Tuesday afternoon we began our journey to Italy. We drove the children to John's house, leavning Maddie and Grandma B. at home. We were about to experience new places and familiar bits of Italy. We were excited.
We then drove to Vegas and stayed the night. Up early and it took us 24 hours to get to Milan.
Luckily we dined in fancy lounges and avoided the airport chaos.
You know I crocheted doilies for all the business class fliers.
A simple doily adds the perfect touch, don't you think? HAHAHAHAH!
Austin slept wonderfully well. Well, I did not. I slept for about an hour, and that counted as an entire night's rest.
Coons and Parkers met up with us in New Jersey, which began our brilliant adventure.
Milan was our first stop.
After dropping our luggage, we were off.
A city-bike tour in torrential rain barely phased us.
On the roof of the duomo, the rain stopped, so Lyndsey and I sat to feel normal again. After our one hour of sleep, we were a little off.
This building contained nothing of Jesus Christ -- it was a hodge-podge of pop culture old and new. It was weird.
More rain and more miles biking in the rain. We took advantage of all the porticos and gelaterias within our reach.
Austin planned something special for us -- we went to the church that houses Da Vinci's "Last Supper." This church was filled with depitctions of Christ, and I imagnined people worshipping there. The fresco is actually located on the cafeteria wall (rectory). Fitting. I kind of want to commemorate the First Sacrament on my dining room wall.
Friday we traveled by train to Lake Como. On and off rain made our boat ride a bit wet, but we stayed dry under the cover.
We putted around on the water cooing at the public and private properties. "I could have a vacation home here."
When the rain let up, we opened the cover and just drank in the refreshing water and air.
Lunch in the little town of
Bellagio -- way better than Vegas -- and simple browsing was enchanting. Lyndsey and I ordered the "chef's pasta." It was a simple red sauce, but it was the best pasta I've ever eaten. The flavors were light but satisfying.
Please note that I bought and wore this Lake Como sweatshirt (via Amazon prior to leaving) specifically for this day. I'm never getting rid of it.
Train ride home proved to be the perfect napping place for most of us.
We spent the evening walking around in the city center and just enjoying the dry night.
Photo-bomber. 😂
Up early and off to
Verona for a relaxing Saturday.
Lyndsey found her classy/classic/darling trench.
Candy store -- I went straight for the chocolate covered nuts.
He went to the pirate.
The city center was all blocked off to traffic, so the tight alleys and vintage shops weere so inviting.
I want to do this to my front door.
We visited
Juliet's balcony -- which is hysterical, because the story is fiction and so is this balcony. Alas, we stood in line and did our duty to
Shakespeare.Open market finds for lunch.
Shade was the commodity for sure. Austin and I found
arroncini. I had been waiting for those.
We walked and meandered all over the city.
The best bit was the
funicular that carried us up to the castle on the hill. The city view took on an even more impressive trait.
More flowers.
My shop.
Austin booked a
gelato class -- that was awesomely delicious.
More walking and entertaining ourselves. Perfect weather here in Verona.
Whitni reserved a delicious dinner at
La Greppia -- food was divine -- prior to our opera.
THEN! We walked to the
Verona Arena -- the anciet ampitheater -- and sat for three hours listening to "
Rigoletto" by
Verdi. There were no mics, just solid voices and accoustics. One voice carried throughout the entire venue.
Magical. Sitting outside listening to professional musicians and artisits filled my soul.
We all loved it.
Of course we stayed in a little hotel with appropos room themes.
Sunday morning the Coons went to Venice and the Parkers came with us to the
Dolomites. We spent the Sabbath day out of the city and needing not one shop to sup or refuel. It felt like Sunday.
The Seneca trial is a ski lift that took us the trails atop the Dolomiti. So beautiful
Then we hiked six miles to another vista -- the area at the top seemed just like the Heidi setting.
We relaxed and ate tuna packets.
All day long (except the crazy driving) we spent outside in the open air and among granite giants.
Then we posed and jumped off rocks.
We landed here for more golden-hour photos and real good food.
Famous Instagram shot.
I love a good shadow pose -- I'm as tall as the rest.
Look what the morning views gave us!
Oh, just the casual ceral bar.
We hiked an chilled among these rolling hills, farms and small towns.
We couldn't get enough.
Austin planned another day of hiking and skirting among the rocks. We actually had cell phone reception -- so we chatted with both our missionaries. Nick's smile is infinite and contagious. Maisie's giggle is soul-filling. They are both so happy serving and loving.
Lunch.
Trials and paths. I was cold unless I was walking uphill.
Breath-taking views.
