…are we going in 2017?
We’ve been making travel plans, and have some great trips in the works! In March, we’ll be heading up to Napa for a long weekend to celebrate my 60th. We haven’t been since 2010, when I snapped the photo above during an early morning hot air balloon ride. Le monsieur has been busy making dinner reservations and we’ll definitely visit some wineries. Still mapping out rest of the itinerary….
Later in the Spring, we are going back to Italy! We visited for the first time in 2011, and have been wanting to go back ever since. I’ve noticed that the second visit to any destination is often SO much better than the first. We return better oriented, and with more of a sense of the place. We’ve often ticked off the list the most obvious tourist spots, and on subsequent visits can be more targeted with how we spend our time.
On that first trip to Italy, we spent the most time in Florence, sandwiched between 2-1/2 days in Rome and finishing with 3 days in Venice. I feel as though we gave Rome short shrift, so we’re going back for a few more days this time, and will have a more focused itinerary. (I swear, that first visit we spent an entire afternoon walking in circles trying to find one particular gelateria that our neighbor had insisted we try…)
Then we’re heading up to Lake Como for three days, as it’s been on my travel wish list for decades. We’ve learned to pace ourselves on these trips, and build in a couple of days that are a little more restful, and Lake Como would seem to be a good spot for this.
After that: Venice! I had not expected much from Venice before our first visit, but fell in love with it. Yes, there are the crowded touristy bits, but it’s SO easy to get off the beaten path and this city is truly magical. On our first visit, I’d tripped over a lintel in a dark church and hurt my knee, so lost the first day there because I wasn’t able to get around easily. There’s so much I still want to see here.
We may take another shorter trip in the fall. We’re batting around some ideas, and keeping an eye on airfares. We’ve been thinking about Vienna/Salzburg, but haven’t yet decided.
I’ve begun compiling a Paris City Guide with my recommendations; should have the first installment posted in a week or two.
Do you like to re-visit favorite travel destinations?
Lake Como image via Pinterest.
Packing List: March In Wine Country
