Vacation in Italy

We just returned from our vacation in Italy. This time it was extra special since our family finally got to meet Miss Portia. Everyone fell head over heels for her. I think she found it hard coming home and facing the reality that 1) the world actually does not revolve around her and 2) that she really isn't a princess. All kidding aside, Portia was great and we are so fortunate that she travels so well. We stayed in Milan for a few days. As usual, we started off with an outdoor market where the costs were so cheap, it would have been a sin not to buy. On the Friday, we headed to Livigno (a small town nestled high between the mountains near the Switzerland border). I would have to say that this is officially one of my top 5 favorite places in Italy. We ate fresh cheeses, pizzocheri, bresaola and swiss chocolate. The foods exceeded any of our expectations. The only thing I regret is not running up the mountain and singing "The Sound of Music." Aaah, but don't worry, there's always next time. We also got to go to the Liguria. Alex's aunt has a beach house in Ceriale. Here is where you find the bluest of blue oceans. And again the food. Zia Tina's culinary skills would put a World Top Chef to shame. We decided to return to Cinque Terre (also one of the top 5 on my list). What can we say? It was just as beautiful as we left it and no picture could ever do it justice. I'm hoping that next time we go, we can walk the complete paths between the small towns. I've been told it's quite the workout but well worth it. As a family we did walk the Via Del'Amore. It ran along the outside of the mountain so the scenery was spectacular. We realized once again that we would need more time to see everything at a normal pace, not to mention Porto Fino, so we plan to return there as well. Our last week, we stayed in Milan and took it easy. We must have hit every market available to us, so it took us about a week to pack. We even had to send a box by courier since we knew we would have to pay a hefty fine at the airport...and in the end had to pay anyways!! That's another story but definitely a big lesson learned. So, now we're at home and dreaming of our next get away. I think we just might have enough to get us over the bridge to Hull, assuming we hitch hike.