Although I grew up in and near the Canadian Rockies, there is something majestic, gorgeous, and wonderfully Old World about the Italian Alps that I never experienced in Canada.
Perhaps it’s the ancient stone cottages that dot the emerald green meadows, bordered by old fruit trees and covered by thick, rambling vines.
Or maybe the wonderful old church yards whose crumbling crosses are enhanced rather than dwarfed by the soaring peaks.
I absolutely love the profusion of flowers that spill over balconies and stone walls, making even the most imposing home cheerful and welcoming.
It’s the old alpine barns I love most, with their weathered timbers and lofts overflowing with golden hay. I long for afternoons spent cozy up there on an old quilt, reading about Heidi and WWII smugglers and hardy farmers eking out a living in these forbidding mountains.
I loved seeing these beautiful spots on a drive through the Italian Alps with my dear friend and editor, Margo, from the Travel Belles.
What fun we had driving wherever the mood took us, laughing when twisting lanes turned into tracks so precarious there was no way on earth we could traverse without endangering ourselves and anyone unfortunate enough to meet us. With 12-point turns aplenty we explored this gorgeous region near Vogogna, Italy. Our jaunts marked by frequent screeching of brakes as we took turns crying out, “STOP!”, then hopping out to take pictures of grazing cattle with huge bells around their necks, or simple picturesque villages.
We started our day with our traditional Vogogna breakfast: ugly eggs. They were my specialty, made in a wretched old skillet that turned any egg into a muddled mess no matter how much butter I used. We didn’t mind though, cuz they tasted great anyways, especially served over spinach stir-fried with sun-dried tomatoes. Perfect pre-road-tripping food. 🙂
Where is your favorite place to go for a drive?
Wow, such beautiful scenery and as usual, your photos show it off really well. 🙂
Julia
Thank you so much! 🙂 It was such a fun drive of discovery. 🙂
Oh I love your ugly eggs Krista. I don’t think I have a favourite place where I like to drive…
Awww, thank you, Cathy. 🙂 They really did taste good. 🙂
You find the beauty in everything.
I try very hard to, Chaya. 🙂 It’s those little things that keep me going. 🙂
When I lived in Vancouver, I use to love exploring the back roads behind and around the mountains. Spectacular views and hidden hide-aways were always guaranteed!
Oh how fun, Shantelle! What a gorgeous place to go exploring. 🙂
Such stunning photos, Krista…I’ve always wanted to go to Italy! What a perfect day this was for picture taking. And I have to say, I think your eggs look pretty delicious…on a bed of spinach is one of my favorite ways to eat eggs! 🙂
Thank you so much, Faith! 🙂 I hope you get to visit Italy very, very soon. I’d love to see YOUR pictures from such a trip. 🙂
Gorgeous pics. Luv that countryside too, maybe esp cuz I have family from there! Love the stone “shingles” on the roofs.
Thx for your note over “my side”. You are so sweet! I’ve been trying to spend less time w/ the computer since summer is here. But it’s so nice to catch up with you. xo!
I’m just so happy to see you around again, Paradis. 🙂 Your posts always make me happy and inspire me. 🙂
These are really great pics! I love the Alps!
Thanks so much, David! I really love them too. It doesn’t matter what part of Europe you see them, they’re always stunning. 🙂
Stunning!
Been there – did not talk photos like this!
What widget do you use to get your photos stacked on the right side like that?
🙂
V
Thank you, Valerie! 🙂 I actually just use the Collage tool in Picasa – you can download Picasa for free, and it’s one of the options included. 🙂
Can you believe I have never seen the Rockies, I have seen mountain ranges in New Zealand, South America and even the States but not my home country.
I DO believe it, Ayngelina, because I’ve never been to YOUR part of our beautiful Canada. 🙂
My favourite place to drive at the moment is south down through the Okanagan wine country, going off the main highway and exploring. Bring on the “ugly eggs” and lets hit the road.
You’ve got yourself a deal, Val! 🙂 I would LOVE that! 🙂
I’ve never seen the Italian Alps in person but in your photos they are astoundingly majestic! Glorious.
I’m so, so glad you like them, Joanne. 🙂 I had no idea what to expect, but I loved them. 🙂
Great pictures! Northern Italy and the Alps are on my bucket list, so this was fun to read. I love it that you just went wherever you felt like going, and that you stopped wherever you wanted for picture opportunities. It sounds like it was a very fun trip 🙂
Thank you so much, Ayelet! 🙂 I hope you get to go exploring there very, very soon. 🙂
What gorgeous landscapes! This place looks quite like Switzerland.
Cheers,
Rosa
I think it was only about 30 minutes from the Swiss border, Rosa, so that makes sense. 🙂
What wonderful photos! Locally, Bob and I are drawn to the pastoral simplicity of the Lorane Valley here in Oregon. It islovely, particularlyin the springtime. Have a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
I absolutely love driving in Oregon, Mary. You live in one of the most gorgeous states in the Union. 🙂
Oh I do love the Apls – especially in the summer. Looking at your pics reminds me of the awesome week we spent in Chamonix one summer – I loved it! And my faourite place to go for a drive is the Garden Route in South Africa!
I’ve reading about South Africa, watching movies about South Africa and even listening to an audio story set there. I would LOVE to visit your beautiful homeland one day. 🙂
Love the ugly eggs and the hay atop the barn.