lake como, Italy

A few weeks ago Gigi and I traveled to Italy to attend her older sister’s wedding. The trip was amazing and filled with some of the best food I have ever eaten and the prettiest views I have ever seen. I already can’t wait to go back someday to these exact places.

we left Sunday afternoon from Raleigh-Durham International airport ready for the 8+ hour flight ahead

and arrived in Milan, Italy Monday morning

we taxied over from Milan to Cernobbio, Italy

and arrived at the Villa D’Este hotel

we took the morning to explore the grounds and then had bellinis by the pool. One of my favorite things about Gigi is the fact that she always raises her glass and says “cheers” whenever we have drinks. It might be a small thing but it always reminds me to celebrate the little moments of life and I’ve started doing it because of her.

I’m still not sure how we convinced the front desk host to let us take a boat out, but Gigi and I took to the open water by ourselves on one of the motor boats – she was the captain and I was the first mate.

we walked into town to a local pizzeria and each had our own

this was my favorite restaurant of the whole trip because of the exquisite wisteria. The restarurant name itself is “Glicine”which means “Wisteria” in Italian. I had never seen anything like it. Dining under this canopy of lavender colored blooms felt like a dream. The next day I went back so I could see what I deemed “the eighth wonder of the world” in the daylight.

and visit this cute pup Nelson

we went for another boat ride with Gigi’s parents and picked up her aunt and uncle from a different hotel just in time for sunset

Gigi and her beautiful mama, Belle