Italy – Page 2 – Jennifer's Journal

Travel Theme: Romance

Published on February 14, 2014March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry16 Comments

268651_10150308658300281_6294221_n — Roma!

This is my contribution to Ailsa’s photo challenge at wheresmybackpack.com.

Happy Valentines Day!

The Whole World Smiles With You :)

Published on May 16, 2013October 29, 2017 by J. Kelland Perry26 Comments

I’m sharing a few smiles I’ve collected from around the world in today’s post. While you listen to the great Louis Armstrong, it is my hope these photos will put a smile on your face too. 🙂

Cuba:

Jamaica:

100_6446 — How’s this for Service with a Smile?

Italy:

rome 080 — Our Favourite Bartender in Rome

Friends in Florida:

Relatives in Ottawa:

Dominican Republic:

Our Trip to the Dominican Republic 084 — “I’ll be your waiter this evening”

Our Trip to the Dominican Republic 081 — Charming

Our Trip to the Dominican Republic 107 — My Personal Favourite 🙂

Reasons To Smile 🙂 (beingreal365.wordpress.com)

Photo Challenge: Up

Published on April 21, 2013April 21, 2013 by J. Kelland Perry37 Comments

This week’s photo challenge at the Daily Post inspired me to have a look back on our memorable trip to Italy and France. It didn’t take long to come “up” with some photos that fit nicely with the theme.

(Not sure if it’s against the rules to share more than one. ;)) I hope you enjoy them.

View of the Italian Alps – Stresa, Italy

Staircase at our B & B - Stresa, Italy — Staircase at our B & B – Stresa, Italy

View from our Hotel Room In Rome — View from our Hotel Room – Rome, Italy

marble staircase in hotel - Rome — marble staircase in hotel – Rome

Palazzo Vecchio - Siena, Italy — Palazzo Vecchio – Siena, Italy

Duomo of Florence - Italy — Duomo of Florence – Italy

Notre Dame Cathedral - Paris — Notre Dame Cathedral – Paris

Inside Cathedral - Paris — Inside Cathedral – Paris

Louis Vuitton - Paris — Louis Vuitton – Paris

Eiffel Tower - Paris — Eiffel Tower – Paris

France 003 — In front of the Arc de Triomphe – Paris

Arc de Triomphe - Paris — Arc de Triomphe x2

Ceilings in the Louvre Museum - Paris — Ceilings in the Louvre Museum – Paris

Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (mdcphotographs.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (beijingcityphoto.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (scottseyephotos.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (Dry) (chrisbreebaart.wordpress.com)
Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (turtlestravel.com)

My First Anniversary…and Ten Things I Didn’t Know When I Started

Published on December 31, 2012January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry16 Comments

One year ago today, on New Year’s Eve, 2011, I started this blog, Jennifer’s Journal. And as I mentioned in the very first post, Follow the Yellow Brick Road, I had no idea where my blog would take us. So here is what I found out.

1. I didn’t know I would have the resolve to faithfully post to my blog a little more than once a week on average. WordPress, being the best blogging site – in my opinion – had a lot to do with my enthusiasm.

2. I didn’t know I would be taking my visitors and followers on a pictorial journey of our 2011 trip to Italy and France. Nor did I know that one of these installments,
“Scenes From Italy – Part Three: Siena and Florence, Tuscany” would consistently be my most visited post, from all around the world!

3. I hadn’t made plans yet to take a Spring vacation in Florida, with my husband and my daughter and her family. My photo album from that trip,
“For the Young, & the Young at Heart: Disney’s Magic Kingdom“, would garner a record of 449 views on May 8th, the most views I had in one day.

4. I wasn’t fully aware of how beautiful it actually is where I live, here in Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland, until I read your lovely comments on my local photographic efforts. 🙂 “Autumn Walk on the East Coast” was a particular favourite.

5. I came to learn how the poems, musings, and photographs of my grandchildren would be a popular subject for many!

6. That goes for the posts of my little cats, Maisie and Vivian, as well. One of them even guest-posted in “Vivian’s View From Here“.

