If only every sunrise was like this one, right? This photo was taken 2 years ago in Salerno, Italy. I had gotten up early so I wouldn’t miss a minute on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, and I managed to catch the amazing beauty of nature as we were pulling into the cruise port While on this trip in 2016, my husband and I (who had never been to Europe before), vowed to return every 2 years. And since it has been 2 years, it is time for Good Food Reads: Vacation Friday Five because we’re heading back!
A placemat in Mykonos, Greece
Without further ado, today’s Vacation Friday Five! (I’m so excited to have SO much to talk about)!
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1.Vacation! Today is the day that I am headed back to Europe! My husband and I will be heading to Paris (non-stop, thank you Delta Airlines) and then after spending a few days eating macrons and croissants we are taking an overnight train to Italy. We plan on hiking in Cinque Terre, taking a cooking class in Florence, and riding the vaparettos in Venice. I can not wait! If anyone has any recommendations for these locations, please comment below! We have planned very little, preferring to let our hearts wander where they may. If you are interested in our travels, make sure you are following the With Two Spoons Instagram account, where I plan on posting stories and photos frequently! I mean after all, what better place to practice photography, right? (And forgive me if I might be just a little behind on the rest of our social media, since our WiFi might be a little spotty!) And if you’re looking for a new pair of walking shoes, after walking miles in Manhattan in June, I can recommend these light and comfortable Danskos.
2.Anniversaries! While in Europe, my husband and I will be celebrating TWENTY years of marriage. It doesn’t even seem possible that we have been married that long! Some days it feels like it was yesterday, and other days it feels like it was another lifetime ago. We said “I do” in a beautiful ceremony in a church on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis on a beautiful fall day. It felt magical then, and most days, it still feels magical. My best marriage advice? Be prepared for ups and downs and learn to ride them out. Perfection does not exist and should not be the goal. Work at it every day. It’s worth it! (And laugh a lot. Preferably with a glass of wine in hand.) What marriage advice would you give these newlyweds? Tell us in the comments below!
Look at how young we were! Circa 1998.
3. Food! I’m looking forward to amazing French food in Paris and pasta at every meal in Italy. I hope to come up with a bunch of new recipe ideas while eating my way around France and Italy. I’ve been reading “My Kitchen In Paris” to learn a little more about French Cuisine. And let’s not forget about Julia Child and her book “My Life in France” which I listened to on a plane flight last year. I’m also going to be on the lookout for new cookbooks as we travel around! Let me know if you have any suggestions for French or Italian cookbooks!
4. Books! As I was recently in San Diego for a conference, I had a little time to myself to read (by a pool, in the salty San Diego air-it was heaven really!). I added this book to my list of favorites and despite the overwhelming amount on this topic in the media, I found this one so well written it was definitely worth the read. I’m bringing this one and this one on the trip. Does anyone have any other recommendations? I do have a few very long plane rides ahead! (and there is nothing I like better than book recommendations!)
5. My daughter got her drivers license!!! Yes I talked about this last week. But truly, last week I did not realize what a life changing event this would be. She can now arrange her schedule to her liking instead of trying to work her schedule around my ability to drive her around. Bonus? She can now take her brother places. Sweet freedom for me and sweet freedom for her. Sure, I worry a little, but overall, our lives have improved significantly. So all of you with littles, those of you who are deep in the trenches of the daily grind, just know, it gets better.
Celebrating 18 years of marriage in Santorini, Greece.
Have a wonderful trip! I’ve actually just returned from spending my 30th Anniversary in Italy and I know you will have an amazing time. We didn’t get to hike in the Cinque Terre unfortunately, but next time we will. While in Venice, wander and get lost. It’s a magical city and surprised us tremendously. Make sure that you experience cicchetti in Venice. Our two favorite places for this are Vini AL Bottegon and Osteria All’Arco. Also, the BEST street food can be found at Acqua & Mais – their fried calamari is delicious. Sorry I don’t have links to these places, I can’t access them from my computer but if you type it into Google Maps you can find them. Happy Anniversary, have fun, and I can’t wait to follow along on instagram!
This was the most fabulous trip! I think we did all of the things! Hope you got to follow on Insta, I had a blast posting!