Prego! Prego! (by Hubby)

Prego! Prego!

One little word said twice quickly that gives the flavor of this Italian vacation!

Prego! Prego! For that amazing smoked salmon with Arugula we ate on this little street terrace in the heart of the old Rome near our Hotele Centrale.

Prego! Prego! For that amazing Taglieta of beef we ate at that other street terrace once again near our hotel in old Rome.

Prego! Prego! For the sounds and smells of the old city of Rome with its bustling streets full of people and cars and tourist and locals and buses and scooters whizzing by.

Prego! Prego! For the centuries of history at the Colosseum and the Foro Romano. Just try  to imagine what life must have been in these magnificent places two thousand years ago.

Prego! Prego! For Roma!

Prego! Prego! For Sorrento and Hotel La Vue d'Or.

Prego! Prego! For the shuttle bus in Sorrento (parking anywhere on the Amalfi coast is nothing less than a living hell!!)

Prego! Prego! For Capri and its Grotta Azzura. How beautiful can an island be? 

Prego! Prego! For Ischia and its thermal baths.

Prego! Prego! For The Amalfi Coast, its winding roads, crazy bus drivers, traffic, honking, cliffs, hairpin turns and just incredible, indescribable views that can't be explained but only experienced.

Prego! Prego! For the Sentiero degli Dei, the Walk of Gods, along the cliff high up in the mountains where you can almost touch the sky.

Prego! Prego! For that hilltop village trattoria so typical of Italian villages where most tourists don't stop but where locals enjoy their favourite food and drinks.

Prego! Prego! For walking everywhere, taking ferries, buses, funiculars and chairlifts!

Prego! Prego! For discovering all this with my Sweetheart and my big boy Chase!

Prego! Prego! For these bonding moments and great conversations over meals.

Prego! Prego! For seeing Italy through the eyes of someone who hasn't experienced it yet and will forever remember it.

Prego! Prego!

Arrivederci Roma, Arrivederci Amalfi

The coast and priano

We took the morning and lunch to enjoy the cute hotel in serento . We were thankful that right after our breakfast the rain stopped and it slowly began to clear up . We had been looking forward to a few hrs in the sun lounging and reading by the pool and we got to do this . Chase was so tired he went back to bed in the room until 1pm . Teens are not used to this morning  touring rhythm on vacation !

We  then left our hotel for our next destination and drove along the coast and the beauty and views are truly breathtaking ( hard for hubby who had to concentrate on the roads !! ) we stopped for about 2.5 hrs at a popular beach with pebbles and hubby and I were brave enough to swim in the cool ocean . We all fell asleep on the beach for a couple of hours and soaked in the hot sun .

We then had another beautiful costal ride to our hotel in Positano and arrived around 7pm to a gorgeous hotel hubby had found for a great price on the Internet . Our room and view were the best yet with a big room and a big patio with a table and chairs overlooking the ocean .All gorgeous except for the parking issues again and had to keep going to the public meter to pay (they did not mention on the booking there were 4 parking spaces for 15 rooms ! )

That night we decided we wanted an awesome meal so went on our search and ended up at the hotel restaurant of the place savvy stayed and had named on her blog .it was awesome ! Chase was delighted with his octopus entree and then steak arugula dish and hubby besides the not so great carpaccio loved his meal too ( and they did not charge us for The carpaccio ) .then on their advice we had the best lemonciello sponge cake with lemon pudding ever !!!!!! So delicious 

The next morning woke up early to pay the damn parking and then headed out for the WALK of GODS. We bargained with God the evening before and ask if we could enjoy him in a tricky way and he agreed :) we cheated and surpassed the 1000 stairs up and down and brought our car to the top and are doing about 2.5 hrs of the 4 hr trail ( and currently I am reading a book for 30 mins under the shade on a blanket ! )

See .. Don't let  good be the enemy of great right ???

Chase is still a very happy compatible traveller to be with and content and easy and fun . We two  incidents ( mostly chalk it up to my stress and temper ; chases annoying nature and need to please stranger and hubbys oblivion and passivity ) but all this didn't last too long and living together 24/7 in small close quarters all three of us is not always the easiest but most times torally smooth sailing 

We ended up after the walk of gods at the most incredible local resto on the cliffs . Feasted on garlic pasta - the best sausage mushroom pizza in existence - a plate of fried seafood for the guys and a delicious mixed salad . And of course lemonsoda .

