Tuscany, Italy | Travel

The last leg of our Italy trip was beautiful Tuscany! Specifically Pienza, with some visits to Montepulciano, Montichiello and Assisi. We had more amazing weather, which made the incredible views even more breathtaking.

My favorite part of the whole trip was a traditional, family-style, Italian dinner hosted by our awesome agritourism B&B, Castle Spedaletto. We had NO idea when we showed up for the dinner that we'd be "starring" as extras in a Swedish kids TV show. I use "starring" loosely because the only requirements were eating pizza and olives and not laughing TOO hard at the turn our night had taken. Hilarious. It was one of the funniest and coolest things I've ever been a part of, and you can catch some screen shots of our five seconds of fame below.

Becoming an actress aside, we got to share dinner and conversation with people from all over the world that night. What a fantastic way to end the trip!

And finally, our acting debut on Geografens Testamente. I'm laughing so hard right now remembering this night. We tried to speak all the Italian we knew around that table, and I was crying it was so ridiculous and random and hilarious. Now I want to visit Sweden and meet more incredibly nice Scandinavians.

My parents!

That view was incredible!

Where we stayed: Agriturismo Castello di Spedaletto (I can't say enough great things about this place!)

Cinque Terre, Italy | Travel

I've had a case of wanderlust lately. It might be the foot of snow outside or the fact that I'm 30 weeks pregnant and don't have plans to travel anytime soon, but I'm still dreaming. Dreaming and remembering our trip to Italy last year. And swooning over the photos from that beautiful place.

I have to share the second leg of our Italian adventure with you all. We traveled to Cinque Terre after Venice and I think it was my most favorite part of the trip. Cinque Terre is a region made up of five towns along the Mediterranean Sea and let me tell you, it is magical. I'm already plotting a return trip here one day (maybe our 20th anniversary??). We got to hike between two of the towns, and visit the rest by train, and each one had its own charm.

We stayed in Monterosso al Mare, the westernmost town, and while it was a bit chilly when we were visiting in April, I can just imagine how many more tourists flock to the beach town in the summer months. Cinque Terre is a little hard to get to, but it's so, SO worth the effort. If you ever have the chance or find yourself in Italy, do make time to check out this little slice of heaven along the Italian Riviera.

Where we stayed: At an Airbnb in Monterosso that was clean but nothing special. If we ever go back, I'd love to stay here!
Where we ate: Cantina di Miky (loved it so much we went twice!), Moretto, Belvedere, Wonderland Bakery, Pasticceria Laura, and just about every gelato shop we could find!
What we did: Hiked between Monterosso and Vernazza (hands down the coolest thing we did on the trip!), took a train to the rest of the towns (Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) and explored, did a couple of Rick Steves' walks in Monterosso and Manarola (evidently Steves chooses to vacation in Cinque Terre—go figure!), and explored the lemon and olive groves at Buranco

Venice, Italy | Travel

I got to visit Venice once before this trip. I was 20, studying abroad in Luxembourg and traveled to Italy for a week with six other girls. My memories of that trip involve getting lost in the outskirts of Venice, wheeling our suitcases along an obscure road for ... awhile, staying in a bubbly RV-type structure at a campground because that's all we could afford, walking around in the rain, and eating lots of pizza and gelato. It was hilarious.

This trip was so different. Except for the pizza and gelato. :)

Nathan and I traveled to Italy in April with my parents, and while we got lost plenty of times along the canals of Venice (seriously, that city is confusing), we slept in an actual building, the weather was phenomenal and I appreciated the city so much more. Venice is mesmerizing.

Where we stayed: At this cute apartment near Piazza San Rocco
Where we ate: Pizzeria Ristorante Al Profeta, Pasticceria Rizzardini, Grom Gelato, Gelateria il Doge
What we did: Toured Saint Mark's Basilica, the Church of Saint Roch and Santa Maria della Salute; took a gondola ride (we had to!); fed the birds at Saint Mark's Square (well, Nathan did!); crossed the Accademia and Rialto Bridges; window shopped and spent lots of time people watching at cafes along the canals

Kristen & Dan | Palm Beach Aruba Wedding

Kristen and Dan traveled from Chicago to Aruba to get married in April. And Nathan and I were lucky enough to photograph the celebration. (Talk about a pinch-me moment!)

Wedding in Aruba made perfect sense for these two. They're laid back, fun and legitimately have smiles on their faces all the time. I even remember Kristen saying, "I love to smile," while she was getting ready on her wedding morning. :) All that and they got engaged in Aruba!

That happy island got a whole lot happier when Kristen and Dan said, "I do." I've never documented a more joyful wedding, and it will go down as one of the highlights of my photography career. Thanks a million for having us, Kristen and Dan!

Ceremony: Santa Filomena Catholic Church
Reception: Aruba Marriott Resort