I’m going to Italy for two weeks. I leave this weekend. First stop: Venice. Hitting Cinque Terra, driving through Tuscany (so going the “Under the Tuscan Sun” route by way of Cortona and Arezzo) to Florence, then rounding it off in Rome. Wine, leather, cobblestone, and sunflowers… all that with a gorgeous blond by my side. Neither of us speak a lick of Italian. But lick an Italian… well that’s a whole ‘nother story and certainly one worth exploring. Rawwrrr.

I’ve been to Italy before. I went to Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Positano, and spent way too much time bored in Capri. Dear sweet readers, I’ve been to Italy, so I know anywhere I go, the food is great. I’m turning to you to ask if you know of any amazing amazing over the top places/restaurants/bars/views “must sees.” On my last trip, my favorite thing was lunch at a hole-in-the-wall unsuspecting, communal seating, restaurant in Florence for lunch. Sostanza I believe. Not at all touristy. When I travel, I avoid the touristy bits and prefer instead the smaller streets where I’m left to believe I’ve discovered something new. God I love to travel… it’s full of possibilities. I’m very excited.