sadder for me, although it’s always good to be home. ;)
Thanks for another great post!
Thanks so much Judy! Italy is so beautiful and photogenic it’s lots of fun to take pictures. And I agree that the time spent preparing for a trip makes it that much more enjoyable!
Italy is filled with beautiful architecture, no matter what city you visit, from what I’ve seen throughout the blogs. I hope you have a grand time while your out and about exploring the many wonders Italy has to offer. Too, I agree with you on that chocolate, besides it would be ashamed if it were to melt in your suitcase and ruin your other little trinkets. I’d eat that on site, too, I think.
I’ve pretty much given up on keeping chocolate long enough to put in my suitcase! Besides, it’s fun to go sightseeing in Italy while munching on chocolate. And there are so many beautiful places to see…
Just beautiful! Love the architecture.
I think the gorgeous architecture is one of the best things about visiting Italy!
I am just catching up on things and saw you stopped by my blog. THANKS!
So how was the trip? Italy is awesome… I’ve been 3 times. Where did you go? Or maybe I should look at other posts and find out ;)
I love Europe and especially Italy. I love the whole Roman Empire thing and the old buildings…. Can’t wait to read more.
The trip was fantastic! I’ve been to Italy before but another trip is always a good idea! I was in Tuscany, also Rome and Venice. I’ve got lots of posts planned :)
Can’t wait… armchair travel is the best when you can’t get away!