After several hours in the peaks, Austin took us to Cortina -- home of the 2026 Olympics. We shopped and talked with shop owners. The shops were once again filled with real products made by real people who don't stock China trinkets.
These ski runs will be the women's downhill races in winter. Cool. Literally.
This little cashmere scarf was a terrific find -- it's just enough to keep me warm, but not bulky in any way.
Another view from another Bed and Breakfast. This could never become routine.
Stressful commute to Florence -- reuniting with the Coons just felt right -- I missed them.
La Academia and David had to be our first stop. The fact that he's made of marble trips me out.
He's an icon for sure. The humanization of concious thought -- Michaelangelo's gift is a gift.
We hired a tour guide to teach us all about the Medicis and the Palazzo Vechio. Three hours of learning/reviewing facts and dates and faces was exhausting.
We made it through. Our guide was really great. She was my favorite.
I've been waiting for seven years for more Ponte Vecchio gold. Ah. He was very nice and we stopped in the same shop and worked with our same sales-lady. Bougie mom.
More walking and meadering.
I wanted to buy a "Lapiz Lazuli" painting, but I didn't know how to get it home.
Dinner.
Our golden-hour passeggiata was incredible.
We couldn't get enough -- so we stayed out way too late and chatted and laughed.
Hot chocolate and ice cream. This is a win.
Michaelangelo is burried in this Florentine church.Off to spend two days in Tuscany. We only needed a few hours driving in the countryside to to see another view of Italy.
We stopped at quaint hill top cities to shop and lunch.
More wandering and meandering with all the ease and comfort in the world.
We landed in a resort/spa.
It was pretty amazing. The Parkers taught us their sauna/cold pluge routine, and it the exercise actually revitalized me. I liked it.
We dined on site and were quite shocked to learn that we had been sitting for over three hours chatting and eating. My, it was a night to remember.
The next morning we drove to Montepulciano and e-biked 25 miles in the country side.
Of course we stopped when necessary to sip and sup.
I want to paint art like this.
We were back by 3pm to make sure we could swim and relax. We did every bit of recharging.
One of the three pools.
I guessed the sunset views were going to be spectacular. I was right. Practically a Hallmark kissing shot.
These three matched at dinner.
These six didn't love dinner quite as much as other places, but we did love each other just as much.
Breakfasts in Umbria were pretty remarkable. My camomille tea, doughnuts and cucumber salads made me so happy.
Our room.
Off to ROME!
The last time we were here, the temple wasn't completed, so we were so happy to worship in the house of the Lord. Whitni prepared family names to seal, and so for an hour we gathered around the altars in the Lord's house to unite families in eternal relationship that transcend the grave.
Olive braches and trees are the flora theme of this temple.
I was so excited to see the Christus and twelve apostles in this visistors' center. I felt the spirit testify to me of God's plan, my purpose in it, and my potential because of Jesus. Heaven. The temple, the grounds and the visitors' center was heavenly.
After the quiet of the temple, we found ourselves in the rush of the city. The metro.
The Spanish Steps.
Piazza Nuvona
Fresh, clear water fountains.
Pantheon
Carravggio
Hadrian's building
Vechi's gelateria
Success
Trevi Fountain
Wood-fired pizza
Night time in Rome
Early morning headed to the Vatican -- with 30,000 other humans.
Breakfast stop.
We hired Santi, who guided our footfalls and attention. With over 80,000 pieces of art, there is always A LOT to take in.
Out with the Roman pagans, in with Christianity.
Gazing at Raphael's School of Athens.
The three hours in the Vatican and the Sistine chapel wiped us out. Antiquity is really cool, but there is just so much.
Austin led us to the Colosseum.
The Forum.
The key-hole park.
Relaxed.
We ate early and wandered every last second of our last day. Pantheon at night.
Night time at Trevi.
Our last bit of gelato.
I found this coin to fill my new chain. I think it's really lovely.
Sunday morning we spent another 24 hours to be reunited with our children.
We read, prayed and worshipped in our little cubbies.
My body was tired, but my soul was awake. I wanted to know more about so many things -- details about history, languages, cultures, religion and mortality. It dawned on my that the BOM is older than any of the buildngs we visited and the same age as some of the Estruscan art. The buildings and art are old an tarnished, but the ancient record -- The BOOK OF MORMON -- is in its purest and most perfect form. I felt blessed to know antiquity so well -- to understand and read Jesus's teaching to ancient and modern people throughout all of history.
I spent so many moments staring at Austin and think about our 25 year journey together. He used his Italian skills and keen mind to guide our entire vacation. He is my ultimate wonder and partner. I'm privileged to grow old together and progress in unity.
So good. Just. So. Good.
