Buonasera!
Last week Cliff and I popped over to Italy to explore some places around the Bay of Naples . . .
. . . and enjoy some local cuisine
we explored the ancient streets of Pompeii . . .
were blown away by the frecoes at Oplontis and Herculaneum . . .
the skilful decorative brushwork . . .
the observations from nature . . .
as lively as the finches that twitter and flutter over the ruins today
we walked on 2000 year old floors that would look great in an interior today
the brooding presence of Versuvius was always within sight . . . a violent thunder storm raged around us as we stood where Pliny had watched the eruption in AD79
we ventured into Naples – down narrow streets like deep gorges surging with a mix of sharp modernity, decaying grandeur and an undercurrent of menace
and there in Naples I discovered the delight of a crispy, custardy, lemony sweet Sfogliatella
we stayed in a beautiful old town house
a place for tired feet at the end of each day
and almost next door to the best Gelataria we've ever found . . . the flavours we tried (six!) were superb, this one is quite possibly the best pistachio ice-cream in the whole world – it may not green (because it doesn't contain any artificial colourings) but it tastes sublime!
six days was enough to recharge the batteries
Celia
xx
It looks amazing! Glad you had a wonderfully refreshing time
ReplyDeleteLooks fabulous! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful - glad you enjoyed your break - how could you not!
ReplyDeleteSounds fabulous. Love the house cat!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, so envious Celia! I love Italy so much! Thank you for the trip xx
ReplyDeleteAll the things I love about Italy beautifully encompassed in your post.
ReplyDeleteHow utterly lovely, I was lucky enough to go to Florence last year and now it's in my soul :) x
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing those lovely photos. I'm sure it was a trip to remember.
ReplyDeleteOh my! That all looks so lovely. The paintings and the tile work are splendid.
ReplyDeleteWonderful
ReplyDeleteMUST get out there sometime
Oh how beautiful Italy is, lucky you. I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time. That gelato looks sublime.
ReplyDeleteOh Yes! what a wonderful trip. Italians really know how to make ice cream don't they?
ReplyDeleteYou always find such wonderful places to visit! I enjoyed every photo but the one of the floor has captured my imagination. I'm currently doing some glass work and it has the look of a piece of collaged stained glass to me. You've given me an idea....
ReplyDeleteCelia, I can well imagine how this trip did get all batteries recharged! Quite a variety of inspiration for all the senses.
ReplyDeleteThe photo of Vesuvius in a storm is remarkable...very moody indeed. On a totally different plate, sfogliatella is one of my very favorite pastries. I might have to seek one out around here very soon, and pretend I am in Italy.
The mosaics are so beautiful!
Thank you also for the link to the place where you all stayed. It looks perfect. xo
How wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous trip, I love that mosaic floor and the pastry looks very yummy!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWonderful images! I would say that I am jealous but I am, in fact, going to Italy myself toward the end of May. It just so happens that the Giro d'Italia goes right past the house we are renting...
ReplyDeleteLucky you! It looks gorgeous, and came with it's own kitty cat too :)
ReplyDeleteWe're hoping to visit Italy next summer, I am excited about the possibility; I have been to many other countries in Europe, but never Italy, and it is a constant sore point that Guy has been there and I have not :)
Carole