Elba

Elba is located just a 1-hour ferry ride off the coast of Italy with a departing port of Piombino.  You can get to Piombino by taking a train from Rome through a switch of trains is required.  I believe the train ride is just a little more than an hour long.  We drove to Piombino it is south of Cinque Terre and Livorno.  Why Elba?  9 years ago when we were living in Switzerland for the summer, we went to visit friends who vacation every year in Elba and we fell in love with the island.  If you are looking to relax than Elba is the place; while the island offers hiking, biking, sunbathing, scuba diving, and lots of wonderful eating there isn't much to see in terms of tourist attractions.  I should mention though you can visit the prison where Napoleon was exiled to when he was captured and imprisoned.  He eventually escaped.  This time we stayed at the Hotel Brigatino which has been newly renovated and is very kid friendly. The staff is so friendly and helpful and by the end of the week, you will feel like they are apart of your family. I would say this might not be your hotel during the high peak summer months if you do not like kids or you are a person who goes to bed early.  Italians do not put their children to bed at 7 p.m. and children's voices can be heard as late as 11:00 p.m. and thus I have to say it is not the quietest hotel; however, quieter than a couple of the other hotels who are located directly on the beach as the evening foot traffic of those going out to get dinner, a drink, or crepes and gelato the tiny little village really comes alive at night.  It is pretty amazing because most cities look like ghost towns after 9  at night. I am trying to hold on dearly to all the sweet memories of our trip. The sun setting at night ever so slowly making sure you get a glimpse of it with its pink, lavender, baby blue, orange and purple paint strokes across the sky.  Waiting in line with a gazillion children for crepes covered in Nutella and smarties though a ton of other toppings is offered like coconut, peanuts, almonds, jam, cinnamon and sugar, and mascarpone. The smell of the sea air and the hot sticky air combined with the waves lapping against the shore.  Fresh hot pizza out of the stone fireplace combined with cold diet coke or fresh clams and spaghetti and not to mention endless hours of conversations with our friends. The daily Uno card games and sand castle building contest.  Roman and Frank got to go on our friend's grandfathers boat which was a total treat. The week couldn't be more dreamy.  The kids had a blast!  Thank you, Elba, for a wonderful week!