Viva Italia!

In July, Nate and I went to Italy. Nate had a conference in Rome at which he gave a presentation about his research in "cancer genes in zebra fish." Sounds fascinating, eh? Well, I can't tell you a thing about it because I wasn't there for it (wasn't invited), but we were able to go out a week early and spend some time with just the 2 of us touring the beautiful countryside. It was molto romantic and relaxing. Then I hopped on a plane home to be with the kiddles and Nate stayed on for another 10 days. Seriously, sometimes his job is so rough.

FLORENCE

Duomo

Atop the duomo

(This is my supermodel, wind-in-my-hair look.)

Eating in the Piazza del Grano after visiting the Uffizi Gallery.

• PISA
  

• CINQUE TERRE
  Five villages along the rugged portion of coast on the Mediterranean Sea.
  

The trail that winds from town to town. In all, a 5 hour walk.
Completely breathtaking.
Our absolute favorite part of the trip.

Spectacular views along the way.

This is the B & B where we stayed in Monterrosso al Mare. Really, it wasn't that nice. But this wall sure was pretty.

Scuba diving in Riomaggiore.

Also known as the day Erin almost drowned.

(Folks, it's imperative that you fully inflate your BCD when on the surface.)

Also ALSO, my 33rd birthday.

• LAKE COMO

(No we did not see George Clooney.)

Residence La Limonera where we stayed in Bellagio.

Castle of Vezio

• DANG (dang!) GOOD EATS
  

Nate's fave- a seaside restaurant in Vernazza, Cinque Terre.

My fave in Varenna on Lake Como

Doesn't that look yummy? (It was.)

And no trip to Italy is complete without a daily dose of gelato.

The pistacchio/ hazelnut/ chocolate combo is beyond delectable.

(How is gelato sooooooo much better than American ice cream??)

Nate waiting for a train. Apparently, if you stand at the edge and look down the tracks, it comes much faster.

• NATE'S ADVENTURE SANS ERIN
  

Pompeii. Just so we're clear...I think death by volcano sounds horrific.

Can't wait to do it all again someday.