Ciao Christy

Holiday on Ponza Island

2015-06-08T09:22:00.000+02:00

We just returned from a beautiful, but way too short, holiday on Ponza Island. My husband and I were desperate to take a break from being parents, so when my mother in Law offered to stay with the baby, we packed our bags pretty quickly!

Ponza Island is located west of Terracina (between Rome & Naples). There are regular fast boats from Terracina, or for those that want to take their cars or scooters, it is possible to take the less expensive, slow ferry boat as well. Upon arriving on the island, you enter on the port side of the island. There is a small beachfront here along a boardwalk that is filled with tourist shops, restaurants and cafes. One street over from the boardwalk is Via Nuova that runs parallel to the boardwalk where you can find some beautiful boutique stores with speciality items that are made there on the island.

To navigate around the island is best by scooter or by rental car. There are also frequent bus and taxi boat service to the other areas of the island, but we found these to be a little less exciting. We really wanted to be free from schedules so we rented a scooter for our time there. After getting settled in, we took a long ride around the island on the only major road that will take you to the nothern side of the island where there are several "Piscine Naturali", natural swimming pools. Our favorite was in Le Forna. You have a steep walk up & down the side of the cliff, along partial stairways, and partial rockways to arrive to the pools. The water and views are absolutely breathtaking once you do it though!

We found the people, service and food to be wonderful. Every meal we had was delicious and fresh from that day. For anyone that enjoys small fishing villages.....Ponza is for you. For us, the getaway was extremely theraputic because the weather was absolutely perfect. Sunny & warm during the day with cool breezes in the evening. There is a true sense of tranquility here for anyone that is looking for a taste of R&R. We went in early June, but it's our understanding that from the mid- June to mid-August the island is jam-packed with Italian tourists.

Where we stayed:

Baia Luna

Where we ate:

Museo Etnografico di Ponza

La Campanella

La Pergola

Our return to Florence

2015-05-07T14:08:00.002+02:00

Hello my fellow readers! (if there are any left out there?!) We are back in Florence. I have been putting off writing on my blog due to lack of time....but we are here. Ciao!

I am not sure where to begin with our story. As many of you know or can tell from the photos, we moved to the United States for two years. During that time we had our first precious baby named Sofia. She is almost 2 (what????), and the essence of pure joy. It's really that simple, but I will leave my un-ending love for her for another time!

There is no doubt we had a nice experience in the United States. It was our first home as newlyweds and a new family. My family is there so obviously for me it was one of the most difficult decisions I made to move my family back to Italy. We are all still working through that though and thankful for technology to see each other. Horray for Skype, Whatsapp and Viber!

What do we want in our daily life? How do we want to live day-to-day? What works for us? What makes us click as a family. The world is in chaos, No one anywhere in the world could say different, except for our yogi friends zenning out on a mountain in India (I'd really like to join them one day). But we aren't there, we are an American-Italian family, and see the best in both worlds. I've said in the past that I have a really bad habit of thinking that the grass is always greener, so I am working on it slowly. Getting out of my comfort zone, picking battles, and just letting things go has really helped. That, along with countless hours of yoga practice to clear my head space.

So, having said that. We like America, we like Italy. The things we like about each are polar opposites though. America is convenient and organized. Italy is passionate and laid back. We'd love to have it all, but we can't. So, last summer when a job presented itself here in Florence to my husband, we started talking about if we wanted to give Italy a go. To keep it simple without getting into a rant about cultural differences, we decided that we should give it a try while our daughter was little. We know what it would take for us to live in the United States the way we want to, and most importantly the way we want to raise our daughter. We have no idea how our life would be as a family living in Italy, so we decided to come back to Florence. We are both incredibly fortunate to have jobs here, so that part of the move was seemless.

We've been back for three months and day by day things are getting easier. We are getting into a steady flow of our life here and really enjoying the beautiful things Italy has to offer : cheap yummy wine, day trips to the sea, eating really healthy food and being with our friends. Our social life here rocks (even with baby in tow!), so for all of these things I am thankful.

More to come, but in the meantime definitely keep up with me on Facebook. I post there more regularly. Linky is on the right tab! Ciao!

30 Days in Italy wrap up

2014-06-21T17:43:00.001+02:00

I wanted to say Grazie to all the people who followed our photo series "30 Days in Italy". We had the best time visiting family & friends, eating, drinking, traveling, and introducing our daughter to 1/2 of her native country. I will be posting more soon on our favorite places & experiences being back in Italy as a family.

More to come, grazie tutti, ciao!!

Day 30 || Finale in Bellagio

2014-06-03T14:43:00.000+02:00

And here we are, ending our 30 Days in Italy photo blog - in the quaint town of Bellagio.
La bella vita.

Day 29 || From southern Italy to Northern Italy

2014-06-02T11:50:00.000+02:00

Our month in Terracina has come to an end, but now we have traveled North to meet with my Mother and spent a week in Lake Como. Here is the view from our beautiful apartment in Menaggio.

