Bella Italy

It's Sunday, the first day of August! Oh, time flies...
Today we woke up to glorious sunshine after a few days of absolutely uncommon rain storms which send cold weather into a classic summer region...
But we did not bother and visited small towns nearby, all filled with historic treasures and plenty of things to do even when it rained!
On of them is Anghiari, just 6 miles away from Sansepolcro. Its a hill top town, high above the valley and so old, that stone age artifacts are proof for the desired location...The Etruscans have settled here and from then on various people have fought over and lived in this strategic important town. Today its a peaceful and well loved destination, filled with ancient houses, all sitting on top of each other, wedged between a 100 meter high wall and the hill behind.
The views are incredible!









Life in Italian towns differs quite a lot from what we are used to in America or other places in Europe for that matter. The day begins slowly and there is a very long siesta. That means the shops and museums are all closed between 1 and 4PM, a circumstance we had to get used to. After late mornings we were ready to stroll through the town to sight see or shop...Now we know better and the places all come to live after 4PM, going strong until midnight and beyond. The Italians have the lovely habit of walking the piazzas and narrow streets, chatting with friends and neighbors, sitting with large families around small cafe tables and generally enjoying themselves.
We adjusted fast and now walk nightly and come home after midnight...Something especially our teenage kids look forward to tremendiously.

We have expirienced so much already, cultural, historically, different landscapes and many encounters with wildlife. I have not seen so many rarely seen animals upclose before. The house sits quite far out, alone in the montains and we've seen deers and birds of all sorts, the occasional scorpion - small ones who are not dangerous to humans - but nevertheless fearfull to look at. Small lizzards have the run of the walls and stones outside. There are loads of large bugs and we live peacefully next to each other! Much buzzing around the lavender bushes!


We have rescued a fruitbat who accidentally came into the living room and a bird who flew into the hallway.
It is all wonderful!


I am thinking of you all and thank you for following me along on our journey, it is such fun and we recover from month of work and school and soak up a wonderfully different culture!

Take care, much love!


XX
Victoria


All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Simple pleasures

We have arrived! Is it possible to feel utterly content after only three days in this heavenly place? We are quite far out in the mountains, which rise to about 650 meter above sea level, high enough to grant us eagle views and cold nights, where a fire is a wonderful addition to our comfort!
The house promised a lot by just seeing the pictures online, but the reality is completly and disarmingly breathtaking, charming and relaxing.


The kitchen is a Italian country side dream, large and perfectly suited to have many people around the enormous farm house table.


There is a cozy sitting room to read, sit by a large stone fire place or gaze out through French doors into the most wondrous view into valleys and mountain ranges, a music room witha piano and ballroom qualities. Plenty of bedrooms guaranty that all parties have a chance to retreat, take naps or read quietly.
All is furnished in a simple, but stylish and comfortable way, country antiques, most comfortable beds and sofas, original stone floors, huge fireplaces and wonderful views all around. The rooms have old, handcut wooden beams and thick walls to keep the heat out. There are of course all the modern ammenities, from wireless network to modern appliances in kitchen and bathrooms, solar powered hot water and pool. We felt immidiatly at home and the children had no need to fight over the better bedroom...


We are about 20 minutes by car away from town, reached by an alpine road with many curves and breathtaking vistas, small hamlets sit in these mountains, often hidden from view and not that easy accessible. The most romantic places can be found and Sansepolcro has all a traveller seeking Italian architecture, history and landscape
could wish for. The food is delicious, small wine shops sell, apart from wine the most delicious home made cheeses. There are markets in tiny towns, filled with abundance of fruits and vegetables this lovely land has to offer. Peaches and pears, grapes and plumes are ripe now, next to lettuce, squash and tomatos. The area is also known for its original brioches and we indulge shamelessly!


We are so grateful for this place, where we reconnect with each other, our families and just enjoy the simple pleasures of live: walking, reading and dreaming, talking, cooking and eating together. Sitting by the pool and see all children diving, splashing and sunbathing, picking lavender for the bedroms or chasing lizzards around the house gives me such a satisfied and absolutely happy feeling.

There is a natural simplicity to life here! We are here!


XX
Victoria


PS: I have had trouble uploading pictures today, so there are only a few today, I'll try tomorrow again! (Nothing is perfect... :))




Pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Through the mountains

Having left Munich only two days ago, it seems already weeks behind us. We visited dear friends, enjoyed a great summer night in their garden, where our children reconnected and we grown-ups drank to friendship and life...
But we had to say good bye and hope soon to see each other again. There is simply not enough time...Thank you for everything!!!

