I spent several months in Italy this year. There was lots of work to do in the garden at Casa Debbio and the renovation of our little balcony at the apartment in Ponte a Serraglio.
This took up quite a lot of my time and we didn’t do as much travelling in Italy as we would have liked, but we did manage a few trips.
There were a few stand out destinations.
The Chianti area of Tuscany always calls us and we love to drive through the beautiful hills. We went in spring and drove along our favourite road near Siena.
Spello was a delightful discovery. It is a beautiful pink hilltop town in Umbria. It is quite small, but has an excellent collection of lovely buildings, sophisticated shops and restaurants.
I returned to Spello again for the Infioriata when the streets are decorated with gorgeous floral murals which only last one day.
Massa Marittima was a delightful surprise. It is not really on the tourist trail, but was recommended by a friend. It is southern Tuscany in the Maremma region and is a very interesting ancient town with magnificent buildings, a lovely park and some great views over the surrounding countryside. We will definitely return one day soon.
We stayed in a stunning hotel at Punta Ala on the Maremma coast. It really is one of the loveliest places I have visited. The garden inspired me to rush back to Casa Debbio to do more work.
I was very lucky to be invited to Rome to stay at the amazing Baglioni Hotel in the Via Veneto. I joined a group of bloggers and we were taken on the Great Beauty tour of Rome, following in the footsteps of the main character of the movie.
A trip to Venice is always wonderful. We had 5 glorious days there discovering and rediscovering the delights of this watery city.
Later in the year I visited Sant’Anna di Stazzema, the site of a horrific massacre in WWII. There is a tragic, but excellent museum that should be visited to remind us of the dreadful things that happen in war.
2015 is not far away and I will return to Italy soon to continue with the garden. There will be a bit more time next year to seek out new adventures.
Merry Christmas Deb. hope you had a good one.
By: Jan Fabretti on December 26, 2014
at 11:47 am
Christmas was a quiet affair at home. I hope you have a great New Year with perhaps a trip to Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 26, 2014
at 12:04 pm
Am going to Italy on 11th January for my son’s wedding in Orvieto
By: Jan Fabretti on December 27, 2014
at 9:40 am
I will be in Italy from 16th February. Will you still be there?
By: Debra Kolkka on December 27, 2014
at 11:22 pm
You are so lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, I feel 🙂
So rich in art, architecture and incredible landscape…
Wish you and your loved ones a Very Happy New Year 🙂
By: Sreejith Nair on December 26, 2014
at 12:09 pm
Italy is very beautiful and I am indeed very lucky to be able to be there for several months every year. I hope you have a wonderful New Year with lots of travel.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 26, 2014
at 12:43 pm
Thank you so much Debra 🙂
By: Sreejith Nair on December 26, 2014
at 3:24 pm
Have a great 2015, hope you get to visit some more interesting places in Italy!
By: suej on December 26, 2014
at 12:59 pm
I think I will have to make a list and try to cover as many as possible. There is a small problem as I also like to return to favourite places. Whatever happens it will be good.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 26, 2014
at 9:42 pm
Thanks for sharing a few touches of 2014, and cheers to your 2015 trip. The small towns of Italy as so captivating … and you do a great job of capturing them.
By: aFrankAngle on December 26, 2014
at 1:37 pm
Thanks you for you kind comments. Italy is very picturesque. I think it is not possible to take a bad photo.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 26, 2014
at 9:43 pm
A great post – as usual – Deb, to remind everyone of what you hace been busily doing during the year. Perhaps, you did not travel as much as In recent years, but Ponte a Serraglio and Casa Debbio have kept you very busy and the results are great. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!
By: Mulino Dominillo on December 26, 2014
at 3:07 pm
I am very keen to get back to work in the garden, but there should be less to do in 2015 as several terraces have been planted. Next year I will be working on the one below the house where I want to plant a cottage garden full of lavender, roses and peonies.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 26, 2014
at 9:46 pm
Deb, what a perfect post. I fall in love with Italy all over again when I see your photos. Just a perfect little place on Earth. I will return someday to Florence and travel around Tuscanny. It would be lovely to meet you.
By: meditatingmummy on December 26, 2014
at 3:55 pm
We could meet at my favourite cafe in Florence, Giacosa, and then do a little tour of Florence…what fun!