We then spent and aggravating hour trying to find parking at our beautiful but annoying hotel . Thank goodness I am as assertive as I am !! These boys can't ask for what they want - I can . 

Then down for a " stroll" to the beach near our hotel . Well this felt like more stairs than the 1000 we skipped for the walk of gods !!! But totally worth it as was a local cute cove beach with clear inviting water that hubby and I jumped right into when we finally got down all the steps . We lay in the sun after and of course I read a book which I carry around with me everywhere 

Then up the exhausting stair walk up to the cliff and sat at the most stunning and perfect tiny bar overlooking the ocean . The view was amazing and the drinks the bartender was making looked heavenly . There was no where else to sit but at the bar and so we did .Since hubby gave up drinking 2.5 yrs ago for health reasons I thought this would be an awful experience for him as we have avoided it like the plague until now but he was able to enjoy it . He said was very very hard especially to see the vodka being poured into the glasses ( was his fave nightly drink for more than 30 yrs ) but he said he did not want to trade in the beauty of that sweet bar for anything . He had a Coke and I had a lemon Popsicle and we were content enough .

It's odd how all over Italy they have non alcoholic beer but not in this particular region of Italy . Diet Coke it was . I took a picture as was a big milestone of this journey . Of him being able and me being able to stand watching it without my heart breaking in two .

At the top of the cliff we found a local grocery store and indulged in some foods we have been missing ( Greek yogurt for chase ! Fresh peaches for us , chocolate for dessert )

Back on our beautiful balcony now and loving every moment of this perfect day ( minus the stairs ) today was by far my favourite .

Hubby and I so much alike in our travel and what we enjoy doing - that is so great . Really sympatico . We don't like hotels and tourist stuff but the local stuff and settling in to a routine and exploring from a base . If we could have a condo and make some food and have snacks and drinks in the fridge would be  even more perfect ( but far too expensive )

One day . One day we will live abroad in Europe for a few months at a time in an apartment like my brother did in Spain . Heavenly .

Tonight is take out and eating on our patio . Tomorrow is our last day and also have to make it back to Rome for the flight the next morning .

La vie est Bella !

Viva Italia!

pics of Capri and Ischia

Capri in the rain!!!

The Blue Grotos

Touching the caves was incredibly cool!

So nice!

this is the love arc at capri

I adore this picture

Nagombo

Anna Capri

look at the view at our hotel!

Beach at the thermal baths

Ischia

Ischia

Last night we found a great burger place in sorento and chowed down . May have been the best chicken burger I have ever eaten in my lifetime !

And today was my favourite day so far .Set alarm early and woke up to sunshine and headed on bus and ferry to ischia . Tipsy turvy wavy hour boat ride but worth every single minute 

Went to Negombo wellness thermal baths which I had carefully researched before trip . Private beach and about 26 natural thermal baths . Was so very Italian and beautiful . Gardens and flowers everywhere and natural wonder .

We soaked in thermal showers and in hot baths - medium baths and even cold baths . Japanese baths and Roman baths . Even soaked in caves ! Was So cool . Also fell asleep for a bit on the beach chairs with the beautiful sound of the ocean . Chase and I had 30 min massages and mine was heavenly as the guy got mixed up and went to 50 mins ! I like the Italian type of massage too so uninhibited and free . Loved having my glutes thoroughly rubbed without being embarrassed as if this was the most natural thing in the world 

A heavenly relaxing day with great weather ( only an hour storm ) . Then back to sorrento for a very so so meal but very relaxing night. We are a little tired of eating In restaurants  all the time but still loving every minute of the trip and savouring our last few days in Italy 

Excited to as today we text and FaceTime the kids in a few mins !!!

Tomorrow sleeping in ( finally ! ) and then off to last leg of the trip Positano and the walk of gods !

Sorento and Capri

Tons of typos as ipad not letting me edit 

Woke up with an alarm ( next few days will be early mornings ) and headed back to airport to get our rental car and headed towards our next destination sorento .

