La mia Italia

My first time seeing the Colosseum up close. I had seen it when we arrived via cab, but only through the windows. My mother and I had just settled into our hotel room and decided to wander and see where we ended up. Can you think of a better first site to see in Rome?- Rome, June 2011

I have done burlesque, so you had to figure I would get a kick out of this shop!- Rome, June 2011

I know what you're thinking...McDonalds?!? Yes, McDonalds! What can I say? I got a kick out of the different menu over there. I mean, pistachio and hazelnut McFlurrys beat oreo and brownie any day in my book!!- Rome, June 2011

Here I am at Castel Sant'Angelo. You're probably wondering what I'm doing..well, I'll tell you. I am trying to reenact the end of Puccini's Tosca, when Floria Tosca leaps to her death from atop the castel singing one of the most beautiful phrases
" O Scarpia, Avanti a Dio!!"- Rome, June 2011

The view of the pool from our balcony. Ischia, July 2011

You had to figure I'd throw in a Nutella picture at some point, right?!?!- Ischia, July 2011

Taking an evening stroll in Ischia.-Ischia, July 2011

The Trevi Fountain at night...one of my favorite places to just sit and listen to the water. Rome- November 2012

Riding the carousel at Piazza Navona during the Christmas Market.- Rome, December 2012 

Looking at the Arno River from the Ponte Vecchio, where Lauretta in Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi" sings "andrei sul Ponte Vecchio, ma per buttermi in Arno!!" (I'll go to the Ponte Vecchio and through myself in the Arno). Believe it or not, this is actually a comedic opera.- Florence, December 2012

The Nativity Scene in front of Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly referred to as The Duomo.-Florence, December 2012

A perfect view of Il Duomo from atop the famous Uffizi.- Florence, December 2012 

Our typical breakfast when in Italy...cornettos, cappuccino and in the winter, cioccolata calda. - Florence, December 2012

A procession in front of Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore.- Florence, December 2012 

The Christmas tree at Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore.- Florence, December 2012 

I constantly joked to my mother about people taking such serious looking photos in front of historical sites..so here I am doing the exact same thing in front of the Trevi Fountain..as a joke of course!- Rome, December 2012

The Christmas tree in Saint Peters Square.- Vatican City, December 2012 

A little sneak at the preparation of the Nativity scene inside Saint Peter's Basilica.- Vatican City, December 2012 

Michelangelo's Pieta in Saint Peter's Basilica. Whenever I see this glorious sculpture, it brings me to tears.- Vatican City, December 2012 

No trip to Vatican City is complete without sending a letter back home through the Vatican post office!!- Vatican City, December, 2012 

Oh, did you want some of this gelato that I enjoyed along Via del Tritone?- Rome, December 2012 

The Colosseum and its Christmas tree at night.- Rome, December 2012 

The Christmas tree in front of Teatro dell'Opera di Roma.- Roma, December 2012