An Italian adventure
When Lewis came home from school last year with a letter for the ski trip, I felt my heart skip a beat. Not only did I foresee that this was going to be costly, but it also meant that he would be going away for nine days, to Italy, without myself or his Dad, and I really wasn’t sure how I felt about that! Fast forward a year and not only did he go on the ski trip and love it, but he has also just signed up to go back again next year!
Over the last two weeks we have heard nothing other than how fantastic his holiday was, how much fun he had skiing, how beautiful the views were and, most of all, how Italy was everything he had imagined it to be and more. And that’s where I felt a real pang of jealousy, because Italy has always been right at the top of my holiday destination wish list.
I’m not really sure why I have never been to Italy before, maybe because in my younger years I was far more interested in drinking my way down the strip in Magaluf or baking in the sun at the pool side in Salou. Perhaps because Italy seemed far too sophisticated for my pre-child like self, a whole world away from drinking my body weight in sangria or enjoying a Pina Colada by the sea.
And yet now, at thirty seven, with four energetic children, our holidays are very much about exploring and adventures, enjoying activities which, with any luck, will tire the children out so we might just get an hours peace and quiet of an evening. Our dream holiday is more about lake side nature trails than late night drinking and I think in that way, Italy is at the top of our list!
So with that in mind, and having spent the last two weeks salivating over Lewis’s talks of gelato and real Italian pizza, we have decided that next year we will finally book that villa in Italy and, much to their persuasion, incorporate a few days skiing for Lewis and Gaz.
I have spent this last week reading as much as I can about Italy, searching on the Clickstay website, scrolling through countless beautiful villas in the most picturesque of places, and working out ways for us to save every penny so that this time next year we will be in Italy, eating gelato, taking in the views and wondering why we waited quite so long to visit.
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I would love to go to Italy as well, it is pretty high on my bucket list. I hope you do ahead and book that villa! x
Me too Ana, I’m saving like mad!! xx
We had a holiday to Italy before we had children and it was just beautiful, definitely one of my favourite places. I would love to try and go to Venice with my lovely Man at some point!
Ohh I so wish I had gone pre-children, I’m sure it is a very different experience without children as it will be with my four!! I can’t wait though, I hope it lives up to my estimations! xx
Ahhhhh getting some serious wanderlust here! We would also love to book a villa in Italy….we’ll have to pop over to Clickstay and have a nosy as looks like they have some fantastic options!
I’m sure it would be amazing, even better if my parents came along as babysitters!! xx
I’m sure it would be amazing, even better if my parents came along as babysitters!! xx
I’ve never been to Italy, but I always think it looks so lovely. One day…I hope!
Me too, I so hope it doesn’t disappoint! xx
My husband has actually been researching moving to Italy–isn’t that crazy? I doubt it will come to fruition—but it’s a fun dream!!
Jodie
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Oh wow that sounds amazing!! I think I would if the chance arose! xx
Someday I will gather the courage to fly these gremlin kids of mine overseas.
Someday….
#fabfriday
Hahah we said that last year, and then this year I just couldn’t face it! Next year they will be 4, 5, 6 and 14, I’m hoping it will be easier! xx
Italy is my absolute favourite holiday destination – we go every other year I think! I got engaged there, and honeymooned there too, so it has so many memories for us, and it’s lovely to share those memories with Max as he grows up. A villa is perfect for a family holiday too – we did a villa stay last year and brought my parents along too (partly to repay a favour, partly for the free babysitting!). The Italians are so family friendly too – I guarantee they’ll love your gorgeous children!
Haha we are going to ask my parents to come along too, it just means we can have four adults to four kids and take the pressure off a little – and yes, maybe a few nights out for me and Gaz! Aww everyone says that about Italians and how much they love children, I so hope we can save enough to go! xx
Oh Italy is beautiful….try the Lakes.Malcestine on Lake Garda is just stunning and there’s a mountain behind the lake with a cable car to take you up which our kids loved. The town has a medieval castle which is just beautiful. Go in the summer and it lovely and sunny. Fabulous! I’m glad your son had a great skiing holiday. My family love skiing too. #fabfridaypost
Oh thank you for the advice!! I have always wanted to go, it just looks like the most beautiful place. Lewis didn’t want to come home!! xx
I haven’t been to Italy either and have always wanted to go! Hope you manage to find something amazing for next year 🙂 x
Fingers crossed, I hope it doesn’t disappoint! xx
You won’t be disappointed lovely, I adore Italy. It’s one of my favourite places to visit and I know it’s somewhere that we return to many times in the future. The food is amazing and I’ve never tasted ice cream like it! A villa is definitely the way to go, it’s prefect as a family and you won’t be disappointed x
Ohhh I’m all about the ice cream! I’m hoping they do gluten free pizzas, that’s going to kill me if I have to pass up on my first Italian pizza! I’m going to try and book something towards the end of this year for next year, I’ll be picking your brains! xx
My grandparents were missionaries for 40 + years and traveled all over the world. I asked her once what country was her favorite. You guessed it .. Italy. She loved everything about it! Good for you guys to go for it!
