SPB – Page 5

Italy – more Lake Como

August 14, 2025

It was TGIF in Italy and we were all excited for a day of relaxation!

We spent most of the day just hanging by the pool and the lake!

We had lunch at the Grill by the pool…

and then GJ and I had to take our turn jumping into the lake!

It was a top notch day!

We were supposed to go into town for dinner but all decided we’d rather just stay at the resort and eat at Terzo Crotto.

So many photo ops!

We had another wonderful dinner – despite the giant mosquitos – and Spencer got his fill of focaccia bread!

The next morning we had one final Villa D’Este breakfast…

and said goodbye to Lake Como.

We had one final stop in Italy before heading home!

Italy – more Lake Como

August 13, 2025

Thursday was maybe my favorite day of the trip! We started with breakfast by the lake…

and then took a full day boat tour of Lake Como! Our tour guide was so nice and informative. He showed us all the sights of the lake – including Clooney’s house! – and it could not have been better.

We stopped and walked around the Villa Del Balbianello which is where they filmed some of the Star Wars films as well as some James Bond scenes! It was beyond beautiful!

It was a little windy up there though!

Loved these trees at one of the houses on the island – some accessible only by boat!

We stopped for a fantastic lunch and took this photo featuring Robert’s hat. ha!

This is the life!

We also stopped and walked around Bellagio which was neat and very steep!

It was a very full and long day on the boat!

We returned around 4:00 and the kids couldn’t wait to swim and jump in the lake!

Robert was game for it too!

That night we had dinner “in town”. GJ and Samantha dressed to match the hotel!

Dinner was good and all I got from it were pics like this from the kids…

It was nice to walk to and from the restaurant and then walk around the hotel a bit that night.

I think we could all get used to that Villa D’Este life!

Italy – Lake Como

August 12, 2025

On Wednesday we got up and said goodbye to Florence…

Just adding this because I want to remember how pretty it was!

We had a driver take us to our next destination! We did make a pit stop at Ristorante La Rochetta for a wonderful – and very HOT – lunch!

Please enjoy this panoramic photo Maxwell took. ha!

We then hopped back in the van and I thought I was going to die it was so hot but the payoff was worth it when we finally arrived at Villa d’Este in Lake Como!! This stop was really the impetus of the entire trip. GJ and I had been to Villa d’Este many years ago and always wanted to return. I am happy to report that it lived up to my memories and then some! Our room was so nice and big!

We explored the grounds…

and took 1k photos…well, I made GJ take 1k photos of us to try and get some that made me happy. I can be difficult to please with photos…grateful for family members that put up with me.

The entire hotel is just a dream!

We dressed for dinner that night at Terzo Crotto at the resort…

and took even more photos!

Dinner was fantastic with perfect views of the lake…and the biggest mosquitos you’ve ever seen.

That night there was even a fireworks show that we could see from our room!

Perfecto indeed!

Lots more Como to come!

Italy – More Florence

August 11, 2025

On Tuesday we were ready for some adventure!

We were all a little unsure of the adventure planned but we gave it a go!

Yep! We hopped on bicycles and biked our way through the very busy and small streets of Florence! Our guide, Philippo, showed us the sites along the way…

and then we made our way outside of town which was very cool to see!

We biked our way up to Piazza Michelangelo which was not an easy ride – not necessarily difficult but uphill and challenging. I was very proud of our crew!!

The ride down was much easier!

The tour included lunch so we had a full, heavy sit down lunch complete with a bottle of wine that no one wanted! It was still nice…and Robert got in some good conversation with Philippo! ha! Robert is the best.

That afternoon we had tickets to go into the Accademia Gallery to see the David! Very impressive!

The museum had plenty of interesting statues to see!

Arter that we walked through the Duomo museum which provided a nice air-conditioned space to walk around for an hour! and some interesting art too!

That night we cancelled out on our fancy dinner and got some pizza instead! Good decision!

Of course we had gelato after!!

A fun day full of Florence adventure!

Italy – Florence

August 8, 2025

On Monday afternoon we walked all over Florence…

including finding my school from sophomore year of college and the street where I lived! I couldn’t remember our exact address so not sure which door was ours but we were close!

Razorbacks in Firenze!

Some important purchases were made…

including a special one on the Ponte Vecchio!

That evening we climbed the 465 winding steps to the top of the Duomo Bell Tower! The climb wasn’t that bad and the views were pretty impressive!

Robert catching a breeze halfway up!

Dinner that night was what Robert was most excited about – Trattoria Dall’Oste! Turns out there is more than one in Florence and I’m not entirely sure we actually ate at the one we had a reservation at but, it was an incredible meal! It was a little confusing to order but we ended up with some of the best food of the trip!