Number 1. Italy! Of course you knew that our May trip to Italy would be the biggest event of 2005. While I’ve been to many places in my lifetime, our family trip to Italy will always stand out.
It was about this time of year that we began planning it. Kelly’s parents were visiting, there was plenty of bustle, and the idea was bantered around. I heard the plans but it didn’t really register with me. I guess I assumed it would never really happen. Travis was all of two months old at the time. I mean, how could we think of pulling off something like this?
But it did happen! We got our passports, purchased our tickets, picked out a farmhouse apartment outside of Siena, and soon we were counting down the days. Travis turned six months old right before we left and seemed jolly enough to reasonably make the flight. Hallie we had no question about, naturally!
The flight was a smooth one up until the very end. We all had a blast marching around the countryside and cobblestone streets; there was much pasta, wine, and gelato consumed; and we enjoyed living life like the Italians do for our lucky two weeks. Heck, we even took readers of the Raleigh News and Observer along, too. Aside from Travis’s unexpected visit to a Siena hospital, we couldn’t have asked for more (though the hospital visit was enlightening as well).
The flight back was fraught with obstacles. Perhaps the universe was suggesting we stay! We left Florence two hours late and missed our connecting flight in Paris, forcing us to stay overnight. It was terrible … listening to the fun the rest of our group had while Kelly and I were stuck in the hotel with the kids!
Oh well. Paris deserves more than a half-day. One day we’ll do it right.
Oh, and missing our Paris to Washington flight meant missing our flight from Washington to Raleigh, too. Rather than spend the night in the DC area, we rented a car and drove the six hours back home. I guess we couldn’t get enough of traveling.
As the new year kicks off, I find myself longing to be back in Tuscany. I suppose it gets in your blood. We vow to return some day, when the kids are a bit older and can better appreciate it. I’m sure it will have aged like the fine wine grown in its spectacular countryside.