ten.

ten hours, a small car - emphasize small, a map and some strong coffee is what we had on santorini. the island was like a cake frosted with little white towns and we were in decoration wonderland.

what's better...

...than finding a portland friend in a small village on corfu when you left the directions back in portland? I'll tell you...

having them invite you up for some greek pastries and a tall glass of ouzo at 10:30 in the morning, because, every morning on a greek island should start with an ouzo induced buzz, pastries and friends far far far from home. then, with said nice ouzo buzz, walking across the road to take a swim, laying in the hot hot sun, and then topping it off with the most delicious lunch. that was the best.

a taste of croatia.

that's what we had so that's what i'll share. it was just a taste; a few hours to see what we could see. one day we'll go back for a meal...an eight course indulgence of croatia is what we'll do, because, it will be so worth it.

there were medieval walls climbing up the side of mountains like they were meant to be there all along,
laundry, cleverly placed to brighten up lonely little alleyways,

and there is no surprise that the doors caught my eye. they, like much of croatia, have been untouched for a long time, beautiful and dormant and still so free from the pressures of the tourist dollar...for the time being anyway.

if I could count the ways...

...in which I loved you tuscany, I would. although, I would go on forever and ever and ever and all of your delicious secrets would be out. there are a few things, though, that I just can't keep to myself...

your doors...I could spend forever with your doors,
the way your little cars tempted me...like I could just pick them up and put them in my pocket,
your olives. everything about your olives,
your sunflowers and the way they couldn't hide their love for you either,
watching people find their way around your hilltowns, dancing almost, in those stone streets and alleyways,
your grass and the way it shines in the hot sun...oh! and the smell, I will never forget that sweet smell,

giancarlo, all of his delicious creations, hospitality, and the way he shares his way of life at podere spedalone with his guests,
you and him...together in the quiet warm air waiting patiently for the sun to set.

amazing.

that's what it was. morning, noon and night. every sunrise, sunset, kiss, view, farm, hill town, corner, olive and sip of wine in tuscany was incredible. oh...and it was quiet. so quiet. after the hustle and bustle and crowds of the riviera we embraced tuscany's quiet landscape and dirt roads with open arms! there will be more to come on tuscany...I promise.