Day 28 || Ciao for now our beloved Terracina

2014-05-31T11:50:00.000+02:00

We had an incredible four weeks in Terracina visiting our family and closest friends! But all good things must come to an end. Ciao for now our beloved Terracina - see you for Christmas!

Day 27 || Padre Pio

2014-05-30T22:48:00.000+02:00

More religious figures throughout Italy. This time a halo-lighted-Padre Pio protects San Felice.

Day 26 || Did I mention football?

2014-05-29T23:59:00.000+02:00

I think there is a cardinal rule that you have to be cute to play football.

Day 25 || Fragole fresche

2014-05-29T14:45:00.000+02:00

I woke up to this huge bundle of strawberries sitting in the kitchen of my in-laws house.

Fresh strawberries from a farm near their house. You seriously cannot taste anything sweeter!

Day 24 || San Felice Circeo

2014-05-28T14:14:00.000+02:00

It's official. I have fallen in love with this charming little town close to Terracina.

San Felice Circeo rests upon the side of the hill above the sea.

There are quaint little shops, newly renovated houses and views to die for!

Day 23 || Caffe' Culture

2014-05-27T20:58:00.002+02:00

Before I thought football was the heart of the country, then I thought it was wine.

Now, I firmly believe to Italians it's coffee. (and perhaps cigarettes!)

Day 22 || Sofia's Italian Baptism

2014-05-25T12:50:00.000+02:00

Sofia had her Italian christening this weekend in Terracina at the beautiful Cathedral in the historic area of the city. The service was so special as the priest poured the holy water over her sweet head.

Day 21 || Saint John Paul

2014-05-24T09:13:00.000+02:00

We went back to Rome yesterday to meet a close friend and stumbled upon this incredible statue of Pope John Paul. If you go to Roma, make sure to see it standing directly outside of Termini Station.

Day 20 || From sea to table

2014-05-23T09:10:00.000+02:00

We were out taking a walk in town and an elderly woman was standing on the side of the canal selling these fish, a whole bag for only 5 Euro! Fresh fragolino mediterranio with eyes to boot!

Day 19 || Zone of Courtesy :)

2014-05-22T20:02:00.000+02:00

How delightful! Not only do I think that Italy is more baby friendly, I think generally there is more respect for pregnant women here. This adorable sign was outside a public park in San Felice which obviously made me smile. I have never seen one of these back home, except for in Babies R Us parking lots. Bravo Italy!

Day 18 || Motorino Time!

2014-05-21T11:48:00.002+02:00

What a gorgeous day we had in Terracina! Riding through the old streets and along the coast was heavenly ! Summer is approaching and there is no better, and more romantic way to get around.

Day 17 || Baba' from Napoli

2014-05-19T11:28:00.000+02:00

This might take the cake (ha! get it!!?) for the best dessert in Italy.

Baba' from Napoli are soaked in rum and filled with all the yummy goodness of cream, chocolate & fruits. I think I ate the entire plate.

Day 16 || Calcio anytime

2014-05-18T22:33:00.000+02:00

As many of you know, soccer is at the heart of the culture here in Italy.

Any age, any place, it's all the same.

Day 15 || Ciao our beloved Firenze

2014-05-17T15:06:00.000+02:00

I really cannot express properly how beautiful our visit to Florence was. We had a great time catching up with our friends, and reminiscing about about how our life began together here.

This photo was taken through the trees from Fiesole.

......Until next time.....

Day 14 || Vinaio

2014-05-16T19:53:00.000+02:00

This is still one of our favorite spots for aperitivo!

You cannot beat 2 euro glasses of wine + fresh cheeses & prosciutto

Vinaio - Via de Neri

Day 13 || La bella vista

2014-05-15T16:09:00.001+02:00

One of the things I miss the most about Florence are the beautiful views over the Arno River.

Day 12 || Pea sees Florence

2014-05-13T01:04:00.000+02:00

My precious Pea has been sick with a fever for the last couple of days.
But now, she is fever free and ready to see our beloved Florence!

Day 11 || Florence : What dreams are made of

2014-05-12T09:15:00.000+02:00

We just got to Florence and it feels so strange to be back. As we took a walk around the city, we laughed and reminisced about our life here.

When we met, when we got married, and ultimately when we got pregnant with Sofia.

Nothing has changed, but we have, so now we are seeing Florence from a completely new perspective.

Day 10 || Mother's Day on the beach

2014-05-11T00:32:00.000+02:00

I feel so lucky to have this beautiful angel in my life. Today was my first Mother's Day and we spent the afternoon on the beach with my husband. We ate strawberries, played in the sand and smelled roses.

I love you Pea, thank you for choosing me to be your Mamma.

Day 9 || Arguments & Flowers

2014-05-10T22:10:00.000+02:00

Conveniently on Via di Panico, Rome.