When we got to the Amalfi coast all our mouths hung open as we savoured the natural glorious beauty of the coastline 

We stopped at an ocean village " golden beach " in meta and found a great local restaurant overlooking the ocean and built on a cliff . Chase proclaimed he wants to learn Italian ans live in Italy ( with his friends not us ) he once again asked me about his possible European citizenship which I may have access too through my family tree if I wasn't so lazy and would take time to explore it more !

We went down to the beach and took our shoes off and went into the ocean and it was hot and the water actually warm . I felt like jumping in but the boys wanted to get to hotel to enjoy an hour of sun at the pool.

Hubby and I have been to so many beautiful places on the world .we are so fortunate in our lives to be able to prioritize the luxuries and make them happen . Travelling with our family has truly taken precedence over so many other things and I am grateful that it

Is so 

We ended up at a great hotel in sorento ( second one savvy referred ! ) with a superb view and a lively and lovely little terrace and pool over looking the Amalfi coast . We lay down for about 1.5 hrs in the sun at the end of the day and just read and fell asleep before heading to our room and organizing ( which chase keeps bothering me about but there is nothing that annoys me more than living out of a suitcase in a tiny hotel room !

Off to dinner in sorento to explore the beautiful little town that we Remember well from our trip with beauty . I Remember it very well as sat in town centre for hours as was the day my sprained ankle hurt the most from that trip ! Only problem with hotel is very far from centre so have to take a car and parking is a nightmare - but besides that love sorrento and this amazing hotel

Ps chase is driving me nuts today and hubby and I can't whisper a single word to each other or give eachother a single look without him asking us about it !

We ended up not having the best evening in sorento or the best morning . Ever trip has its moments and hopefully this was ours . Everyone is exhausted and tired of getting up with an alarm and although we adore all the Italian food we are starting to wonder how Italians can only live on one menu .we went searching for Greek and Lebanese and Cuban food and were of course empty handed . We ended up at a pizzeria and the guys ate carpaccio and seafood . Still a great meal ! Always a bit like this on vacation after a few days just want to eat a piece of toast or cereal . Then we quickly come to our senses and get back on our food track . After now 24 hrs fro, abstaining from italian food i am totally craving it all again !!

The next morning we had a day trip to ischia planned and canceled as raining . We took a ferry instead to Capri in the rain and chase and I for the first time on the trip were NOT Pb and jelly but rather rotten cream cheese and expired Tuna . 

In any case was our longest fight ever ( 3 hrs we ignored eachother ) and then on the ferry he came behind me and hugged me . And then I accepted it and a few mins later went to hug him and then we had an awesome day in capri!

I think we are in in need of a few hrs of downtime but so hard not to schedule and plan with the beauty and sites surrounding us . That being said I think we will need to as soooooooo tired - but still enjoying every moment . We cancelled the changing of hotel on Capri and will take a morning at our sorrento hotel with a pool to relax one morning 

Some sun came out too and just in time for our boat tour of The grottos and caves which were incredibly cool with the blue water and sun reflection in the caves . We thoroughly enjoyed this tour . Then an amazing lunch in Capri where we had a big antipasto plate and then omelette and sandwiches . And gelato !!!

Then to Anna capri and waking around . At one point chase and I opted out of the chairlift to the top and hubby opted in - so we sat in the shade and shares yet another gelato .

Italy is truly beautiful and I think it has really inspired chase in many ways .. To learn the language ... To travel with friends .... To open his eyes to a whole new way of being . He is off his phone all the time and very content without it . I see him changing and blossoming and growing thorough all of this .

Pics of Rome and the beginnings of Amalfi Coast

Colosseum

Trevi Fountain

My Guy

2/3 of my best guys ever

Vatican

Golf carting in Villa Borghese Gardens!

Arriving in amalfi-Golden Ocean

Scenic lookout with my handsome boy

Tica Tica Restaurent oceanfront-dipping our feet in the water

A pretty fountain in Rome

Peanut Butter and Jam

Ps all pics coming soon when i have the energy and time !!!!!

