7 Days in Tuscany: A Photojournal

A tavola non si invecchia. – Italian proverb.
Translation: At the table with good friends and family you do not become old.

I love Italy. There is so much to love, especially for enjoying the values of good food and wine, and the wealth of family.

Last week, my husband and I and our three sons spent ten days in Italy. Since we live in Prague as expats, we could drive in and through Italy’s beautiful regions, from the Alpine Dolomites to the colorful wine regions. For me, a week retreat along Italy’s coast with my family is pretty much paradise … We spent much time on the beach and around a weathered kitchen table, enjoying the best Tuscany has to offer. It was divine!

Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy

We ventured for the first time into the UNESCO World Heritage area called the Cinque Terre, and stayed in a village called Monterosso al Mare. The Cinque Terre, along Italy’s Northwestern coast, is known for its centuries-old villages nestled high among the rocks of the Ligurian Sea, along the Mediterranean. The Italian seafood dishes, the house wines, the clanging of the town bells, and the stunning sunrise linger in my memory.

Sunrise in the Cinque Terre, Italy

As we left Cinque Terre on teetering roads over a thousand meters above the sea, we passed into Tuscany by Pisa and settled into our favorite spot along the Mare in Tuscany’s southwestern seaside region called the Maremma. I have written about the region before (click here), as this was our third year to spend time there in October. And, wow, there are not many words to describe the beautiful weather and countryside … so, some photos to share:

Sunrise in Maremma, Tuscany, Italy

The view from one side of my favorite Italian kitchen: Capalbio, Tuscany, Italy

The view from the other side of my favorite Italian kitchen: the Mediterranean, Tuscany, Italy

the Cinque Terre

Maremma landscape

Autumn Colors of Tuscany, Olive Groves and Vineyards

Twilight in Tuscany

Sunset over the Mediterranean

Next week, I’ll share more photos, including Siena and Rome.

Question for you: Where is your favorite family retreat?