Italy In Photos

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Beauty. History. Wine. Laughter. More laughter. Pasta. Old friends. New friends. Sunsets. Olives. Breezes. More wine. More laughter. And lots and lots of walking.

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Where to even begin?

So many good memories made over the last two weeks.

Here's some of my favorites:

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Riding bikes on top of the wall around the city of Lucca.

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Visiting the Leaning Tower in Pisa.

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I want to remember the people. A seriously wonderful group of people – about 40 total (including three husbands + Jim and Paolo). Some I traveled with to Greece last year and others who are new friends that now have a very special place in my heart. And of course it’s always awesome to spend time with Paolo. We’ve been friends since high school (going on 22 years now) and he is a really great travel companion.

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Walking through the narrow streets of San Gimignano.

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Lots of looking up.

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And lots of looking out.

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And seeing things through doorways and arches.

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We visited two different wineries. Both were excellent in terms of food and wine and hospitality.

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I want to remember the laughter. There was so much laughing on this trip. I don’t think there was a single bus ride without a bunch of people laughing at various times. It was a combination of Jim’s entertaining skills and the silliness that ensued within the group as the trip progressed.

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Riding up the hill to Montecatini Alto on a funicular.

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Always lots of talk about taking photos and lots of photo-taking action.

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Just awesome.

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We spent one day in Sienna.

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I could eat pizza everyday - I think I just about did. I'm also a really big caprese salad fan.

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It was less crowded than the last time I was there. That piazza is amazing anytime.

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We spent a lot of time on the bus. Good times. A majority of the laughter seemed to occur on this bus. I love these people.

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Riding the funicular with the Stahl sisters.

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At the second winery we had a cooking demonstration and got to learn how to make pasta.

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I want to remember the simplicity of making handmade pasta. We learned such a simple process using flour and an egg. I’m excited to try it out at home.

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One day was spent at one of my favorite places the Cinque Terre. We visited Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

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This was one of my most favorite spots when we visited as a family last summer. It came at the end of our trip and it was so awesome to arrive there and just hang out on the beach.

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This time I loved that I was able to see two other towns. Each one is so unique.

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Our last day in Tuscany was spent in Florence.

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I loved the contrast between the two churches above - the ornate and the simple.

Florence Instax

I took about 90 Instax shots on this trip. Love them. Super fun to have others on the trip bring theirs along too. Lots of chatting about this fun image maker.

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And then we headed off to Rome.

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The Colosseum and part of the Forum in the background.

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St. Paul's Outside The Walls - one of my favorite churches.

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The weather was just right the whole time we were there. Very mild. Loved seeing evidence of fall.

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St. Peter's

St. Peter's.

St. Paul "outside the walls" in Rome

St. Paul's.

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More Instax play.

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And then there was the cappuccino. Yum. To be honest I never really knew that I liked it.

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I definitely know now!

Saw this advertisement in the airport in Rome and loved the design.

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All in all a really fantastic trip with wonderful people who I miss after spending two weeks together. Big thanks to Jim West for being himself and for inviting me to come along.


Looking for an international adventure with other people who love memory keeping? Next fall (late September) I'll be traveling with Scrapmap and Karen Russell to Ireland for a photo and scrapbooking tour. More details to come soon.

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107 thoughts

  1. rhonda says…
    10/19/2011

    Stunningly beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing these with us Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Lya Lin says…
    10/19/2011

    Ali, thanks for sharing these breath taking images. Just Lovely! I'm curious about your next year's adventure and who knows, maybe I can join you! I'm a believer!

    Warm hug,
    Lya Lin

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Anya says…
    10/19/2011

    Wow... simply stunning photos... I wish I was there... so wish!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Michelle says…
    10/19/2011

    What gorgeous photos!!! Such an amazing place. Never traveled anywhere much. Would love to though. A trip to Ireland and with Karen Russell! I have always wanted to go to Ireland (my mother's side is mostly Irish-from County Cork), and Karen's photography is amazing! You will have a fun time!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jeannie L says…
    10/19/2011

    Absolutely love your photos... Hope to travel to Italy some day. It's been my wish for years! How fun it must have been to go on a photography trip.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Monica says…
    10/19/2011

    Wow! Looks like it was lots of fun!!! I wish I was able to go with you and share this wonderful experience. Never been to Italy but love it!!! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. jennifer says…
    10/19/2011

    awesome pictures; looks like it was an absolutely fabulous time. you must miss the kids like crazy?!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Suz says…
    10/19/2011

    Absolutely gorgeous pics Ali! Can't wait to see you scrapbook some of them. Stunning!
    Glad you had a wonderful time. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. sarah says…
    10/19/2011

    your simple words and beautiful photos told quite a story of your trip. what a fabulous adventure!