7. I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of support my blog received, as I was losing my mother. I cannot fully express what a source of comfort those caring comments were, and still are.

8. I didn’t know I was going to publish sixteen of my poems, and that I would be proud of them. 🙂

9. I wasn’t sure (but I am pleased I did) that I would keep my resolution to start writing a novel, and am now starting Chapter Six of the first draft. My post about it, Then You Must Write It, would be one my most popular blog posts, generating many of your comments.

10. Novel writing or not, I love my blog as the vehicle of self-expression it has turned out to be, and I will continue to update it in 2013. Connecting with many of you and making new friends is one of the best advantages of blogging.

So, let me say to all of my followers and visitors from sixty-six countries, a GIANT THANK YOU! And a Happy New Year to you all. 🙂

Scenes From Italy – Part Four: Stresa

Published on June 1, 2012March 26, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry7 Comments

We said goodbye to half of our group whose time had come to fly home, as well as “ciao” to Tuscany, then the four of us rode by train to northern Italy. Nestled by Lake Maggiore in the foothills of the Italian Alps, the pretty little town of Stresa was a welcome sight. We checked into a B & B, our home for the next few days.

stresa069 — Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in Italy.

stresa027 — We climbed the hill by cable car to see the magnificent view.

stresa099 — Pippa, the resident cat at our B & B

Scenes From Italy – Part Three: Siena and Florence, Tuscany (jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com)
Scenes from Italy – Part Two: Tuscany (jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com)
Scenes from Italy – Part One: Rome (jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com)

Scenes From Italy – Part Three: Siena and Florence, Tuscany

Published on May 30, 2012October 25, 2020 by J. Kelland Perry8 Comments

During our week-long stay at the Tuscan villa, we took a couple of day trips to nearby centres of interest. I have no words to describe the incredible feelings I experienced visiting Siena and Florence. It comes as no surprise that these cities were named World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Siena is a must-see if you want to experience a historical throwback to medieval times. Famous for all of its culture and art, it is particularly known for the Palio, a traditional horse race that takes place in the Piazza del Campo twice a year.
And of course, Florence, the capital city of Tuscany, was unforgettable. The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world due to its artistic and architectural heritage.

Here are some of my favourite shots of the two cities.

Our group entering Siena. Most of the walls that were built in the 10th and 11th century to surround the city still exist today.

one of the many steep, narrow streets of old Siena

a partial view of the city from a higher vantage point

Shops and boutiques line many of the streets

Ponte Vecchio, an arch bridge over the Arno River

facade of the Duomo of Florence – Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore

Duomo is the largest brick dome ever constructed.

Coming soon: the northern Italian town of Stresa…

Scenes from Italy – Part Two: Tuscany (jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com)

Scenes From Italy – Part Two: Our Tuscan Villa

Published on May 25, 2012June 6, 2012 by J. Kelland Perry4 Comments

After four fun-filled days of sightseeing, food and nightlife, our group of eight said “arrivederci” to Rome, and in our rental cars, headed out into the Italian countryside. Next destination: our villa in Tuscany for a full week!

We had some day trips planned for later in the week, but first we chose to relax for a while in our beautiful surroundings.

Green rolling hillsides soon came into view. The closer we got, the prettier everything looked.

Our villa, or “agriturismo” was one of many Italian farm properties in the Tuscan region that had been restored for renting to tourists.

Guests could purchase the local wine and olive oil at the villa.

We celebrated my sister and husband’s 25th wedding anniversary at the villa, catered by the owners. An unforgettable night!

Scenes from Italy – Part One: Rome (jenniferkellandperry.wordpress.com)

Scenes From Italy – Part One: Rome

Published on May 22, 2012June 6, 2012 by J. Kelland Perry10 Comments

How quickly the months fly by! I can hardly believe that it will be a year, at the end of May, since we embarked on our biggest trip yet, to experience for ourselves the lovely countries of Italy and France. To pay homage to this rapidly approaching anniversary, I though I would share some photos from our amazing trip, beginning with Rome, the first destination on our itinerary. We flew into the Italian capital on May 30th, a warm sunny day, and an ideal start to our adventure…