Italy: Del Brenna

Megan and Sebastian's jewelry shop, "Del Brenna", is located in the heart of the Piazza della Repubblica, the main piazza of Cortona. Where all of the action happens.  Wink, wink.

Their shop is nestled under the stone steps of the townhall called the Palazzo Comunale.  People of all ages sit on the steps and surrounding benches dotted throughout the piazza.  They soak in the Tuscan sun and socialize with the tourists and locals that walk by on the cobblestone streets.

What more do I have to say to convince you of its perfection?

Not. another. word.

Del Brenna Jewelry

Palazzo Comunale (Townhall)

Del Brenna is tucked right under the stone steps.

Italy: Cortona Arrival

We said "arivaderchi" to Venice and hopped on the train to Cortona, a little slice of Heaven nestled on a hillside in Tuscany, Italy.  The clouds parted and a bevy of birds covered in glitter swooped down from the sky when our train rolled into the station.  The place was that dreamy.

But, not only did we love Cortona for the great food, scenery, and townspeople.  We loved Cortona because we received red carpet treatment.  I quickly understood how celebrities must feel.  And, I quickly realized that I could get used to a lifetime red carpet treatment.  I wanted... no, DESERVED it.  (I hope you read that as emphatically as I wrote it.)

The red carpet rolled out for us because of two people.... Megan and Sebastian.  

Ben's cousin, Megan, lives in Cortona.  She's originally from the States, but studied abroad in Italy about eight years ago.  While there, she met an irresistible Italian man (Sebastian) and married him.  They work with his family at their jewelry shop his family has owned and operated for generations in Cortona.  Sebastian, Megan, and Sebastian's family design and create every piece of jewelry in the shop.

With Megan and Sebastian, Ben and I dined at the best restaurants. Chefs served us special meals.  Restaurant owners joined us at our tables.   Specialty wines made by monks appeared in our glasses. Locals greeted us in the street.  We appreciated every, single moment.  Who wouldn't?

Megan and Sebastian

Italy: Glass Making

We took a 45 minute boat ride from Venice to the neighboring tiny islands of Murano and Burano.  Both islands are famous for glassmaking.  We visited workshops and studios where men made beautiful works of art with glass.

Murano (or Burano) from a distance

The process to make glassware did not seem easy.  I got exhausted from watching and standing within 50 feet of the fiery kiln during the 15 minute presentation.  The men seemed to handle the heat and the equipment pretty easily.  I credited them for being slightly tougher than me.

The glass artwork they created was worth every Euro (or American dollar).

Glass Making

Italy: Venice Eye Candy

Here are a few pictures of the views we enjoyed while traveling down the Grand Canal on the water bus in Venice.

Italy: Glamor Shot

I snapped this photo of Ben while riding a "water bus" through Venice. Venice had no streets, which meant no buses or cars or public transportation in the traditional sense.  Instead, they had long boats called "water taxis" and "water buses" to transport people to different places the city.

For example, we wanted to get from St. Mark's Basilica to our hotel. We hopped on a public water bus and rode it around the Grand Canal until we reached the stop closest to our hotel.  The water bus stopped at umpteen points along the Grand Canal, and commuters stayed on that boat or switched to other boats that traveled to different canals.

The water bus let us see the city from a different viewpoint and it was pretty cheap.  Like any city bus, it got crowded and it took a long time to go around the city to pick up passengers.  Overall, though, good experience.

Return from the Holidays

I want to apologize for the lack of posts over the holidays.  Schedules got a little hectic. Opportunities to sleep late abounded.  And, the temptation to gorge on homemade desserts overcame me daily.  The holiday break consisted of always doing one of three things: visiting friends and family, sleeping, or eating myself into a food coma.

I plan to post regularly again this week.