I’m about to make you all jealous. And when I say that I’m going to make you all jealous, I mean that you might, in fact, hate me a little bit after reading this blog.
A few months back, my mom called me out of the blue (which wasn’t really that out of the blue considering that we talk to each other about every five minutes of every day) and said that she wanted to plan about a one-week-long trip for the two of us to take in the semi-near future. This is something that we’ve never done together, so she wanted it to be special — and the parameters were, to an existent, open-ended. Perhaps a train trip across Canada? Maybe a cruise through Alaska? Ummm, yeah. Let’s go…. Now. My bags are packed!
Well, after some extensive research on the possibilities of places to go, we finally settled on the ultimate little getaway. For about the first two weeks in May, my mother and I will be traveling to Tuscany, Italy for an 11-day culinary, wine tasting and hiking adventure. So, in other words, we’re headed right on over to paradise! And even though I still haven’t comprehended that this is actually a reality and not some crazy awesome daydream, I’m so excited that I can barely keep my jaw off the floor.
This journey will begin in Italy’s stunning city of Florence, where we will meet up with our tour group and spend our first night. The following morning, we all get shuttled into Tuscany – and will kick things off in proper fashion by having lunch in the middle of a Chianti vineyard. Sounds terrible, doesn’t it? We will also be treated to olive oil tastings, honey tastings, and trips to world-renowned Italian butchers. Each night, we will cook with a different chef. Each day, we will meander throughout the vineyards and fields of sunflowers. It is going to be blissful.
Oh, right. I almost forgot to mention that we’re going…. truffle hunting. Yes, you read that correctly.
I will be keeping a daily written journal and photo journal of this experience. I can’t wait to share every little detail with you upon my return back to the States. That way, you’ll be able to live vicariously through me!
Ciao, Bella!