honeymoon part two

Annnnnddd we’re back!

Let me reorient us. We were renting a car and hightailing it out of Florence so that we could spent four lazy days lounging around Tuscany.

G L O R I O U S.

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Also, can we be clear that I did not do even one second of driving? In my defense, I have probably driven less than twenty times in my life and only once in the past six years. I know they SAY it’s like riding a bike, but somehow I don’t think relearning on tiny Italy two way streets with crazy drivers was the way to go.

So I “let” the.boy drive. I’m so nice.

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On the way from Florence to our hotel outside of Cortona in Tuscany, we stopped at the Osteria di Passignano for lunch along the way. Lauren recommended it as a MUST EAT in Italy..and she was right. Best meal we had all trip, hands down.

I mean, that bread basket alone…

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As an amuse bouche, we were served a sort of deconstructed panzanella made with basil bread. Amazing.

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I got the vegetarian platter for lunch. My favorite part was obviously the parmesan flan (top left), but the tempura veggies were a close second (top right).

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And this was the view from our hotel’s restaurant. I’m still not sure how I managed to come home after looking at this for four days straight.

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On our second day in Tuscany, we took a full day wine tour with Tuscan Magic. As it turned out, we were the only ones on the tour that day (!!) so our guide, Stefano, actually picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel..which meant we could drink as much as we wanted without having to worry about driving!

WIN.

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Our tour started off in Montepulciano, were we went to a local wine and cheese shop where they made wine in the basement. There were also (not pictured) torture devices in the basement, as it used to be a dungeon of sorts. Classy.

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Next up, Pienza! Supposedly, this was designed to be the perfect town.

The fact that it also has so much good cheese is just coincidence.

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We had to.

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Stefano was a great tour guide and was totally cool with stopping in the middle of the road along the way so we could hop out and take some pictures. This scenery was the most gorgeous I have ever ever ever seen. There is nowhere else like it.

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Our last stop was at a winery in Montalcino. I have to admit, I was not very much of a wine drinker before we went to Italy..but I am now! It’s all just so good there, it’s hard not to be. And the wine there is cheaper than water.

Not kidding.

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The next morning, the.boy and I headed out bright and early for a lunch at a pretty famous winery in Montalcino – Castello Banfi!

Drinking before noon is required when you’re on vacation.

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This was another truly amazing meal. We had a five course lunch that started with some heavenly fried crepes…

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…and ended with this lovely chocolate semifreddo. Man, I just love plated desserts. They just make me so happy!

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From Tuscany, we headed to…..ROME.

I really loved almost every second in Rome. SO.MUCH.HISTORY. I think I was awestruck almost the entire time.

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On our first full day, we went on a tour of the ancient fora, which included the Coliseum. It was an absurdly hot day (high 90s), but even in the heat, we were so captivated. Apparently in Rome, anytime anyone wants to build a new building, they have to first hire an archaeologist because as they’re digging they will almost certainly find some ancient ruins underneath the building’s current architecture. How crazy is that?!

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Unfortunately, the Trevi Fountain was being renovated, so I had to throw a coin in the Trevi “kiddie pool” instead.

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On the recommendation of one of my twitter followers, we ended up having dinner one night at a restaurant that had a woman rolling pasta RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. Nothing short of amazing. And delicious.

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Technically you’re not supposed to take pictures of the Sistine Chapel…but the.boy did anyway. (Don’t tell.)

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Our last night in Rome ended with a food tour of the Trastevere region, which is known for its restaurants and various food shops. I would highly recommend this tour, hosted by Eating Italy. We happened to have a really great group for the tour that night, which I’m sure added to the fun, but our tour guide was interesting and everything we ate – from burrata to freshly made cookies to porchetta (the.boy ate it) to freshly made pasta to gelato – was fabulous. Definitely the perfect end to our trip!

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58 Responses to Wednesday Coffee Talk – Honeymoon Part Two

  1. What beautiful photos and all that cheese is making me hungry!
    We have photos inside the sistine chapel too. Shhhh lol

  2. It’s the perfect honeymoon, and you two are ADORABLE!!!! Gorgeous pictures, but not as gorgeous as you. Welcome home, lovebirds!

  3. Erica says:

    Holy amazing this trip looks fantastic!! And you look like you had such a fantastic time with all those smiles 🙂 Love it!

