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Caption: BELLISSIMO Summer in Italy
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Caption: "You may have the universe if I may have Italy." GIUSEPPE VERDI
Caption: Last year I spent two weeks travelling the long boot on a Topdeck tour and was so taken with its beauty, depth and of course, food, I returned to see more, just two months after arriving home.
Dive into la dolce vita.
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Caption: Ah, Capri! Holiday spot of the rich and fabulous, and all ours if only for one short day. We caught the ferry from Sorrento and set out to soak up the island's prettiest vistas.
Taking a boat tour around the island is the best 20 euros you'll ever spend. We went out with Capri Whales. (Tell Marco I said hi if you visit.)
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Caption: You'll need to pay another 13 euros if you want to swim in the blue grotto, taking a teeny canoe into the magical spot.
We swam through the green grotto as part of out tour. I could have stayed in that dreamy water all day.
Next stop: Assisi.
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Caption: Being familiar with only the major cities on the itinerary, it was an unexpected bonus that I found myself falling for the dusty pink sandstone walls of Assisi on the way to Florence – and the basilica that would provide the inspiration for the Sistine Chapel 250 years later.
With 10 olive trees for every resident and vineyards as far as the eye can see in this picturesque region, our local guide Francesco was clearly living la dolce vita. “Guys, this is paradise,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders.
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Caption: The silence is deafening. Orderly rows of vines hang heavy with this season’s finest and the countryside surrounding us is greener than a Wall Street rookie.
We’ve pulled into a nondescript dirt road at a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it signpost that says ‘Villa Buonasera’. And we’ve got one thing on our minds: a full-bodied Italian named Chianti Classico.
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Caption: We’re sniffing, swilling and sipping our way through a crisp glass of rosé, while young winemaker Christian teaches us how to properly taste wine in a dance of passionate hand gestures and rolling Rs.
"When I taste a wine for the first time I ask, ‘am I remembering myself something fruity or something spicier?’" He points out the nuances of their different blends like a dad would boast about his son’s performance at a weekend soccer match.
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Caption: "Our nose can identify more than 5000 scents,” Christian continues to explain but he needn’t bother.
With the aroma from his mother Barbara’s three-day slow-cooked ragu that’s just been carried out to the table, my taste buds are already having their own silent disco.
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Caption: Arriving in Cinque Terre, Vernazza captured my heart, hook, line and row boat oar.
Picture of Vernazza
Vernazza
Caption: Pressed for time, we gave our train passes a full workout, stopping in each of the five towns to enjoy the individual vibe and character of each and diving into the soothing ocean.
My favourites? Vernazza and Manarola.
Picture of Vernazza
Vernazza
Caption: In Venice, windows offered a glimpse into the sinking city's soul.
The architecture is a marvel. It feels a privilege to wander the maze of streets.
Picture of Vernazza
Picture of Vernazza
Picture of Vernazza
Picture of Vernazza
Caption: #topdecker
#italy #europe #summertime
#travel #stellerstory #goexplore
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