I have always wanted to go to Italy so imagine my excitement when my good friend said she was getting married there this summer. A perfect excuse to finally take the trip I have been dying to take for years and years.

The Plan:

We are going to fly into London and stay two nights there. It will give us a chance to hang out with Jen (the bride) for a bit before heading to Rome. We are going to spend 3 nights in Rome and while there I can check off one of my bucket list items. See the Colosseum.

Next on the list: Siena. Probably just spend an afternoon there before heading East to Cortona. If any of you have seen the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, you will know Cortona as it is where the movie was filmed. I fell in love with this small Tuscan village when I saw the movie so kind of excited to see it in person! We are going to spend the night here.

Cortona

Next stop: Greve in Chianti where the wedding is. We will be in Greve for 3 nights. The Tuscan villa is where Mona Lisa, the daughter of Anton Maria Gherardini was born in 1479. Yes, THAT, Mona Lisa.

The setting for Jen’s wedding couldn’t be any better. I am so excited for her and George!

Vignamaggio Villa (where the wedding is & where we are staying)

 After the wedding it is off to Florence, the capital of the Tuscan region, for two nights and after exploring all the city has to offer, a definite stop at the designer outlets malls close by!

Florence

We will drive through Pisa before heading to Vernazza. Pisa is the home of another  bucket list item. The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

 I am really stoked about going to Vernazza which is one of the five villages in Cinque Terra (along the Italian Riviera). We are only spending one night there but the plan is to do a lot of hiking. Apparently there is a trail that goes from village to village.

Vernazza

Our last stop on this vacation will be Venice. Bucket list item # 3 on this trip. Take a gondola ride in Venice.

Venice

There are going to be so many “pinch me” moments on this trip. Can you tell I am excited. The countdown begins. 17 weeks to go!