I spend quite a bit more time with chase than our other two kids lately given that he is often home in the day because of his erratic cegep schedule and the fact that i have a home office

We often grab a bite in or out together or feel awkward together when the cleaning team arrives every second week . We mostly ignore each other but here and there  I get the chance to nag him more often to clean up and i get to have an extra dishwasher stacker around complaining but getting the work done . I also have someone to share a laugh with .I treasure this time .

I love the kid endlessly and through all the rough growing pains has always been this way. I wrote to my husband the other day on text that being with chase on the trip would feel to me like being with peanut butter ( i am the jam ) So easy and comfortable and fits perfectly together .I don't know why it is but has been that way for years .

So last night was no exception although we had a sweet layer of nutella added in ( hubby ). We rested and napped at hotel and then headed out to dinner - we let Chase chose and it was german resto . We were a little apprehensive but was so incredibly delicious ! Best steak filet ever over a bed of arugula and shaved parmasan. And the sausage plate with sauerkraut did not disappoint with its warm tangy mustard sauce .
And a great Caesar salad and non alcoholic german beer that my hubby always appreciates as so rare to have a great one

We sat for a few hrs and has so many great conversations and great chats . It was so fun and lively . Chase worked on us again about his wanting to have a 10 person "
Not party" at our cottage when we get back but all calm and collected .The guy knows how to work the parents and our soft spots!

His dad and i went for a stroll and bought a yummy but expensive ( 9 euro??!! ) ice cream and met chase back in the room for a long and restful and needed sleep . We woke up at 9:30am today !

Chase is being amazingly civil and respectful with his phone use ( having no data is a blessing)
He uses it in room but doesnt seek out restos or places to find wifi which surprises me . He even gets mad at his dad when he is on the gps ! ( maybe my example of having my phone off always during vacations is inspiring him ?)  Usually our kids are bad at this when alone and with us in general but at the cottage , with frienda around and adults around they are usually very respectful. The last month i have not seen that usual fairly respectful use of their technology  in two instances at a pool party we had and with out of twon guests we had . I am glad to see on this trip chase still has his manners as something we have worked on consistently for years. Cool to see it come to life in rome



Then today Vatican city and the Vatican museum and basilica

The courtyards and gardens and churches are beautiful and so grandiose
Really gave us a flair of the true Rome

( I feel so bad for My Protector as he must feel like he is with two teens as both chase and I can't stop saying when we see the nuns and priests " who would want to do that with their life ? " childish I now but I couldn't seem to help myself by agreeing with Chase on this one . Especially after we walked an hour to the Vatican and then heard that shorts may not be allowed ( out of respect !! ) nevertheless the church and city were beautiful and wonderful and we even sat down the three of us and prayed .

Then onto a beautiful lunch at the same resto we ate at the first lunch and again the food blew us away with the caprese salad and smoked salmon over arugula and the pastas and meats . I could listen to chase all day go on and on about the food here - I knew he would love it .

Then a great time in the gardens of villa borghese and we tried to rent segways but decided pretty quickly maybe not ! Would have needed at least 15 mins of practice first as tried them and hard to maneuver at first ! We settled on a golf cart to see the park and that was a fun filled 45 mins and will let chase blog more about it later

Walked another 40 mins to get half hour Thai food massages and that felt amazing .Truly
Then some shopping on way back to hotel for chase who has 60 euros to spend on a souvenir(s)  for himself from us and he has already picked out a couple of great and cheap shirts. He loves clothes shopping and always has such a cool style .we left him in the shops and came back to hotel at 8:30pm for a little break before dinner as we are exhausted . Couldn't of course not stop for a slice of Gorgonzola mushroom pizza to share in front of the hotel

Tonight is Brie burgers we found at this little dive that look delicious and tomorrow leaving Roma and off to sorento !

Spending time with one kid alone like this is the most precious gift ever . Seriously it is .Even by the end of a long day simpler still peanut butter and jam . He hugs me .. Kisses me ... Lets me lean into him Into huge hugs when I get tired in the street The sweetest of the sweet he is . May not always appear that way -but people who know him well know that underneath that cool exterior is probably the most affectionate loving person ever .

Enjoying Roma through his eyes is truly magnificent .I love being a mom .