Last month, which seems a lifetime ago, I went on  a family (Jim’s family) holiday to Italy. We booked out a house near Todi for us all to stay, where me mainly ate, drank, laughed. Repeat.

Even though I am part Italian, from my Dads side, I have only been to Italy once before. I’m not fluent in the language (yet) but love to attempt it. With my efforts of my language course at university this last year and my phrase book in hand I gave it a go pretty much every where we went. Just giving the language a go was quite good fun, even when I got it wrong.

This is the view from the front of the house. Not to shabby. Especially when the sun came out.  Even though there was supermarkets close by, we decided to sample a local market that was on which sold pretty much everything. Including the best salted pork sandwiches.
The guys… looking for the next travel point for the day.. and brushing up on some local phrases.

En route to the next part of the day we drove through rolls of countryside, which all looked as pretty as the next.
Then we came to this little joint.  Le Felceta Country Resort which included a restaurant ran by a crazy italian (advise by her) lady Flavia.  There is no menu in Flavia’s kitchen she simply cooks what she feels, which you would never complain about because it was delicious. Serves you home mixed jugs of rouged. Ply’s you with dessert and then hands you an espresso with a bottle of limoncello. Definitely not the worst way to have lunch.

Entertaining Flavia with attempts of the language 😉Outside the restaurant was lovely too. With little tables and plotted plants..
… and a beautiful natural lake.
When we finally got home, the sun was still shining, and Jim thought he would have a beer. Or Keg.

The next day we were up for a bike ride, well Jim was, as there was only one bike. And a quick feed of the horses. Before we took off to Assisi.  The weather over there was pretty unpredictable. We went from clear mornings to afternoons of rain. but it didn’t stop us getting out and about. If anything it stopped us lounging pool side.
I loved this little cars.
We decided that rain days would be days of indulgence. What ever you wanted to eat and drink you could. But to be honest, it didn’t matter what the weather was saying, I was always going to get the biggest gelato cone.

As we were so close to Todi, we decided we should really go for a walk around it. So we hit the mini art gallery, wandered up and down the streets and had coffee.
Nothing is too far to get to, so we hopped back in the car and took a drive to Orvieto. Orvieto is beautiful and has the most beautiful of churches. It is times like this that I travelled with my 35 as well. Oh well, I’ll know for next time.

Whist we were there Jim and Olive celebrated their birthdays –  they share the same day. During the day a few of us went white water rafting, which was brilliant. I didn’t take my camera for that unfortunately  maybe its better  – those wet suits can be unforgiving. But in the evening we came back for a birthday BBQ.

On our second to last day I really wanted to try some Thermal Springs that I has read about, which meant crossing the border from Umbria to Tuscany. Travelling with a map is great. And there is Waze! 😉

A little self time en route.
… and some wine, ham and cheese…. In turns out days of indulgence are just as  much fun when the weather is good!
I had never been in a Thermal spring before, but it was just like getting into a bath.Outside. It was so warm.
This was a view of the springs from the top road.
On the way back to the house we thought we would stop off at lake Bolsena as were passing anyway. It was quite nice, but I think it was slowing down with it being late in the day so we just went for a wonder around.
On our last full day we went back Todi. It was market day and they were having a flower festival. The stalls were all out selling various plants.

Me and Jim took a little walk up the bell tower of one of the Doumos which gave the best view over looking Todi. There were 4 different look outs for a 360 view, but I preferred the one below. The sea of red tiles.
Whilst in Todi my addiction with Baci started. The Perugian chocolate. What is cute about these chocolate is that they have little love notes inside. Needless to say I got through quite a few. Even stocking up in the airport on the way home.

One of the main reasons we chose Italy for the holiday destination was because of Jim’s brother. He currently lives in San Francisco,but he & his wife were in Italy for a wedding. So, naturally we thought we would go take a look. Unfortunately the weather was at its worst all week, and really poured it down. 

This is the lovely Katie, Jim’s sister-in-law. 

… I couldn’t resist a few snaps.

And this little love is the latest to the Monkhouse family. Louie. Cute. Dangerously cute. 

The weather was definitely un predictable and just before dinner we got this….

….which turned into this…. 

… and then this. 

But really, when your with your love and his fabulous family the weather doesn’t really make a difference. Italy – I loved you. And I will definitely be seeing you again soon. 
Wow, that was longer than expected. Happy Monday!!

N. x