Chianti Travel Vacation

More gelato, please

When I dreamt of visiting Tuscany before, I imagined cruising in a snazzy convertible through picturesque Chianti hillside vineyards with my husband behind the wheel. Or taking long bike rides through numerous medieval towns and ancient castles. I pictured stopping along the way to sample delicious, regional cuisine and enjoying a glass of Italian wine. In other words, my imagined trip seemed ideal for a couple without children. Yet, when we decided back in December to make time for an early summer family vacation in Italy, I was thrilled.

Our children, like most, are naturally curious about different cultures, languages and customs encountered while traveling. From previous trips through Europe, I've been surprised when they've pointed out small differences I might not have noticed myself. For example, in Austria, bathrooms with turnstiles for paying also have a small "free" door for children to walk through. Neither Radek nor I had time to plan an elaborate itinerary for our Tuscany trip. We booked our accommodations in a guesthouse a few kilometers from Siena and agreed to take day trips according to our moods and the children's energy levels.

The 1100 kilometer drive took us more than 13 hours, which included frequent stops for the children to stretch and play. Driving through the Dolomites, the breathtaking scenery made me wish, for a moment, that we were returning to Garda Lake where we'd spent a long weekend touring and biking two years ago. The rugged mountains, some still snow-topped, were striking in contrast with the lower fertile regions as we drove past countless vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards. When we passed a turn off to Verona I reminded Anna Lee of the story of Romeo and Juliet, she delightedly began to reenact it with Oliver. At a rest stop in Austria, Anna befriended another similarly snaggle-toothed girl, and after a brief moment of shyness, the two communicated in English/German until it was time for us to move on. Oliver found his rest stop buddy in Italy, and though the two didn't talk, they chased pigeons together, shrieking in delight.

When we finally arrived at our guesthouse, the children were so excited by the pool that almost immediately they jumped into their swimsuits for their first swim, despite a slight chill in the evening air. Several fully-clothed Italian children stopped their football and ping-pong to watch in mild astonishment as our children squealed loudly in glee. Throughout the week, with the exception of some French teenagers, we were the only guests who seemed to use the pool. On our last day, the guesthouse employees finally readied the outside bar for use, so I imagined we had arrived just a week short of the typical warm Italian summer.

Beautiful Villa's of Italy | Suite101.com

Beautiful Villa's of Italy

If you are planning a special vacation for the holidays this year look no further then the beautiful villa's in Italy. Whether you are planning a romantic getaway or a trip for the whole family the gorgeous villa's in Italy have got you covered. You can get a villa for your special vacation anywhere in Italy from the Amalfi coast to Rome herself.

Just south of Naples there is a coastline known as the Amalfi coast. This is arguably of the most beautiful places in the world. They have a wonderful assortment of villas. The Amalfi Coast villas offer views of the coast and the steep rocky hillsides which dip down deep into the ocean. Almost all the nearby villages are untouched by modern architecture and therefore are a splendid sight to behold and marvel at. These villas, complete with their spectacular views were once reserved only for rich aristocrats, but now you too can bask in all the natural beauty that this part of Italy has to offer.

Tuscany with its beautiful green fields and rolling hills is truly a sight to behold. Here you can stay in tastefully converted farmhouses, cottages and very attractive apartments in Florence. Everyone has dreamed of living in a castle and some of the most beautiful villas in Tuscany can make that dream a reality. There are wonderful antique shops and leather workshops to see as well as the Chianti and Montalcino vineyards close by.

Enjoy an amazing view of the magical Italian lakes and experience the majestic beauty of the alps that separate Italy from Switzerland and France. You can drive right along the lakes and stop for a romantic moment as you experience the breathtaking beauty of the Coma, Maggiore and Orta lakes.

Experience the beautiful villa delle rose near San Venanzo located right at the heart of Unbria.or the villa Consoli an ancient tower dating back to the year 1000. Unbria is one of the greenest areas of Italy and offers gorgeous views of its green fields and soft rolling hills. Umbria contains several beautiful rivers and is the only region of Italy that has no coastlines or bordering countries.

Sitting 1000 ft. above the Ligurian Sea the small village of Corniglia is just one of the dazzling places of Liguaria. You can experience the wonderful sea side resorts or just check out the many beaches on the beautiful coastline. Liguria also contains a very gorgeous little fishing village called Portofino, which has become a very famous place. Its a great place to vacation even during the winter thanks to a mild climate all year round. An average temperature during the winter is 45 to 50 F. So no matter when you decide to take a vacation here you are in for a pleasant stay. Liguria also has some of the best food around, so you are really in for a treat.

Vacations Magazine

The Alcalde

Vacations Magazine

Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Vacations Magazine