Driving through the Alps along the Achensee, Germany into Austria and then fast into Italy was a feast for the eyes! We climbed up and up, the mountains rising with us!






It took us about 4 hours of driving time to reach Venice at around six o'clock.
We were a bit tired, but the sights of the great city revived us quite fast! The children could not believe the gorgeous views, bridges and pallazzos! And even I have ben there before many years ago, I felt like a child again, seeing the places with new eyes.Venice seems to keep a secret and I do not want to discover it, I just walk and walk, looking at the old buildings, being captivated by history and sheer magic!






Some architectural highlights:









These pictures are just a tiny selection, before any editing, truly touristic snapshots, I will do a little work when I am back and show you a lot more of the glorious details I can't resist anywhere!

It is still a little hectic, travelling from place to place and I am so looking forward to finally arriving in Sanseplolcro and to put down tiny roots and feel at home in the hills of Tuscany! And meeting my lovely in-laws and of course the boys & girlfriend...

I hope you are all well, thinking of you and wish you have a great summer of your own!


XX
Victoria

German ways

Arrival at Farnkfurt

Our first week almost behind us it has brought family reunions, celebration of my parents 50th wedding anniversary and a landscape which is summer warm and absolutely wonderful.

Volkach on Main

It was wonderful to be reunited with my second oldest son, my parents, sisters and all their families! We talked and laughed together until the sun came up in the morning...



Hotel Four Seasons, Volkach

Brothers reunited...

Me and my sisters...


The region of Franconia in northern Bavaria filled with vineyards and soft rolling hills along the Main river! The food is excellent and the wine even better!




We visited Wuerzburg, the next big city and attractive university town with a most impressive former prince bishop residence.




Horsebackriding in the country side...



Today we left the area to drive towards Munich to visit old friends and here we are now, me just now squeezing a few minutes to tell a little about it!
Via a small thermal bath town south of Munich, where we spend one day, we will go on route to Italy!

So, dear readers, I will report back in a few days, when we reach Venice...


XX
Victoria




All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Sansepolcro

Our foothold in Italy is a wonderful farmhouse in Sansepolcro, a little up in the mountains, overlooking the Tiber valley and only one hour by car east of Florence.






Internet search made it possible and we are so excited about the location. It's sumptuous wine country, hiking country and the cultural cradle of all things beautiful Italian.
We had entertained the idea of going to Italy for a couple of years now, but this time we feel our younger children will be able to truly absorb some new impressions and do not only rely on playgrounds and swimming pools! Touring will be possible and some memories will hopefully be brought back to last a lifetime.

We have a wonderful itinerary, my list to visit places is long, beginning with Florence, its museums and surroundings, Pisa, a visit to Rome and many local explorations. Sansepolcro is the birth place of Piero della Francesca, who's murals and painting are still to be seen in Sansepolcro. I am so inspired by the Italian renaissance and architectural greatness!

Italy has always in my mind been the place for La dolce Vita, a place to receive beauty and to find peace in wonderful landscapes. I will try to do this too, to leave the needs behind and just let the simple life be my guide. Local foods, walks in the mountains, cooking with my darling mother in law and just being with all my children will give me more then I could ask for!
Perhaps some painting will be done and sketches of the landscapes...Photography is my passion, so many pictures will come back with me.

Just let us all be safe, sound, healthy and return home full of energy for a new school and work year ahead!

Wishing you all the most delightful summer!


XX
Victoria


Pictures from the vacation website.

Service announcement

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Dearest readers!

As of mid next week we will be travelling throughout Europe and I planning on keeping a blog travel journal. Hopefully I will be able to post once per week to keep you somewhat updated and show you lovely things I come across while visiting Germany and Italy! Yesterday I introduced you a little to our first itinerary in Germany, since these smaller towns are perhaps not so well known.
I will comment less or not at all during these weeks, but I will read my favorites with my morning cafe latte!!!


This is an exiting trip, since it combines family reunions, sightseeing tours and places we want to show our children for the first time. We will relax and hang out with all 4 children, grandparents too and I will learn to cook some authentic Italian dishes! In bella Italia... in that kitchen!!!!


Just imagine....


And don't forget, live every moment and create memories! A happy weekend to you all!


XX
Victoria



Images as indicated and google images.