Happy Anniversary

Six years? Wow. Yes, it's been six years ago today that we were married at Casa Cornacchi in Tuscany. Just looking at a few photos of that amazing, 16th century villa brings back a flood of memories and a rush of feelings about my husband -- not to mention my friends from Eastern Europe and my family, who joined me there during that magical week in 2003.

Mexico on my Mind

My latest edition of Travel and Leisure arrived the other day and since it's a rainy weekend on Fire Island, I perused its pages yesterday while a fire raged a few feet away in our fireplace. There is a wonderful article on 25 great beach getaways from Chile to Kenya to Mexico. Since we're thinking of hassle-free travel for our next get away, the Campeche and Mazatlan articles were of particular interest. The latter boasts an Old Town and sounds as if it is now home to some interesting galleries, boutiques and this small boutique hotel, Casa Lucila, which has beachfront rooms and an enticing-looking spa.

Also of note is the article on the restored Four Seasons in Firenze, which is definitely being placed on my Must Visit list. Author Simon Watson says "a fine hotel, a really fine hotel, can give you a rosy opinion of your life and of your role in it." This definitely sounds like the place to wake up with that attitude and a good cup of hearty Italian espresso. 14th century frescos, a chef that heartily subscribes to "terroir" eating, more-than-attentive staff and manicured gardens surrounding this city jewel.

Italian Wedding

It was just four years ago today that I walked down the aisle -- or as my husband likes to say “what aisle?” We were married by a Communist-leaning Italian mayor on a green, lush lawn at a beautiful stone villa looking out over the Tuscan valley. It was a magical week with an amber sun that seemed to shine on us. The wine, olives, proscuitto and melt-in-your mouth mozzarella were abundant. Today, we are celebrating in a reflection of the way we conduct our lives doing international work – my husband is in Nairobi and I’m here in Washington, D.C. We’ll toast each other from afar. So, happy anniversary, dearest husband! It's been a wonderful four years.

Getting there: http://www.cornacchi.com/index2.html

They're Getting Married!

Okay, their names will be changed to protect the innocent...but I have two friends (let's call them Joshua and Morana) who live here in Zagreb who just can't seem to get it together......to get married! Yes, they are in love. Yes, they are engaged. Yes, they live together. Yes, they are both successful. Yes, they've attended lots of weddings together to get ideas about matrimony. But alas, they are not organized enough to find time to get down the aisle. So over a few bottles of wine the other night, I offered to help plan their wedding. You see, I got married in Tuscany a few years back (yes, that's the villa above). I planned it for 40 people from the U.S. and abroad in less than 7 weeks. So, I guess they thought I was cut out for the job. So, I really can't write more. Between work and trying to return to the United States (I'm still in Croatia) later this week, I need to de-brief my friend Morana. Stay tuned.