Our time in France had come to an unfortunate end, however we had an excellent excuse for leaving — we were headed to Italy! From Aix en Provence we drove several hours even further south to Nice. I might not have had any time to explore the city, but I certainly left with an unforgettable souvenir.
From Nice we flew to Rome and were immediately greeted by our animated Italian Travel Director Marco. We were now beginning an abbreviated version of Trafalgar Tours’ Flavor of Italy program, which for us would include time in Tuscany, Florence, and Rome. If you are searching for the very best of what Italy has to offer, then this is the guided vacation for you. I decided to give my arm some rest and put down my DSLR for the day, thus all of the photos in this post are from my iPhone.
Our first stop on the four hour road trip to Tuscany was at a petrol station. Except, it was not just a regular petrol station, it was as if we had walked into heaven on earth. Who knew that Italian “pit stops” were actually the place to be? There was a café with the most delicious cappuccinos and espressos (remember to never drink a cappuccino after 11AM when in Italy), there was a restaurant that served authentic Italian cuisine handmade by local grandmothers, and there were chocolate bars half the size of my body for only a couple of Euros.
After an hour in the road-side Paradise, it was time for us to finish our journey for the day. I definitely could have used an afternoon slumber, but the beauty of the Italian countryside captivated my attention and I soon found myself lost in thought. I am not often presented with the luxury of time to simply ponder life and my surroundings, thus I cherished every sacred second.
One thought that kept crossing my mind was my connection to Italy. I am half-Italian, hence the last name Perullo. It is the part of my heritage that I feel the closest too, yet surprisingly know very little about. I have only been to Italy once before this trip and my Italian grandparents passed away when I was young. Nonetheless, despite my cultural ignorance, I feel the passionate Italian blood running deep within my veins and I desire to connect even more with my roots.
Eventually, we arrived at Villa Il Poggiale, our home for the next two days. Because evening had befallen, it was impossible to see the true magnificence of the villa and her grounds, but there was one thing that we could definitely see and that was their illuminating chandelier, which is the first thing to welcome guests upon entering. Oh, how wonderful it was to be back in Italy again!
For more attractions in Italy and France, you can visit OverseasAttractions.com.
There are a few reasons that I’m dying to go Italy and I’ll list them here: lasagna, pizza, ravioli, red wine….
Hahahaha all very good reasons!!!! You forgot gelato though! 😉
I have to say Andi, of all your trips, this one is one of my absolute faves!! It might be because I am travel-deprived right now, but I can’t wait for the next installment!
Hahaha you poor thing! Thank you so much for your kind words — I’m glad that you’ve enjoyed this series so much!!! I’ve had a great time creating these posts! XO
Hello-o!? What did you buy at Hermes??? 😉
Hahahaha I KNEW you would ask that! 😉
I bought a bracelet and bought Lucas a tie!!!
I can only imagine how much you must love getting in touch with your Italian roots.
And, these pictures? Stop making me want an iPhone! My BlackBerry definitely doesn’t do photos like this.
I left so inspired to find all of my long lost Italian relatives haha! I want to do a family genealogy tree now!!! You NEED an iPhone period. 🙂
I hope they are treating you well, because you definitely have me ready to book with Trafalgar. Is there an “I am booking this because of Andi P” code I need to enter on their website? 🙂
With booking a tour with this company as opposed to a STA or Contiki, how does that change the way you pack? Does a traveler need to bring less jeans and t-shirts and more slacks and button ups (for males at least)?
Awww you are WAY too sweet!!! Haha, there is no Andi code, but I’m liking that idea! 😉 Honestly, I really do hope you travel with TT, because they do travel best. If you book something with them please let me know!
BTW TT owns Contiki! You bring whatever you are most comfortable in. I would of course recommend a couple of nice outfits, but I always dress nice when I’m traveling. I wear dresses when I go on hikes haha!!!
I love these Trafalgar posts! You made me laugh with the description of the gas station. I remember thinking the same on my very first trip to Europe 10 years ago. The gas stops are much less “chain” like and have full meals, cafés, gift shops… They are a great place to buy chocolates and food souvenirs! Besos guapa!
They are amazing right!?! I wish we had places like this in the US. I would totally do more road trips then haha!!! Besos bonitaaaaaa!
lovely shots and lovely guide. the hubs and I hope to make it to Europe sometime in the next year or so.
Thank you so much! I hope you can make it there too. Which countries are you thinking of visiting?
STUNNING PICS!
THANK YOU!
I love, love, love Italy, I think I love Italy more than France (but not more than Paris if that makes sense). The coffee is to die for, the country is beautiful and the peeps are cooler than the French. I spent 17 days there in 2007 and smaller trips off and on. I am going back for two weeks next Oct and I cannot wait – you have me salivating already!
That totally makes sense, though I’m in a bit of shock to hear that!!! There is something so ridiculously special about Italy. I will for sure be making more trips back to my Motherland in the future. 2 week there will be AMAZING!!!!!!!!
Hermes…DROOL! You little luxury monster!
Hahahaha I love it, “luxury monster!” I’m so going to use that from now on.
Andi these are absolutely gorgeous iPhone pics!
Why thank you SO much!!!
Incredible shots girl!
Thanks a million!
Oh god… all that chocolate… I’ve been OD’ing on chocolate every day this week… soooo good!!!
Chocolate is the best right!?! Solves every problem! 🙂
Wow Andi just wow! Your pics are gorgeous!!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!
Stunning photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so very, very much!
Gorgeous pics!
Thanks!
Bravo Andi!!!!!!!! Stunning post!
Awww thank you so much!
Gorgeous work Andi!
Thanks Erin!
We so appreciate your website post!!!
That’s so awesome to hear!
Bravo Andi on awesome pics!
Thanks a million Ken!
What super de duper awesome pics Andi!
Thanks so much Tabatha!
Just wanted to let you know that I booked a TT because of you!
WOW, that is sooo awesome!!!
Fantastic post!
Thanks Ivy!
Andi your photos should be in magazines!
Wow what a compliment thank you!
You are SUCH an inspiration Andi!
Thanks Lisa!
I seriously didn’t want this post to end!
Thanks so much for your kind words!
Gorgeous Andi, gorgeous!
Thanks Maria!!!
I enjoyed this post so much 🙂
I love hearing that!
Nobody travels like you Andi!
What a compliment, thanks!
Your posts keep getting better and better!
Glad to hear that! 🙂
I gotta get myself there now!
Yes you do! 🙂
Loved this post!
Oh yay!!!
Loved your photos Andi!
Thanks Marissa!
That’s it, you make me want to see the world!
Wahhoooo!!!
Your pictures really deserve to be in a magazine.
Such an awesome compliment thank you!!!
I am definitely going to travel with Trafalgar now.
That is SUCH great news!
Thank you for being you!
Haha you’re so welcome! 😉
You are SO talented!
Thanks Lea!!!
I love that part of the world!
Me too!!!
Excellent camera work Andi!
Thanks Tom!
I want your life!
🙂
Lovely Andi!
Thanks Gabe!
You were born to do this Andi!
Awww thank you!
Awesome post Andi!
Thanks Bob!!!
Andi I get totally absorbed into your posts!
What a great compliment, thanks!
So lovely to see you wanting to explore your roots in such a beautiful country. 🙂
“remember to never drink a cappuccino after 11AM when in Italy” – Really?
I know right? But well that’s “the rule.”