As I mentioned here, my husband and I just got back from an amazing vacation in Italy.  I have some family who live there (long story short- my great-grandmother's sister's family) and they showed us the Italian ropes for 10 wonderful days.  I have been fortunate enough to visit many places all over the world, but there is nothing that compares to having locals take you in, show you around, and teach you their culture. We were so blessed to have had this opportunity! 

We left on a Tuesday night and flew all night long to Amsterdam. We arrived in Amsterdam at about 11am, freshened up in the bathrooms, and enjoyed an authentic Dutch lunch at the airport Sbarro.  I remember us being kind of quiet with each other, not because we were tired (that too), but I think we had so much adrenaline and nerves and excitement and anticipation to see our friends that we were just without words.  We could not stop watching the clock during our 4 hour layover while we waited for our flight to Milano.

Our family lives outside of Ancona, Italy (eastern coast), but the best flight we could find flew into Milan.  Fortunately Onofrio (Onny) is originally from Milan so we were still in familiar territory for him.  We were so excited on the plane. Flying over the Alps (Italian lesson: the Alpi) was magnificent. We were like little kids waiting for Christmas morning.

 (photos above taken with iPhone. not bad eh?)

 While we had a great flight and no customs/luggage issues, we soon realized we had a little "black cat" (as Onny told us!) with us.  We land in Milan, get our baggage, see Onny at the gate and were sooo happy! We hugged and hugged and chatted and went about our way.  I think Luisa called Onny a few times (she had to work and couldn't make it) just to get the play-by-play every few minutes.  But when we get outside, we see that there is a nice monsoon in Milan, and Onny proceeds to tell us that it's supposed to rain in Milan the next few days. Originally we were going to tour Milan the first day, but since the weather was miserable we decided to stay the night in Milan and head to Ancona the next day. We were so excited just to be there, that we didn't care. It was going to be perfect.

So after we get our bearings and start down the interstate from the airport, Onny tells us that he's going to take us out for a "slow" dinner at this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant outside of Milan.  Which, by the way, the entire time in the restaurant, American music is playing. First, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" comes on (a classic and one of my favorites) and I said, "Paul! Listen!" to which Onny immediately says, "Yes, Tears for Fears. Very good."        

I heart him.

Anyway, we had risotto and beef and wine and cheese and all kinds of good stuff I would have never ordered on my own. It was delicious.  Here's a little video so you can hear Onny talk. It's just so cute. It's like a game of charades, I swear.  I can't even remember what he's trying to explain here, but it's just cute to hear his voice.

So Onny hooks us up with this adorable B&B and we kiss-kiss him goodnight.  We get settled in our room, pass out in our bed, and are wide awake at 2am.  So begins the jetlag.... No worries though because we are in freakin Italy!

We have an authentic Italian breakfast (espresso, pastries) and then hit the road to head back home with Onny.  As we are driving out of town, Onny says that he wants to show us a little town called Bergamo on our way out.  We of course agree, not knowing that we are about to see the coolest town ever. About Bergamo: there is a Bergamo-lower and a Bergamo-upper (Bergamo Alta). The lower part is just like any busy city, but the upper part is like a hidden treasure of shops and restaurants and an amazing view of Bergamo-lower. I loved this. Of course, it was rainy but still so enjoyable. 

pictures above taken by iPhone because of the rain 

We hang out here for just a couple of hours (and no, unfortunately I couldn't swing those adorable little Armani's...) and then head back home to Ancona.  It's about a 4 hour drive, and thankfully the weather was clearing up once we arrived in Ancona. We stopped by Luisa Style (Luisa's hair salon) and drove through the "big town" of Ripe (it's teeny tiny- so cute). Then we headed back to Onny's house where they prepared a homemade meal for us.  

 (Onny is a contractor and installed their kitchen.. isn't it cute?)

So, that's the beginning of our wonderful 10-day adventure. SO much more to come. Stay tuned.