1.8.12

roman holiday

{Vatican guards}



The past two weeks have helped recharge the batteries, that's for sure, a fortnight in Italy being the perfect antidote to the last few months of rain. Much eating has been done, including numerous gelato tastings. Then there was lots of daily swimming, a little walking and a good dose of sleeping in order to recuperate from many late nights. We headed firstly to Rome, where we trod the pavements sight seeing and trying to escape the searing heat that we were so unused to. The children were sadly unimpressed with St Paul's and the Vatican City but the spectacle of the Colosseum made up for it.



And I can confirm the saltwater sandals were indeed the 'best thing since sliced bread' although one word of caution .. they are treacherous on slippery surfaces. Steep steps in front of the Colosseum, ancient, scorching hot and highly smoothed through centuries of use let me down badly when I treated the queueing tourists to an interesting display to relieve their boredom of waiting to get in.

{Casperia} 

{Casperia}

{Montasola}

{Casperia}

{Roccantica}

{Roccantica}

{Casperia}

A hilltop village called Montasola was our next port of call and a perfect-in-every-way villa nestled amongst olive trees with views over the Sabine Hills that practically knock your socks off. Our English/Italian owners were truly the most gracious hosts we have ever known, welcoming us warmly with fresh figs, olive oil from their own land, wine from a neighbour's vineyard and warm apricot and walnut crumble, it's ingredients picked from the garden only hours before. Then throughout the week gifts of plums, lettuce, courgettes were bestowed upon us. We helped christen their newly built pool which had stunning vistas over the mountains and really, I cannot recommend this place highly enough. 




Our day trips took us to Rieti, for the Sunday market, where I was able to stock up on lace. How I love that stuff! Rieti is famed for being the very centre of Italy but I think the crowning glory was Gelateria Napoleone, with its swoon worthy selection of gelato.


Another worthy visit is Viterbo, a lively and bustling city famed for its Papal Palace dating back to 1145. We indulged in our daily ritual of yet more gelato and then came paradise in the form of Francesco and his vast collection of vintage buttons in the Piazza dell'Erbe. Feast your eyes, ladies. Feast (and this is only half of it)!


{Viterbo} 

{Viterbo} 


But really, we were just as happy to take the children's lead and content ourselves by swimming, savouring the local produce and reading in the heat of the day. So happy in fact, we were sad to leave not just the villa but Carla and Michael too.

However, on we went and I shall tell you a little about that another time.

12 comments:

  1. I wondered if your silence meant that you had been doing exciting things for your summer break. Your holiday sounds fun and relaxing in the most perfect kind of way. I am looking forward to hearing about the rest of it. T x

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  2. Oh, I have been eager to see your vacation photos, you never disappoint. It looks like you had a marvellous time exploring in your Saltwaters. Your host's pool and all of their garden offerings sounds lovely. Looking forward to seeing more. Welcome back!

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  3. Beautiful - I feel warmer already!! What a fabulous mix of culture, history, scenery, lazing about and shops to die for (I'd still be in that button shop I know!) And what ice creams to top it all off too! Fantastic holiday and many thanks for sharing it with us.

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  4. Oh how wonderful! (as Audrey herself might have exclaimed!) I've just worked out that it's more than 15 years since I was last in Italy... and as our recent very wet week in the Lakes looks like being the extent of our 'summer' holiday this year I can't wait for your next installment to transport me to warmer climes... and Gelato!!

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  5. Sigh!!! It looks absolutely amazing, those skies, I can feel the heat coming off my computer screen and ice cream to die for.
    Talk of apricots, olive oil, wine, plums and figs, I want to be there Kate, I want to be there!!!!
    Vivienne x

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  6. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos! It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday. I can't wait to see what you produce with the lace and vintage buttons!
    I love my Saltwaters, but have also had some near falls wearing them on slippery surfaces:(

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  7. It's lovely to have you back and that first picture is absolutely stunning; a taste of the theatrical but if you look at the guards faces there is a touch of boredom, I think? Brilliant.

    I am pleased to report that our ice-cream parlours here in Tours look as appealing ;-)

    Stephanie

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  8. oh how I love those gelato photos! I am quite green with envy.....

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  9. Oh this looks lovely...I really wish I could visit that spot. Such a yummy gelato photo! Happy weekend.

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  10. Oh my goodness, I need to get me to Italy. I have never been and am desperate to go. I am so pleased you have charged your batteries in this beautiful place. As for the buttons, oh the buttons! xox Penelope

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  11. Lovely photos, look at the deep blue sky, you can feel the heat radiating off the pics! Your first installment makes it obvious you had a wonderful holiday....especially the ice-cream...wow! I went on a school trip to Italy and loved it, very fond memories....

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There's nothing like a comment to stop me feeling like I'm talking to myself. If you leave one here I'll pop one back here too, so don't forget to come back and continue the conversation ..

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