    i'm currently plotting how i can budge for ireland in 2012. it's a country i've always wanted to visit, and with you AND karen teaching? sounds like something i wouldn't want to miss. i'll have to keep watching that website for the details to be announced.

    welcome home :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Melissa says…
    10/19/2011

    May I ask, was this trip part of a pre-arranged "Photo Safari" type trip that you took with a group? Did you know the members of the group before you went on the trip, or did you meet them all once you arrived in Italy? Were they all from America, or from all over the world? And may I ask you how much a trip like this costs (if you don't feel comfortable revealing this information, I understand). This is something I've ALWAYS wanted to do, but I am a BIG FAT CHICKEN when it comes to traveling abroad by myself (because if I did an international photo-safari-type trip, hubby would probably be staying home). Thanks for letting me ask! The photos, as usual, are simply brilliant. THANK YOU so much for sharing them with us!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      10/20/2011

      Hi Melissa - this was a tour through a company called Scrapmap: http://scrapmap.com/. They do a variety of different tours that include scrapbooking/photography/journaling emphasis. On this trip I taught two classes to the group. I knew some of the people in advance through the internet and from a trip I did with them to Greece last year. The cost was around $3000+ if I remember right (included airfare, hotel, some meals, etc) for the Tuscany portion and then there was an additional cost to go on to Rome for a couple of days. About half the group was from America and the others were from Canada, South Africa, and England (I might be missing another country too). There were about 40 people on this trip. There were quite a few people who came with friends (and three husbands too) but also quite a few who came along "solo" and became part of the larger group.

  11. sophie says…
    10/19/2011

    truly beautiful pictures, Ali! looks like an incredible adventure.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Evelyn says…
    10/19/2011

    Thanks Ali! What a great trip and I am so glad I met you. I love the caprese salad too and I ate it several days. Your pictures are fanatastic.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Anna Aspnes says…
    10/20/2011

    Lovely Ali. Some familiar shots. Must catch up some time :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Erica Hettwer says…
    10/20/2011

    Gorgeous pics! My neice is in Italy right now with another aunt for her senior trip. I hope she has half as much fun as you appeared to have had. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Lise says…
    10/20/2011

    Ali,
    Your pictures are just stunning. They remind me of our trip to Italy. Cinque Terre was my absolute favourite. I left my kids when they were 4 months old to go on a trip. It was a bit early to leave them but I certainly don`t regret doing it. I totally agree with what you said about travel and how doing something so enriching and inspirational for yourself. You have truly inspired me at Creative Escape and it certainly was an experience that was worth remembering! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Sarah B R says…
    10/20/2011

    Love Italy. Used to go every year. Haven't in 2 since baby was born. Hubby is going alone this year :-(
    I have a photo in the piazza of Venice with only hubby and Me. It was very early (thank you jet lag!)
    Next time try to visit Chiavari, 45 min away from cinque terre with train. The food there was amazing but very different. Try farinata, white lasagna and baked pear yum! buonissimo :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Anthea says…
    10/20/2011

    Thanks for the vicarious tour Ali, one day I will go.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Louise Fortune says…
    10/20/2011

    Wonderful photos of your trip, will the trip to Ireland involve a hop across the pond to the UK ?

    I just pinned that type image you posted from the airport in Rome hope you don't mind.

    Louise

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Jeni says…
    10/20/2011

    Beautiful pictures. I wish we could all go back!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Nancy G. says…
    10/20/2011

    Loved seeing your photos. Even though I was there for 2 weeks this summer, your photos show there is so much more to see. Travel is so beneficial to the soul.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Cris says…
    10/20/2011

    Love from Italy :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Joy Taylor says…
    10/20/2011

    What a truly magical trip that you have had, so many wonderful places and obviously spent with some truly beautiful people...thank you for sharing this with us..hugs

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Sharon Dryjanski says…
    10/20/2011

    Ali ,
    totally phenomon photos...looks like fun i wish I was there you have given me inspiration again...love Italy and London the best....Are you planning another cruise class like that for next year? what great memories....hugs blessings

    Sharon dryjanski Phoenix AZ missed you while you where gone....

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      10/20/2011

      I'll be going to Ireland with Scrapmap next fall. It's not a cruise though - it will just be on land.

  24. borcherding says…
    10/20/2011

    A-M-A-Z-I-N-G....some day, I want to take an adventure like that!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Jolynn says…
    10/20/2011

    The pictures are amazing and looks like you had loads of fun. I bet Ireland will be beautiful as well.

    Reply 0 Replies

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