Agosto 2011
Joe planned a wonderful weekend away for me! So after getting Z to Monza to stay with a friend and Baci to the vacation house to be spoiled by Rosanna, finally we made it to Celle Ligure, booked totally last minute - we usually go to Finale Ligure or Spotorno, but Celle is now our new favorite, we lucked out - the hotel was about 160 meters from the beach promenade and the town is hopping, with Italians vs tourists. Left, above, just arriving / pre dinner stroll.  A bit cloudy, but a nice change from the Milano heat.
~ Rhonda & Joe's Romantic Riviera Weekend ~
Celle Ligure, Italia  26-28 agosto
After going for a beautiful, scenic run to Varazze, we ran back and  found a perfect Lido to spend the next few days. We were there early because I was having panic attacks knowing that in August, sometimes, all the beds can be reserved for the season or at least for August (nightmare), so we were happy to score a great spot.
Above left: Gossiping with Avalon. Above: Our usual picnic - Ligurian cold white wine, some spicy salumi from Naples, Joe loved it - it was like a pepperoni stick bought at Mini Mart from days gone by...fresh goat cheese, fresh fruit and foccacia.
Perfect timing - the Alpini (old Italian mountain army) were in town having a fest - so we were able to have the best of two worlds...mountain food and seafood - YUM.
Notice Joe's white only-to- wear-at-the-beach, 5 euro sunnies, purchased after a lot of vino with dinner.
1st night we had an excellent dinner of cozze, with prezzemolo and aglio - you have to have mussels or it's not the beach.
The 1st beach day we had crazy waves - red flags - which freaks me out because you can be shredded and at a minimum lose your very expensive sun glasses, but Joe loved it however didn't have any floating devices and so that night we bought a floaty and the next day it was totally calm - Joe was sad.
I LOVE the Riviera, we have been coming here for 10 years now and I never tire of it, the view of castles and villas on the hills, the acqua marine surf, the loud loving to tan Italians and just the entire environment - it's not summer unless we get to spend some time on these beaches. And it is such a lovely way to say arrivederci al estate anche  ~
Thank you Joe
for a perect weekend!!
The Last Hurrah
(sleep over and water park) before school starts on Thursday
Ondasplash ~ Zerbolo, Italia

30 agosto
1st Day of School
American International School of Milan

1 Settembre 2011