More thoughts on L'Italia Bella

You're invited to pull up a chair, a country hand painted chair, and we'll sit around the rustic pine table, under the arbor. Let's open a bottle of Vino nobile di Montepulciano, slice some fresh blushing pears, top with shavings of fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano, spread slices of particularly gorgeous melting Taleggio on to crusty farmhouse bread. Let's just sit back looking across the Tuscan landscape to the medieval hilltowns beyond the olive groves and vineyards...................... and we'll know life can't get better than this. Oh, but you say, I thought she was English and here she is spouting off about Italy. Those who have been to Italy know how the beauty of the country gets under your skin and it's impossible to forget each small detail, whether you've spent years, weeks, or just a few days soaking up everything Italian.

Next year I hope to return to Italy - dh and I are considering a trip which will encompass more of Tuscany, Venice, and the Golden Triangle area of Lake Como. These photos show the view from Varenna where English friends are currently completing the decoration of a hillside home they have purchased and will be renting out to visitors...................now that looks like a truly beautiful place. I'm seriously thinking of mailing off my deposit for next Summer!!!

Hope you can all visit Italy some day........you will not be disappointed I assure you.