It is a cold, dark and windy day in Queensland, so I’m escaping to a summer morning in ItalyΒ when the sun was warm, the breezes cool, and we had a whole day to do whatever we liked.

On such a day a leisurely breakfast on the sun-drenched terrace was essential. We lingered long over fresh strawberries and toasted ciabatta topped with fried eggs or spread with Nutella. How lovely it was to be outside in our pjs, talking for ages with dear friends as the birds twittered cheerily in the orchards below us.

Italian breakfast

After breakfast we piled into our rental car and headed down the hills near Perdifumo, wending our way past ancient villas, lush olive groves, and roadsides carpeted in a profusion of wildflowers.

We stopped often, spilling out of the car to stretch our legs and soak in the views of emerald hills and cerulean skies.

Italian wildflowers

 

The road was narrow and rutted, twisting and turning down the hillside heading towards the Adriatic Sea.

At last we saw it, vivid blue against the sandy beaches and red-tiled rooftops of the seaside town of Santa Maria.

 

Adriatic coastline

 

We meandered our way through the unfamiliar streets until we found a parking spot, then hauled our bits and bobs down to the beach, eager to kick off our shoes and plunge into the cool, clear water glistening in the early morning sunlight.

 

Santa Maria sand

What a jolly time we had on the beach that morning: swimming, tanning, hiking up and down the beach, reading under a bright blue umbrella, napping happily in the sunshine, taking pictures like mad. πŸ™‚

girls at Santa Maria beach

 

I loved the wildflowers growing by the road, little kids bathing suits hanging out to dry, and the rocky shore that rose up on either side of pristine sand, the water aglow with lime green seaweed and gold lichen clinging to the stones.

Santa Maria coast

As much as I love these wild winter days in Australia, I can’t wait for spring and summer to arrive with brilliant sunshine, blue skies, and long days to putter and adventure in.

What do you love most about summer?