Ahh Sweet Italy!!

Back from a fabulous trip with lots of inspiration and a bit of travel info to share!

The Almafi Coast was spectacular and a favorite excursion was to the lovely hilltop village of Ravello. We had an extraordinary time exploring the two main villas in town, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone. (above)

As you can see the gardens and the views were breathtaking!

First, I want to let you know that I have been to Rome three times. Above is a photo of Ancient Roman Forum. The history is overwhelming - so this trip we decided to finally hire a private guide to take us around. What a difference a guide makes!! We all learned so much and really the cost was very reasonable. David Lown is an art historian and he was fabulous! If you are heading to Rome this summer do contact him HERE and enjoy learning all about this fabulous city.

The greatest highlight of our trip to Rome was our excursion 35 feet UNDER St. Peter’s Basilica called “The Ufficio Scavi Tour” (Tour by Office of Excavations). Only a lucky 120 people are taken down each day, an incredible privilege, as St. Peters has over 20,000 visitors per day! We were taken down in small groups of 12, two levels below St. Peter’s to what was Vatican Hill over 1900 years ago. We saw St. Peters final resting place (and bones) as well as the tombs of the previous Popes. I could go on and on but click this link HERE to learn more and the link HERE to make a request for a tour. You will not be disappointed!!

A special area of Rome which enchanted us was the Villa Borghese Park. The first photo of this post and this photo are just a small sampling of what you will see. We spent a wonderful Sunday touring the Villa Borghese (filled with gorgeous Bernini sculptures) and the surrounding gardens. Do not miss this!

Another highlight was Pompeii – Words just can’t describe how we felt walking along the streets of this ancient buried city. I was incredibly taken by the Frescos, like this one above, that are still intact. We also decided to hire a personal guide in Pompeii. Lucia was wonderful and again I couldn’t recommend her more highly. You can contact her HERE.

Finally, remember my previous post about the fabulous Villa Torre Gentile? You can read about it HERE. The owner was kind enough to contact me and let me know that her spectacular villa is available for rent. So if you want to stay in an extraordinary, gorgeous stone villa in Italy do give her call. You can find out more about Villa Torre Gentile, also known as Villanova HERE

I have been so inspired by the architecture, beauty, color and gardens – well I could go on and on. My mind has been reeling since I’ve been back. I am not sure where it will take me, but I am excited to share my journey with you.

(If you do happen to contact our tour guides, do tell them Gina and her family said Hi! I am always so thrilled to pass on a good a contact!!)

(all post copyrighted by Willow Décor and not to be published with out permission)

Enjoying Italy!

We are settling in to life Italian style! And I must say they really know how to live- the pace is slower and you really stop to enjoy life!

How could we quickly rush thru the fantastic gardens of the Villa Rufolo in Ravello?

Or not slow down and admire the beauty

while we climb up and down the steps of Positano.

Or hike along a trail the locals call

“The Walk of the Gods” and not stop to smell the flowers. Magnificent!!

I took hundreds of photos of the frescos of Pompeii to share with you when I return.

But its back to wine and gelato for me, see you next week!! Ciao!!

(photo credit – Simon McBride for Domenico Minchilli, Google Images and Laura Taylor)

Our Summer Trip to Italy

This summer we are taking the family to Italy. We are not “ten cities in ten days” type of travelers. We like to linger in one place and really explore off the beaten path. When Dave and I lived in Germany we spent many weekends in Italy, but because we often drove, we never went too far south.

So this year, we thought we would first take the kids to see the highlights of Rome and the Vatican; and of course the Fountains.

I am pretty excited about our private tour of Villa Borghese.

And then, as they both have been studying Latin and Pompeii, we head to Pompeii to explore the ruins.

But most of our time will be spent relaxing on the Amalfi coast, a place we have never been.

We plan on hiking the interesting trails from town to town.

Attending family cooking school to learn to make some yummy regional dishes.

In my travel search I came across this fabulous site for renting Italian villas, you can see more HERE. I found an amazing one I wanted to share with you in Positano.

Villa Casa Giusy has the most gorgeous views.

But the inside is equally spectacular – I love the relaxed decor.

Can you imagine living here year round?

The kitchen is just wonderful notice the iron scroll work on the door. I can imagine myself rolling out a big sheet of homemade pasta on that table.

The bedroom is also beautiful. I adore the tile floor. I am so excited to see all the beautiful handmade tiles.

If any of you have been to this area and have recommendations I would love to hear from you. We are so excited and I can’t wait to bring back photos and inspiration from trip. I wonder where it will lead us...

(all contents by Willow Décor and not to be copied with out permission)

Ethno Eames

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Venetia Studium - Italy

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PATHOS Table

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