Back to reality...

Just back from Italy and am running in circles trying to upload photos, unpack and catch-up on everything. It was a fabulous trip and my friend's wedding was jaw-droppingly amazing.  Unfortunately, my camera broke on the 3rd night so I have been begging friends for their pictures which will hopefully give you a peek into my splendid week...

First stop: Florence
It was my first time in Florence and I was blown away by the architecture, art, culture, and most importantly the food and wine. We rushed to the Accademia to see the David when we first arrived and I was blown away. The highlight of the trip though was our time spent across the Arno at the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, perusing antique and stationary stores, and downing pastas at local cafes. I always felt like I was less a tourist and more immersed in the locals life when on that side of the river and I was never disappointed.

Crossing the Arno...

A great shot in the Boboli Gardens...

The best pizza with salami on the trip and cheap prosecco by the glass - heavenly!

Why Italy is great: shopping and art all in one place!

2nd stop: Cortona (sight of the wedding)
For those of you who have seen Under the Tuscan Sun, you are familiar with Cortona in Tuscany. If you are travelling to Cortona by train you will see a walled-in medieval town perched on a hilltop high above everything else in sight. It is breathtaking from below so you can only imagine the views once you arrive at the Piazza Garibaldi which serves as the entry point and an amazing look-out spot.

Within the walls, Cortona is composed of pedestrian-only streets. The narrow cobblestone streets are lined with adorable patisseries, cafes, wine stores, flower shops, cookware and more. The restaurants were terrific and afterwards you could buy a delicious bottle of wine for 5 euros and drink it on the steps in the main square! It was definitely the perfect home base for the wedding party.

The sunflowers in Cortona blew my mind - they were huge and so vibrant!

The spot of our late night hang-outs...

A short drive away in the countryside of Cortona is Il Falconiere, a 17th century villa that is now home to the Relais and Chateaux hotel and vineyard owned by the Baracchi family. This was the sight of the wedding as well as a great wine tasting and vineyard tour. True to the Relais's name there is a falcon on sight, which was a highlight of the wedding for many of the male guests attending the wedding!

The sprawling Baracchi vineyards...

Inside the cellar, where the wine is fermenting...

Tasting straight from the barrel (not much taste to the wine yet!)

Enjoying wine in Il Falconiere's wine vault...

The falcon on the Baracchi wine bottle...and below as the boys cautiously pose with it and Il Falconiere's owner, Riccardo Baracchi. 

A peek into the wedding...

The church...

A great tradition in Italy is for all of the guests to exit the church first and when the Bride & Groom leave  the guests toss rose petals over their heads...

Arriving at the cocktail hour in style...

Cheers to the happy couple!!