By: Debra Kolkka on December 26, 2014
at 9:47 pm
Perfect 🙂
By: meditatingmummy on December 26, 2014
at 10:32 pm
Stunning photos, Debra. I especially loved the one of the sheep. Wishing you a very happy and successful 2015. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on December 26, 2014
at 5:57 pm
I love the sheep too. I had just been complaining about the lack of sheep while taking a photo of the view when I looked behind and saw them.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 26, 2014
at 9:56 pm
Another lovely post Debra, and a reminder for us all to look back at the past year and our wonderful experiences. Looking forward to a new year of your adventures and wishing you and Jim all the very best for 2015.
By: Kathy Hill on December 26, 2014
at 9:50 pm
2014 was a good year. We achieved a lot at Casa Debbio and I plan to do more next year. I hope you have a great 2015…and thanks for the great card.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 26, 2014
at 9:58 pm
What a nice wrap-up of your time in Italy, Debra. I wonder what 2015 will have in store for you?
By: Yvonne on December 26, 2014
at 10:15 pm
Whatever happens will be good. I will put together a list of places I would like to visit and see how many I get to.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 27, 2014
at 4:02 am
Dear Debra – have read so many of your comments especially with Celia! I would like to wish you a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2015! Somehow had not ‘cottoned on’ to the fact that you live at least part of your year in Bagni di Lucca: well, just happened to have a daughter with that married name and two grandsons who I know have been ‘investigating’ the area 🙂 !
By: Eha on December 27, 2014
at 1:34 am
How amazing! If I can help with anything please let me know. I will be going back in February for 4 months. Thank you for dropping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 27, 2014
at 3:59 am
The infloriata is amazing – stunning flowers, beautiful designs and bright colours. Fabulous photos Debra.
Cheers
Robyn
In Brisbane
By: italia4ever on December 27, 2014
at 2:24 am
Infioriata was an incredible event. I am so glad I made the trip to Spello. I will be seeking out other festivals in Italy, they do them very well.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 27, 2014
at 4:03 am
Looking forward to every one of your posts for 2015. May you revisit special places and discover new ones as well. x Di
By: Dianne Cant on December 27, 2014
at 6:07 am
I am going to make a determined effort to see some new places in Italy next year…there are many to choose from.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 27, 2014
at 12:08 pm
Beautiful images and weather in Italy! Thank you and happy holidays!!! Simple Cherishes
By: simplecherishes on December 27, 2014
at 6:44 am
The weather was a bit patchy through spring and summer, but September and October were delightful this year.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 27, 2014
at 12:09 pm
That is such a lovely virtual wander through Italy. I think you have been bitten by the gardening bug.
By: Jan on December 27, 2014
at 7:12 am
I think so too. It is so exciting to see something you have planted one year spring to life the next. I can’t wait to get stuck into my garden next year. It will be beautiful.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 27, 2014
at 12:10 pm
Aaaah….Italy, the land of visual delights in architecture, landscapes and local cuisines…. For a tiny country, it packs in a good punch in terms of tourism! I love the way you share your memories with us, always a continual delight to see what’s ‘around the corner’ or ‘up the hill’. We will certainly visit again. Bagni di Lucca beckons…. Have a marvellous 2015, Debra, especially with your garden at Casa Debbio.
By: Sandra Hoopmann on December 27, 2014
at 9:59 pm
I think Italy has more beautiful things per square inch than any other country, there is a delight at every turn.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 27, 2014
at 11:18 pm
Those floral mural look good, it’s a shame they only last one day.
By: Just Add Attitude on December 27, 2014
at 11:39 pm
When you watch the incredible amount of effort it takes to create the carpets it is a real pity they can’t last longer. Thousands of people walk past and then over the carpets not long after they are finished.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 29, 2014
at 6:45 am
Yes, the murals are amazing! And I really enjoyed browsing through your photographs, absolutely beautiful, thank you.
By: sandydunne on January 4, 2015
at 10:21 am
What a nice look back into your year in Italy. I love that picture of the sheep. They look well insulated!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on December 29, 2014
at 10:38 am
Reblogged this on Tiffani Leon's site "In Search of Lost …".
By: Tiffani Leon on December 30, 2014
at 1:45 am
Beautiful photos Debra! Wishing you the best in 2015 and looking forward to more of your lovely posts!
By: thirdeyemom on December 31, 2014
at 4:52 pm
Wow. Love love love Italy!
By: twainausten on January 11, 2015
at 8:44 am
Do you like the wine? Id love posts from wineries! Had a merlot from Villa Teresa tonight just cuz Im infatuated with Italy!
By: twainausten on January 11, 2015
at 8:46 am
I did a post called Sunday lunch at a Tuscan vineyard. If you type that in the search box at the top it will come up. I probably should visit more vineyards.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 11, 2015
at 11:01 am