It has been pretty quiet around here lately due to end-of-school-year chaos and finally the summer vacation starting. We were all running around like lunatics until July 5th which was the last day of school (is it just me or does that seem really LATE to end school for summer?). I can’t even count how many going-away parties, end-of-year parties, summer parties and barbecues we attended in the last weeks. It was fun but exhausting (although I admit that at the end it was more exhausting than fun).
The day after school ended we packed up the car and headed south to the gorgeous region of Umbria with all the Belgian aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. We spent an amazing week relaxing poolside at our villa, eating delicious meals and exploring all the small cities and towns Umbria has to offer. The weather was perfect (not too hot and not too cold) and the nine little cousins had the time of their lives together. There were tears at the end of the week when we all had to say goodbye and part ways. Lifetime memories were definitely made for everyone.
We stayed in the stunning Villa Enea which is probably one of the most gorgeous properties we’ve ever lodged at. There is actually a chapel, a library (including baby grand piano), a pool house (with kitchen, dining room, bathroom and changing room) and more than enough bedrooms to accommodate our very big extended family. Believe me, we enjoyed every second of our time in this gorgeous villa and region. 
We visited the small city of Perugia (where the International Jazz Fest was being held), Assisi, Todi and our favourite small town of Spello (which was a flower haven!). We loved meandering through the old stone streets and alleyways, visiting ancient Roman and Etruscan sites and admiring the incredibly varied and impressive architecture to be found everywhere. And the fact that we saw a monk with an iphone, a nun with a hot pink glittery purse and a priest wearing a cowboy hat in Assisi was just icing on the cake. I’ll be writing more about these visits in my upcoming Classic Play travel column.
(Follow me on Instagram to see more photos of our time in Umbria).
Jillian In Italy 
The photos! Ah! I love the collage in particular.
July 5 does sound ridiculously late for school to end. Do they go back late? Ours go back at the end of August. We also don’t get many vacation days during the school year, so maybe that’s it too? The kids get a week off at Christmas and a week during Easter.
In any event, so happy summer is finally here for you guys! Woo hoo!