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Thursday
Oct092008
We will be off to the land of...
...pasta, bread, gelato, Galileo, Michelangelo, and naked statues. Ciao, Italia!
Why, you ask?
~ when G started his new job this year, we decided to set aside the signing bonus for a family trip because...
~ when we first got married we decided to try to value experiences over things. To love the old clunker cars but make memories. Plus...
~ we feel the clock ticking as Lauren has only two and a half more years of high school until she leaves for college. There's so much we want to still do as a family (before everyone splinters off to their own lives) so we decided to do our best to tackle one or two items on the list.
~ G's company closes during Christmas week. Perfect time for travel but...
~ it was too expensive to fly somewhere warm and beachy...airline tickets alone would have eaten up the entire travel budget. Thankfully...
~ a few months ago we found a great deal on flights to Italy, leaving on Christmas Day (cheaper even than flying to Florida) so we booked them, which was thrilling because...
~ we've always wanted to go to Italy. Part adventure, part culture, part eating extravaganza, part history lesson. To top it all off...
~ we invited my parents to come along if they wanted. They wanted. Three cheers for a three generation trip to Florence and Venice.
It's going to be chilly, not that warm, basking holiday we were originally thinking about. And the economy's current condition (and the weak dollar abroad) means we'll have to be very careful. But...we're doing it. Gulp. Decision's made and we're embracing it.
Thank you for all the guesses. I had a grand time imagining going to each and every one of them. In fact, I think the people have spoken and now we HAVE to go to Prague, Aruba, British Virgin Islands, England (twice), Scotland, Ireland, Denmark (several times), Mexica, Guatemala, Holland, France, and Cyprus. How many times do you think G can change jobs and get a signing bonus????
Liz, you nailed it! Email me your address and keep an eye on your mailbox.
*Italy pictures via Flickr.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Reader Comments (16)
I am utterly jealous! Italy! {I love Rome.} It is such a great place. And the dollar has been climbing against the Euro a little bit, so maybe you won't have to pinch too tightly!
i love italy. honestly. we took a vacation there one summer much like you're doing now. even though i was in teenage angst and fought with my mother the ENTIRE TIME, i still secretly loved where we were and enjoyed everything about the culture.
of course i would never have admitted that to the fam. what a brat.
can't wait to see all your awesome pictures.
What a great idea! I love that you're embracing the memory making and just doing it. Find all the good places to eat, shop, and see and we'll go with you in a few years. Deal?
oh so jealous... my husband served in italy and we are dying to go together. with the new temple announced in rome, we've made it a new goal to save to make a trip. that's motivation enough for me to scrimp a little here and there! have so much fun... and eat sooo much food. (it's worth it!)
I love Italy. The Amalfi coast, Rome and Venice is a jewel box. Save enough to buy a handbag.
What a great adventure you have to look forward to.
Oh Wow!! I had better not tell Tim. He is desperate to go to Italy. He does evening classes and is learning Italian. It's lovely your parents will be with you. You will treasure those holiday memories for ever. I can't wait to hear all about it.
Lindsay
Fabulissimo! Be sure to budget a LOT of money for gelato!
I completely agree with spending money on experiences. We've been saving to take the kids to the old country for seven years now and hopefully next June we will be there.
I too, can't believe how little time I have left with my oldest. Next summer is most likely his last one at home. SOB!
Oh!!!! Italy is my FAVORITE. Venice is absolutely breathtaking and Florence with the Uffizi...oh! You're going to love it. Eat lots of pasta for me.
How fun! I am always impressed with you and your family. I always think, "one day I'll grow up and be like Annie"...
Jen
Hoorah for you annie! Have a fabulous time. And I can't imagine the cold will be too bad--last time I was in Italy (a long long time ago) it was July/August and so hot you could hardly walk a 10 feet without stopping to rest. Bundle up and please, please, still eat the gelato, even if it's cold, just have some hot cocoa after (if you can find it) or head straight for the espresso and TELL the kids it's fancy Italian hot chocolate. :)
YAHOO!!! I just picked the place where I would want to be going and I figured you for an Italy girl. Art, food, history...I love all that stuff too. You guys are going to have the best time! I am so excited to get my goodies! Thanks!
Have a fabulous time! Nathan and I went to Italy a few years ago. Loved it. It was the two of us only adn we spent a lot of time talking about how fun it will be to bring the kids someday when they are a little older. Good for you for doing it!!
I've never been and am dying of envy. Good for you. Memories are WAY better than stuff.
Except Italian stuff.
oh so cool! since my hubby just got back from venice i may have a few pointers to share--stay outside of venice (much cheaper...still close), and don't plan more than 2 days there (I was surprized at that, but he said it's very small and was bogged with tourists...you probably won't have that problem in december though.) oh enjoy it! SO happy for you!
Wow. How fun! I can't wait to see pics and read what you enjoyed most, etc. So jealous!!