Exploring Italy: A week of fun, food, and friendship

Hey there! Let me take you on a little journey through my recent summer trip to Italy with friends. After visiting family in England, we headed to the beautiful countryside of Italy, where pasta and gelato awaited us at every turn. Spoiler alert: it was an adventure filled with fun, laughter, and breathtaking views! 🌍✨

Settling into our Italian escape

We found this gorgeous pair of stone houses just outside Montepulciano, owned by the loveliest family. Can you even imagine it? A stunning pool, six cozy bedrooms, and vibrant lavender bushes buzzing with bees—total paradise! 🌸🐝

The crew consisted of five kids and seven adults, including my dear friend Sharon. Now, let’s keep it real—the first night of any group trip can feel a bit nerve-wracking. Will the kids play well together? Will the adults hit it off? Or will we end up in an awkward silence vortex? 😅 Luckily, everyone clicked right away, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Mornings were all about chilling out with cereal, coffee, and some good reads. There was that one epic moment when our friend Sean figured out the video game system, and the kids just lit up! It’s the little things, right? 😂

In the afternoons, we found ourselves splashing in the pool or playing card games. We especially loved a good game of Cheat! Who else is a fan of card games? 🎴

Food adventures and local delights

Exploration was a big part of our trip. Each region in Italy has its own culinary specialties, and we were determined to try them all. One day, the boys and I took a little excursion to Pienza, which is famous for its pecorino cheese. We enjoyed crostini topped with sharp, nutty aged cheese, and a lovely arugula salad featuring milder young pecorino. Seriously, the flavors! 😋

But wait, let’s talk about the highlight meal: ravioli drenched in butter and sage. Sometimes, the simplest dishes are the most divine, don’t you think?

As for packing, I kept it super simple: a stack of lightweight button-downs and a bunch of jean shorts. Mix-and-match magic! And let’s not forget my favorite blue shirt that I wore on repeat! 💙

Charming evenings and breathtaking views

One evening, a couple of us sneakily ventured off to the Podere Ciona winery in the Chianti region. The drive through the Val d’Orcia was like stepping into a painting, with rolling hills and sunflower fields everywhere. I couldn’t stop exclaiming, “Oh my gosh, look at that view!” It was truly surreal. 🌻

At the winery, run by Lorenzo and Jennifer, we tasted exquisite wines paired with frittata, grapes, and cheese. The scenery was absolutely stunning, making it a perfect setting for our little escape.

Evenings back at our place were full of laughter—whether we were playing Rummikub, watching movies, or just soaking up the relaxed vibe. It was the perfect way to end our days together.

As our trip came to a close, we spent our last night at a hotel near the Rome airport. I had considered just booking an airport hotel, but I’m so glad we opted for a final adventure instead. Our hotel was comfy (minus the food, which was a bit disappointing), and it was up the hill from a charming beach club teeming with Italian families. I loved seeing women of all shapes and sizes rocking their string bikinis. It was such a vibe! 🌊

And those friends playing cards on the beach? My heart melted. Can you imagine us doing that in 25 years? ❤️

Thank you, Italy, for a week full of beautiful memories! Of course, there were hiccups—sibling squabbles, mosquito bites, and even a stomach bug from England—but honestly, it was all worth it a million times over. We love you, Italy! 🇮🇹

P.S. Let’s chat about family vacation ideas sometime. What’s your top tip for enjoying family travel? 👀💬