It is a cold, dark and windy day in Queensland, so I’m escaping to a summer morning in Italy when the sun was warm, the breezes cool, and we had a whole day to do whatever we liked.
On such a day a leisurely breakfast on the sun-drenched terrace was essential. We lingered long over fresh strawberries and toasted ciabatta topped with fried eggs or spread with Nutella. How lovely it was to be outside in our pjs, talking for ages with dear friends as the birds twittered cheerily in the orchards below us.
After breakfast we piled into our rental car and headed down the hills near Perdifumo, wending our way past ancient villas, lush olive groves, and roadsides carpeted in a profusion of wildflowers.
We stopped often, spilling out of the car to stretch our legs and soak in the views of emerald hills and cerulean skies.
The road was narrow and rutted, twisting and turning down the hillside heading towards the Adriatic Sea.
At last we saw it, vivid blue against the sandy beaches and red-tiled rooftops of the seaside town of Santa Maria.
We meandered our way through the unfamiliar streets until we found a parking spot, then hauled our bits and bobs down to the beach, eager to kick off our shoes and plunge into the cool, clear water glistening in the early morning sunlight.
What a jolly time we had on the beach that morning: swimming, tanning, hiking up and down the beach, reading under a bright blue umbrella, napping happily in the sunshine, taking pictures like mad. 🙂
I loved the wildflowers growing by the road, little kids bathing suits hanging out to dry, and the rocky shore that rose up on either side of pristine sand, the water aglow with lime green seaweed and gold lichen clinging to the stones.
As much as I love these wild winter days in Australia, I can’t wait for spring and summer to arrive with brilliant sunshine, blue skies, and long days to putter and adventure in.
What do you love most about summer?
You sure get around – hahaha.
Love the photos – and Italy is one of my favourite places – know the Adriatic sea well!
🙂
V
Oh that’s lovely, Valerie! I didn’t know you were an Italy-lover too. 🙂 Wouldn’t it be fun to meet up there one day? 🙂
You make me want to go even more. My airline ticket is purchased, but my suitcase is not yet packed. Several more months to go before my travel weary feet are soothed by the Adriatic Sea.
I am SO ridiculously excited for you, Val. 🙂 And I can’t wait to hear all about it and see your beautiful pictures. 🙂
How to feel homesick for sunny Italy – read your gorgeous blog post – that’s how Krista! As usual, brilliant photos. What do I love about summer? The sun. Warm weather, long days. The occasional G&T…
Thank you so much, Cathy – though I didn’t mean to make you feel homesick! 🙂 A G&T sounds absolutely perfect on a sunny day like this. 🙂
Like you Krista I am a summer person and dread the onset of winter, so what better place to escape to virtually than Italy on a summers day. Thankyou for your ongoing support of my blogging it is appreciated xx
I agree completely, Linda. It is so dark and wet and cold these days, and I cannot wait for spring to arrive. 🙂 You are most welcome – I love your blogs! 🙂
Oh happy days! You’ve covered alot of ground the past couple of years Krista. Lucky you – and lucky us!
They were happy days, @9d73767d10227efff04c7307e331304c:disqus 🙂 Makes me happy all over again just thinking about them. 🙂
All of these beautiful warm, happy photos would certainly help me get through a cold grey morning!
I’m glad, Joanne. 🙂 They sure helped me! 🙂
This is has always been one of your most amazing sounding trips to me! I know how you feel, it’s just it’s so ridiculously hot here right now, I can’t wait for a cool spell and am looking forward to fall. I’m thinking I’m a spring and fall person – so we both should be hitting a good time of year in couple of months! 🙂
YES!! Hooray for spring and fall – my favorite times of year too. 🙂