Our 2 weeks in Italy was inspiring in surprising ways. Since this was my second trip to the Eternal Country, I chose to do the opposite as I had done before, which is to say I consciously planned nothing. All we planned for was a place to stay and a rental car for our second week in Tuscany. I was most interested in seeing where each day would lead.

Our itinerary went like this: 5 night in Rome, 2 nights each in Montepulciano, Sienna, Vernazza and Florence.

I brought with me a stash of 4×6 cards in various colors and water color pencils. Every moment we sat to eat or rest I sketched. (above, watercolor and pen on watercolor paper)

This is an interpretation of the Trevi Fountain. I couldn’t help including my lunch since eating was all we seemed to do. Yum! (on blue paper)

Serenade, Italy style (on blue paper)

Antipasto (on green paper)

A brick fell on our car in Montepulciano in the middle of the night. It smashed the back window out of our car. The next day we had to drive to another town to trade out the rental. Moral of the story, if you park next to an old building in Italy and a brick falls on your car, don’t admit it to the rental company because—in Italy—insurance won’t cover it. You’re just supposed to know not to park next to old stuff. It might fall on you. Our official story is, “We don’t know how that brick got in there.” (on dark blue paper)

Osteria Spaghetti Roma, best meal in the city. (on light blue paper)

Osteria Spaghetti Roma. Now, that’s how to eat a meal!

Every day, everywhere. Love the fizzy water. (on blue paper)

Drinks in Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi. Sunny day overlooking Roma. Ahhh….

Don’t worry, be Gabs. I bought three… www.gabs.it

What’s a trip to Italy without pencil rubbing a building. (on blue-gray paper)

So there you have it. Next time we are staying for a year. The plans have begun…