  4. Tina says:

    That photo of You two kissing has to be framed! It captures so much of the romance of where you are and its so darn cute and sexy all at once! Seriously I love ALL the photos and thank you for sharing your amazing trip with us.
    Welcome home!

  5. This looks like an amazing trip and a wonderful experience! All the food photos look quite tasty, too (love all those cheese wheels).

  6. Beth says:

    What a fabulous trip you had! The food looks great, the scenery is gorgeous, and the pictures of you and the.boy are so cute. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Oh my goodness, your honeymoon looks absolutely PERFECT, Joanne! With all that awesome food really, how could it not be??

  8. Officially jealous.
    Next time I’m going with you guys! 😉

  9. bellini says:

    Such an amazing honeymoon Joanne. A dream or two come true <3

  10. I’m with you. . if you don’t drive much, you don’t want to be driving in another country!!! Florence, Tuscany, it’s all gorgeous!!! AND THE FOOD! oh my gawd, I will just sit and stare at this fabulous food all day . . so happy for you guys that you had such a magical and memorable honeymoon!!!! so happy for you, Joanne! and you two are the cutest!

  11. haha, you look so cute holding those wine glasses! I’m so freaking jealous of your trip! You guys totally lived it up!!

  12. Ah I’m so glad you made it there! And yes, seriously jealous:-) Looks like every bit of your honeymoon was amazing!!

  13. What a fun packed trip!! That is it. On my honeymoon, I am sooo going Italy!!

  14. Perfect honeymoon! You did it right! Thanks for sharing all the photos!
    xo Anna and Liz

  15. cheri says:

    Hi Joanne, looks like your honeymoon was a dream, the food, the scenery, everything.

  16. I am so glad you had fun. Not only is the wine as cheap as water but they consume it like water. After our trip there we do too now. Haha

  17. Johanna GGG says:

    oh you two look happy – and no wonder with all those wonderful sights and food – though I didn’t see one picture of gelato!!!!! Oh maybe there was some on your dessert platter! now I want to go to rome – an amazing city but so overwhelming!

  18. Susan says:

    What an amazing trip you had! Glorious photos and the kiss, ahh! Wine and good food in Italy – how romantic can you get? Not much, me thinks. Oh gosh, that plate of pappardelle!

  19. You two are adorable, and this definitely looks like an absolutely amazing trip!! So happy for you.

  20. Heather says:

    WOW. It looks like you guys had such an amazing trip! I love seeing the pictures and you guys look so happy!

  21. Monica says:

    Letting out a great big happy sigh for you right now. What an amazing trip! Great pics..love that last one.

  22. SallyBR says:

    That is what I call a PERFECT honeymoon!

    thrilled for you!

    I was in Rome for only one day, all by myself – unforgettable!

  23. Susan says:

    Sigh. . . I miss Italy. Just this morning my husband goes out of nowhere, I miss Rome. I mean, who wouldn’t? The food, the history, the fact that walking down a random street there are ruins everywhere! Looks like you had an amazing time on your trip! Plus I love the folks at Eating Italy. I took that tour too and spent a little time with the owner after our tour.

  24. Just incredible. Why did you come home, again? Oh wait…the job and bills, right? Sigh. Also? I love your hair in a bun. Also, also? You’ve driven less than twenty times in your life and only once in the past six years??? I read that sentence several times because I just couldn’t believe it!

  25. My mom also took illegal pictures and pretended she had no idea when she was scolded. I’m going to guess that basically everyone takes pictures 😉

  26. Lynn says:

    A trip you’ll never forget! How lovely – I enjoyed this lunchtime break, reading about it and viewing the photos. Tuscany reminds me a little of northern California (another nice area with lots of vineyards.)

  27. What an amazing and delicious trip! I probably never would have left that hotel in Tuscany, ever.

  28. Damn girl, now I see why you waited to go on the Honeymoon! You had this planned perfectly! OMG! I want to be there RIGHT NOW!

  29. Jan C. says:

    What a great honeymoon and looks like the perfect trip!!

  30. I’m all for letting my husband drive. It’s best when he thinks I’m doing him a favour, although I think by now he kind of knows I’m not 😛

    The views in your pictures are amazing!

  31. So many gorgeous pictures and OMG the cheese!

  32. Pam says:

    Seriously amazing adventure! Once in a lifetime trip!!!

