The Goodmans Move to Italy

Cinque Terre

2010-09-07T14:54:00.000-07:00

Meditterrean Coastline

This past Labor Day goes down in traveling history for Aaron and I!! We had the privilege of visiting one of the most beautiful destinations in the world: Cinque Terre!! Cinque Terre literally translates to "five lands" and is comprised of five unmodernized and charming villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. This villages can only be reached by boat or train. Many of the houses and stores are actually built into the cliffs and rocky coastline.

Village of Riomaggiore

View from our Hike!

Hiking through the Vineyards

Enjoying the Hike!

Beautiful View from the Cliffs

Enjoying the town we stayed in Monterosso al Mare

Riomaggiore

This region is very well known for its pesto, olives, seafood and wine- we sure ate plenty of it!!!! YUM!!

The pictures just don't do it justice. This is by far my favorite city that Aaron and I have visited.

Hiking with friends through Cinque Terre!! Killer Hike!

Historic ruins we came across on our hike!

Verona, Italy and Casa di Giuletta

2010-07-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Discovering Verona

There were so many things that I loved about Verona. I always wondered about the city from which my favorite Starbucks blend was inspired!! This was definitely the city for the die-hard Romantic and for any one with a vivid imagination. Beauty and History were undeniable in Verona with its Renaissance gardens, historic "Teatro" and Casa di Giuletta.

The Infamous Balcony of Giuletta

May it be Fiction or not one can't help but imagine the story of Romeo and Juliet as it took place from this rumored balcony.

The Giuletta Statue

It is a belief that one must rub her left bosom for a long and prosperous love life.

All of the Love Letters to Giulletta!!

They were covering all the walls inside the castle's entry way and the stairway leading to the balcony.

Giardino Giusti

I like to call this "the real life secret garden." At first glance this renaissance style garden seems like an endless maze of statues and hedges but once you begin to explore you find so much more. There is a path that takes you all the way to the top for breath-taking views of the entire city of Verona.

A Date with Pinocchio??

Little Pinocchio threw down his coloring book and tried to take me for a cappuccino! I thinks he was working the crowd!

Farewell Verona

Asiago, Italy: The Motherland of Formaggio (Cheeses)

2010-07-07T17:45:00.001-07:00

One word sums up Asiago: Hospitality. The people there went out of their way to make us feel welcome. One of the local restaurants opened early just to serve us lunch. The locals also went out of their way giving us directions, free samples and drinks. We also received a very warm welcoming at one of the world's most notorious cheese factories: Caseificio Pennar. One of the employees gave us our very own private tour. Normally, you have to book an appointment way in advance.

Center of Asiago

Downtown Asiago

Apparently, Asiago was land that used to belong to Austria. Austria's influence is seen through all of the town's architecture.

Asiago Farmland

Not a bad place to be a cow:)

The Caseificio Pennar Cheese Factory is located in the highlands of Asiago at approx. 3,500ft. Their entire production process takes place within the highlands. They have received numerous international awards for their quality and supremacy.

The Glorious Cheese Shop

Our tour guide Alberto went out of his way to make us feel welcome.

The Cheese Making Process

Thousand's and Thousand's wheels of Cheese!

The vineyards of Villa Sceriman

2010-04-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

Nestled back behind the hills of Northern Italy, lies the most amazing historical villa, called Villa Sceriman. Last weekend, My friend Lori and I had the opportunity to visit the vineyard. The villa has an extensive history behind it with some of its structures dating back to the 12th and 14th century. I had some of the best wine I have ever had in my life. My favorite was a "Prosecco" which is a sparkling white wine and a "Vino Rosso" which was merlot. They also had amazing cheeses and fresh home grown olives.

Vineyards of Villa Sceriman export approx. 250,000 bottles of Wine per yr.

Inside the Villa. They sold fresh cheese, olives, honey, and lots of other delicious items!!

"Ladies of Wysteria Lane" There was Wysteria everywhere!! Smelled soooo good!

Our First Trip to Venice

2010-04-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

All of the cliches are true.... Venice is one of the most romantic places in the world. I actually got tears in my eyes when I first saw it. I have only dreamed of spending the day in Venice, Italy with Aaron. We ate lunch on the canal and then went for a gondola ride. It was really surreal to experience a dream turned into reality.

Gondola Ride through Venice

Lunch on the Grand Canal

View From the Gondola

Having Fun with the Piegons

This man was the most adorable server ever! He was singing when came up to our table!

Our Gondolier was a trip! When we told him we were from Tennessee, he said "Oh! The Elvis!!" He also liked to say spaghetteeeeee followed by an infectious grin, before he took our picture.

An Amateur Photographer's Dream..........

Having Fun on the Streets of Venice with my friend Lori

Practicing Our Cover for Italian Vogue:)

Loving on my honey after he suprised me with a a new handmade scarf.

Saying Goodbye or as the Italians would say "Arrivederci!"

2 Weeks Notice

2010-02-09T09:12:00.001-08:00

Due to lack of passports and visas, our time in Tennessee has been extended!! We will be here for an additional two weeks. We aren't too bummed about the change in travel arrangements. It just means that we will have additional time with friends and family. Todd might get to fly in warmer weather which will be nice as well.

We have enjoyed spending this winter here in TN bc it has actually seemed like a really winter! Snow and all!!

Bon Voyage Party

2010-01-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

My best friend Maren gave us a wonderful "Bon Voyage Party" last night. It was great to be able to say our goodbyes to some of our favorite people. We really enjoyed catching up and having some good laughs with old friends. Everyone shared their favorite memories about us.

There were definitely some embarrassing moments that some of our friends felt compelled to share. We had fun rolling with the punches though.

We can't begin to tell you how much we will miss everyone. Our friends are as close to our hearts as our family. We have known many of Nashville friends for ten years or more!

Thanks to those of you who took the time to attend our party. We felt so blessed to feel your love and admiration. Please know that you will always have a piece of our hearts no matter the distance between us.

If you were unable to attend the party, please know you were missed! Feel free to share any stories that you may have on this post. It will be great to read them when we are feeling a little homesick.

photos by Paul Nicholson

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulnich/4299945952/

Todd's move to Italy

2009-12-30T20:07:00.000-08:00

It will definitely be a challenging experience moving Todd to Italy. It turns out Todd has to go to to fly into Milan instead of Venice. Venice no longer accepts furry companions at their airport. Not fair!! Dogs like Gondolas too. However, Todd is very fashion-forward so he should fit in just fine at the Milano Airport.

Venice's new pet restrictions will mean that we can't fly with Todd. We have decided to get him his own plane ticket on a cargo plane because he will be better cared for. Delta has designed a a pet travel program via cargo that is supposed to better than checked baggage. There will be a climate controlled holding area.

This is still very stressful and upsetting. He is a very big part of our family so it will be painful to be separated for too long. He has bouts with separation anxiety so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we are dealing with this situation.

Please feel free to share any pet travel tips you may have. This will be Todd's first time flying!

About Vicenza

2009-12-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

Vicenza is in Northern Italy and is approximately 45 minutes from Venice. It is also about 2 hours from Milan and a few hours from Rome. It is a very cosmopolitan city. Vicenza is very opulent in its museums, art, architecture and history. It is one of the Italy's wealthiest cities.

The Adventure Begins!

2009-12-17T20:42:00.000-08:00

We are moving to Vicenza, Italy. We are scheduled to arrive there on Feburary 11th! However, that date is still tenative. It may take longer to get everything in order. There is so much to do: passports, selling the house, transporting the pup. Please pray for an easy transition.