A week in Italy

As most of you know, my husband and I recently set off from Sydney on our six-month European adventure (don’t hate us). We just arrived in the Motherland (the UK) and it’s so good to be (second) home! I thought I’d share a few pix with you from the week we just spent in Tuscany and Rome, on our way here.

We spent the first four days in Tuscany, staying here. The accommodation was rustic but comfortable and in the middle of the very pretty countryside. No internet for four whole days, I tell you! Apart from the fact that running your own business means you always want to be able to check your email just in case the world has ended, the break from social media and connectivity was actually lovely. I read half a book, I took lots of baths and walks (mainly because there was only one English TV channel and you can only watch so much CNN) and really relaxed and switched off.

But most of the time we were learning to cook with the super charming Chef Claudio. I can now confidently make ravioli, gnocchi (two types), spaghetti with clams, focaccia, baked fish and so much more. These were all very simple, Tuscan recipes made with local, seasonal ingredients, which made them very straightforward and tasty. I left inspired! I’m not a very adventurous cook but now I can’t wait to expand my dinner party repertoire beyond something out of Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals! We also explored some gorgeous little towns with cobbled streets, visited markets and butchers and tasted the local Chianti.

The weather, as you can see, was perfectly springlike and around 21 degrees most days.

We then spent three nights in Rome and did all the usual tourist things. It’s a very impressive and iconic city, of course, but I can’t say I loved it. For me, it didn’t have the charm of Venice or Paris, but it was great to experience it nonetheless. Every travel experience is worthwhile if you ask me, and you’ll never love everywhere you visit. And that’s ok.

No more travel for a couple of weeks now and a good chance to catch up on work (so far working remotely has been just fine) and spend some quality time with my family. Next trip is to the international furniture fair in Milan, thanks to Freedom Kitchens and Caesarstone. I’m sure I’ll have lots to share from there!

Ciao x