Oh really! This is all making me want to book it right now! xx
Wow now I want to book that Villa there. I have been to Rome but the way to experience Italy is to stay there for a few weeks. Hopefully some time soon
Thanks for sharing.
I agree, ideally we would love to do a whole Summer there, maybe one day! xx
Italy is such a gorgeous place!! The food, the people are amazing and so lovely, the culture, the sights… you will have amazing time, go ahead and do it!
Ahhh I can’t wait! I’m all about the gelato!! xx
That’s pretty sweet that you guys are going to Italy! It’ll definitely be a new kind of adventure lol. Hopefully one day I’ll be in Italy as well ?
Definitely! None of us speak Italian although I would love to learn! xx
Italy is gorgeous! And planning a holiday is always fun – enjoy the anticipation!
I’m hoping we can save enough before then! xx
My boyfriend is in love with Italy. He started to learn Italian. His best friend moved to Rome and now he wants, instead of going to Greece for these summer holidays, to make Italy tour and visit Rome, Florence, Milano, Toscana… So it’s hard to resist… go for it 🙂
Ohhhh I would love to do that!! Doing a tour would be amazing, one day when the kids are older we will do that for sure! xx
We fell in love with Italy last year and really want to go back
Ahh it seems everyone does! I cant wait! xx
Sounds wonderful! Would love to go there, any room for us? 😉 x
I’m sure I could squish you into my case! xx
Italy is probably my favourite place to visit in Europe. Every place I visit there I fall in love with. There is just something magical there.
I am sure you will have a wonderful time! So happy for you guys!
Oh that’s great to hear, I’m sure I will be the same! xx
Wow what a fantastic opportunity for Lewis. I’d love to go to Italy as it is where my great grandfather cam from…
He had such an amazing trip, I am so jealous! xx
Sounds like a similar story to my mummy’s when she was younger it was all about Magaluf and partying. Now it’s more about adventure and seeing the sites. She loves Italy and can’t wait to revisit x
My days of Magaluf are well and truly over!! xx
I’ve looked at Italy in awe so many times. My sister has had wonderful holidays there, and my cousin lives in a beautiful village in Tuscany. The beautiful lakes and the mountains, the food, and the history. You will without a doubt enjoy your holiday.
It looks to be an amazing country, I’ve never heard of anyone saying a bad word about it, so fingers crossed we will have a wonderful time there! xx
I would love to visit Italy, it looks stunning and would really like to try authentic Italian food
Me too! Lewis wasn’t overly impressed by the food though! xx
A villa in Italy sounds amazing. I’ve been to Venice but that’s the only place so far x
Oh Venice is definitely on my list too! xx
I have never been, it looks such a beautiful place and it sounds perfect staying in a villa.We love staying in self catering properties.
I think with children self catering is the way forward, we need our home luxuries! xx
I went skiing to Italy with the school when I was younger and it was great too!! Pleased that you are also going to get your wish and visit Italy! I’m sure you will have a great time
I never went, I hated the idea of all that snow! I’m way more about the apres ski! xx
ooh I saw your Cinque Terre photo and immediately clicked here for a read! I’ve just come back from Italy and we had a day there and I LOVED it, Italy is my most favourite country. My son goes away ski-ing to Canada next March!!!! I’m bricking it so I know exactly what you mean. I know he’ll have a good time and its such an experience for him, but it’s so so far away!
Oh wow, Canada!! It’s so hard to let them go, I was an absolute wreck the whole time Lewis was away, but he came back so confident and so excited, he is going again this march too! Good luck to you when the time comes. xxx