  33. Thank you for sharing – Joanne – you both look so happy – what a lovely honeymoon and such great experiences – thank you again.

  34. Rebecca says:

    Looks like such a special trip! Thank you so much for visiting Castello Banfi – cheers!

  35. I am so happy for you! What a perfect honeymoon! Food, wine, art and romance! I think I need a second one!

  36. Bread baskets, fried crepes, tagliatelle???? Yum, gal! It sounds like it was a really lovely trip! Also, the views are absolutely breathtaking! Glad you enjoyed! xxx

  37. Stunning pictures and amazing trip!! delicious food.. And the bread basket.. yumm!!

  38. Julie says:

    Joanne – I am a follower, have been for some time. Since before you met “the boy”. Your trip sounds so sensational. It’s my dream trip and one I am planning for 2017. I’d love to ask a few questions, if you don’t mind, I will email and ask them?? No big rush to answer, just as you have time. Love all the photos, makes me wish I was going sooner!! But the planning, for me, is 1/2 the fun. Well…maybe not 1/2.

  39. Awwwwwwwww, sniff sniff. You guys are so cute! What an incredible honeymoon! Tuscany is on the very top of my bucket list!!! Maybe for our 20th anniversary! 😉 Love all of your gorgeous photos!!! I shall live vicariously through them for now!

  40. Hotly Spiced says:

    What a honeymoon! I would love to know who took the ‘kiss’ photo! The scenery shots of Tuscany are just gorgeous. And then there’s the awe-inspiring history photos from Rome. Love the shot from inside the Sistine Chapel! And then we get to the food – just sensational. You certainly picked the best destination for your honeymoon; you’ll remember this for forever xx

  41. P says:

    Parmesan flan! That sounds amazing…it’s also pretty cool that there were plenty of unique vegetarian options!

  42. Sarah says:

    Omg omg omg you two are SO stinking cute! Favorite pics are the ones of you at the winery- that top is adorable! Looks like you had an amazing time and some fabulous food while you were there 🙂

  43. Kate says:

    God I want to visit Rome!

  44. Driving in Italy is not for the faint hearted. The trip around Tuscany must have been awesome 🙂

  45. Kelly says:

    Aaw yay! You guys are absolutely adorable 🙂 The tours you took sounded awesome and so much fun! I loved all these photos – so glad you had such an amazing honeymoon!

  46. You guys are adorable. It’s so sunny and gorgeous and yes isn’t Tuscany just heavenly. I will be in New York next week. Hope it is sunny and gorgeous there too.

  47. Zainab says:

    You guys are too cute!!! Your honeymoon just looks like a dream. Also all your outfits and tops = love!! And that orange cross body purse…share details girl!!

  48. Christina says:

    O my goodness, this made me miss Italy so much! Looks like such a wonderful trip. Can I eat everything above?!

  49. Loved reading both parts. Gelato … fireworks … the scenery. I lived vicariously through you. Oh, and I don’t know how to drive at all, so …

  50. Christine says:

    What a fabulous honeymoon! Made me miss Italy terribly. 🙁 Glad you enjoyed Tuscany it was my favorite part. You had some beautiful weather too. And you make a great couple! Loved the pics.

  51. Reeni says:

    That woman making pasta! LOVE. Exactly how I imagine Italy to be. It looks like you made the most of every moment there! I enjoyed seeing it through your eyes and all your cutie pie pictures too.

  52. Kathleen says:

    OMG! Enchantment!

  53. Beautifulllllll! I love Italy so much and I want to go back. I still have yet to go on my first honeymoon, but I’ve been nudging B for Europe hehe (he wants Hawaii and the Caribbean beaches)

  54. Oh my God…between the cheese and the fresh pasta, and the sights and the fact that you and the.boy are pretty much the cutest couple ever…there is so much to love about this post! <3

  55. Wow, I could read this post over and over and OVER again! I’d never tire of any of it. Love, love, no I ADORE Italy. Glad you loved Rome, my hubz and I just loved every single second and old ‘anything’ about it . . . oh and the food! The pastries. It’s all to die for! Now you have to go back!!!!!

  56. All the food you had looks so so good. Isn’t the scenery in Tuscany so gorgeous?! It’s like it’s taken straight out of a painting…

  57. elly says:

    Your Rome pics are making me miss it so much! I really need to plan a European vacation…

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