This View
Back in August we spent a week in Italy. A bunch of us went to celebrate the nuptials of our dear friends, Anna & Joey.They recently moved from London to Malta, doing a road trip through Europe on their way. So cool! You can check out the travels here: The Rambling Flamingo
I have always been fascinated with Italy. Ok I'm fascinated with travelling. I want to go everywhere. But there was always something a little different about Italy. So to finally go on holiday to Italy, wow! I was excited! Andrew and I have always said we want to retire in Italy and after spending some time there, I don't think we should wait until we retire!
Although the trip had some glitches, it was still amazing. This was our first trip with a toddler. We had been to Cape Town with Lily when she was about 8 months old and that was a whole different experience. This time round Lily could walk, but mostly run! Packing for this trip seemed harder too. I'd never been to Italy before so I wasn't sure what was available on that side and I wanted to be prepared as much as possible.
The build up to the trip was quite stressful, although still very exciting. Lily was teething, not 1 but 4 teeth were cutting through at the back. So I spent most of my nights/early morning's sleeping in a cot. Oh did I say sleeping? I meant curled up in a cot with a restless babe climbing on me and pressing her face against mine so hard it felt like she was trying to get inside my face. During the day, a teething Lily is clingy making it hard to get anything done such as pack for a trip, buy essentials that are needed for said trip and look up information one might need for this much anticipated trip. The day before I realised that I could not find Andrew's pair of smart black shoes he needed for the wedding. Where had they gone? We did a big charity drop off when we moved so perhaps they were in there..? So off I ran to the closest shop for shoes where the only decent pair I can find weren't the cheapest either. I get home to discover the shoes I ordered for Lily arrived while I was out, so a card was left for me to re-arrange delivery. Great. I call them back and the lovely lady is very helpful and arranges the delivery for the same day. What wonderful news! The shoes arrive that afternoon and are too big for Lily. Why did I take the risk and order them online? Luckily the bride to be is super chilled and happy for Lily to wear pink little sneakers with her flower girl dress. Phew!
The day has arrived! We wake early and our taxi arrives and we're off to the airport. Note to self (there were many notes to myself), don't take two cabin bags and a large luggage bag with a pram on holiday! It's awkward to move this around once you've checked in and have to get around the airport and then the plane with an energetic toddler! I lost most of my ready formula's at security, I made the mistake of packing them in my cabin luggage. I know better than this so I'm not sure what I was thinking?! Once we were on the plane we were delayed for 50 minutes and had to sit strapped in while waiting. Then there was turbulence, so we had to stay strapped in for most of the flight. This was not easy with a toddler. No amount of distraction helped. Although the flight to Verona is not a very long one, when forcing an active toddler to stay strapped in, the flight feels never ending. I'm sure the passengers hated us but parent's deserve to travel too! And believe me, it might be annoying to your ears hearing an upset toddler on a plane but the parents are suffering more than you are - trust me. So by the time we reached the airport we were quite frazzled. We decided it was easier, quicker and most importantly, more toddler friendly to take a taxi to our hotel. The public transport would be much longer and wouldn't be direct. I hadn't had a chance to exchange any cash and needed taxi fare so the hunt through the messy handbag begins. Why is the handbag always organised when I leave the house but a shamble once I arrive at a destination? I couldn't find my purse, which had all our bank cards in it. I felt the air leave my lungs as I not only panicked, but literally collapsed. I threw everything out of my handbag, I could not find my purse! I couldn't believe that I had got my family stranded at an airport where we couldn't understand the language, had no cash and no way of reaching any of our contacts. I'm not shy to say it, I fell to my knees and cried. I can't remember the last time I felt so scared. Andrew spotted me and came running over. Usually he would have instantly stressed out but he stayed calm and thankfully he did as lo and behold, he found the purse sitting in my luggage trolley! I know, i know. It was careless of me to leave it there but I thank God that we found it!!
So after a stressful few days we eventually arrive at the hotel. We settle in and take a walk around. We have a lovely dinner and some wine made by the venue and at last feel like we are on holiday. On our second night all was well and Lily was fast asleep when I got into bed, and two minutes later I heard that gagging sound of someone about to vomit. I quickly lifted her up and turned her over and the poor thing got sick all over the travel cot, and then got sick some more. Every time we thought she was finished, she would get sick again. So there was no sleep that night, and all the bedding in the room was covered, including monkey. Andrew did his best to clean him as she really needed him that night. It was quite scary, watching her be so ill and go so limp, feeling helpless. Thankfully she woke up like her usual self. I felt terrible about all the bedding and left the cleaners an apology note, but they were more concerned about Lily and tole me not to worry. How lovely of them. Unfortunately the hotel weren't able to wash any of our items so we headed to town in search of a laundromat. We got out of the taxi and settled Lily in her pram only to realise the taxi had rode off and we left our nappy bag, purse and my phone in the car. Where were our minds?! We quickly called the driver and he returned within a few minutes. Another thankful moment! We weren't able to find a laundromat that was open and as it was a very hot day we headed back to the hotel with our bag of vomit clothing and bedding. We just washed it ourselves in our room. Besides, the pool was calling and our friends had arrived. Luckily my friend brought a bathing costume with for me (yes I didn't pack my own bathing costume).
A few days later we were heading back from the shops in our regular taxi and I suddenly wondered, where is our bank card? I asked Andrew and he checked his pocket, it wasn't there. Something green on the floor of the taxi caught our eye and there was our bank card! It had fallen out of Andrew's pocket when we were on our way to the shops. Thankfully we were in the same taxi on the way back. Had I not thought about it, we wouldn't have looked at the floor. I know, I know - us and this bank card!! So thinking that was the last of the mishaps, we were proved wrong. On the day of the wedding I opened up the suit bag to get Andrew's suit ready for day, and his pants weren't there. We had the blazer, shirt, tie, waistcoat but no pants. How could we forget the best man's trousers?! We shouldn't be allowed to pack for holidays, especially important ones that involve a wedding!
The Beautiful Bride & Groom
So you see, we had quite a few glitches. That were mentioned....BUT it was still an amazing, memorable holiday that I'm so grateful to have enjoyed. It was awesome being with all of our friends in Italy. Hanging by the pool or the restaurants sipping on Spritz or Limoncello. Eating Pasta or Caprese Salad, exploring and just having nowhere else to go for a whole week.
The wedding itself was beautiful. What wedding isn't?! The weather was perfect. The food delicious (I'm still dreaming about those rosemary potatoes), The view was rustic. I couldn't have asked for better company. Lily had a great time and slept through the reception, peacefully in her pram leaving us to enjoy ourselves. The Mojito's and Caffe' Corretto's flowed and flowed (I think the Grappa burned a hole in the tablecloth?). It was truly a wonderful wedding, and also a wonderful holiday. You can view the wedding photos here, taken by my pal: Natalie B Photography
It all went too quickly as all holidays do, but we shall return to Italy. Saying goodbye to Anna and Joey on their last night was surreal and I blubbered like I always do, but I know in my heart it's not good-bye but see you later. So thank you Italy!! You didn't let me down.
In the meantime I'll watch Under The Tuscan Sun on repeat and eat Caprese Salad each time I'm in an Italian mood.
S.
