Ahhh, Italia

I know I was just barely raving about how much I love Christmas & how great this time of year is, but I've got to tell you, this season also makes me feel a bit restless.

The weather is beginning to get a little chilly, the sky a little gloomy, and I find myself wanting to travel to somewhere I can wear my bathing suit.  Either that or somewhere I can enjoy good food and good company.

When I was 15, my parents took me and my 13 year old brother on the trip of a lifetime.  We spent a week and a half in Paris and Rome. To say that it was a dream is an understatement.

We visited the Eiffel Tower, La Louvre to see the Mona Lisa (she's smaller than you'd think), and Notre Dame.  In Italy we visited the Trevi Fountain, St. Peters Basilica, The Vatican City, and drove past the Colesseum atop a double decker bus.

Even though those dreamy places were amazing and prestigious, my favorite part of the trip was Siena.  This place is the most beautiful I've ever visited.  It's your typical Italian thought, with cobblestone streets & restaurants with their seating outside for people watching.  Google it. It's history will not disappoint.

My parents are great travelers and found a picture perfect restaurant for us, tucked back in the middle of the ancient buildings.  There was a canopy out behind, and we enjoyed ravioli, veal, duck, and many more classic Italian dishes.  The food was amazing, and I was in heaven soaking in the Italian air and eating with some of my favorite people.

I'm sighing just thinking about these places. Can you tell I'm homesick for it?