One year ago today I was anxiously gobbling down a slice of pizza while unwisely over-stuffing a large backpack with clothes, shoes and electric adapters.
Frantically checking and re-checking to make sure I had packed all the essentials – passport, money, plane tickets and travel guides – for the epic journey my husband and I were about to embark on.
Our i’s were dotted and our t’s were crossed – we were going to ITALY BAY-BEE!!!!
The vacation I had dreamed about taking for as long as I could remember!!!
Little did I know…
36 hours later the aforementioned large, over-stuffed backpack would cause me to fall flat on my face in the middle a busy intersection in Rome. D’oh!
37 hours later I’d be drowning my sorrows in what was the first of dozens of scoops of luscious, Italian gelato.
Three days later I’d be touring the ruins of the Colosseum, where men and beast fought to the bitter end almost 2,000 years ago,
then flipping shiny Euros into one of the most well known fountains in the world.
Four days later I’d find myself not ready to leave the intriguing, unique city that I’d fallen in love with,
yet eager to make my way towards the picturesque Amalfi coastline that I’d patiently waited to lay eyes on for years.
Five days later I’d be dining al fresco, sipping wine and eating seafood caught the same day from the crashing ocean less than 50 yards in front of me.
Six days later I’d be climbing up and down ancient stone steps while exploring every nook and cranny of the tiny, impossibly charming town of Praiano, Italy.
Seven days later I’d have nothing better to do than sip cappuccinos all afternoon while getting lost in a good book, then cap my night off with a big glass of local, red wine.
Eight days later Ben would have to pry my clenched fingers from the wrought-iron fence overlooking the glittering Mediterranean Sea on our hotel’s balcony, as I refused to wake up from the dream our life had become the last two weeks and go back home to Iowa.
Nine days later I’d be sprinting barefoot through the Paris airport only to see the gate to my Iowa-bound plane shutting…
You know what – let’s not even relive that memory!
365 days later Ben and I would still be as smitten with Italy as the day we left. That we’d still share our remember when? stories as often as we do. That we’d regularly see things that would awaken memories of our trip, glance at each other and ask, what does that remind you of? – knowing exactly what the other is thinking about.
That we could not WAIT to return someday!
Today, on the one-year anniversary of the best trip we’ve ever taken, Ben and I decided that if we couldn’t get back, we’d reminisce with what we’ve got: the most mouthwatering Italian food in town!
There are at least half a dozen local Italian restaurants that I have been dying to try over the past several months – Tumea & Sons being one of them.
Located on the south-east side of Des Moines, T&S was started in 1998 by Italian immigrants, Joe & Lucretia Tumea, and their American-born sons.
The minute you walk in the door, you’re smiling. You’re home.
First you notice the family pictures and painted scenes of Italy lining the walls, then you pick up on the sound of Frank Sinatra crooning in the background as you sink into one of the deep, maroon booths.
The waitresses are chatting with the regulars, who show up at 5:30pm on the nose, but we’re new, of course, so we’re asked what we’ll have. One God-awful Peroni for Ben and a water for me, thank you very much!
We tore into the warm & doughy rolls that accompany our meal, before cracking open the menu.
It was an easy choice. Cavatelli with sausage and red sauce for her, Canneloni stuffed with cheese, topped with red & white sauce for him.
Before a sip is supped, fresh salads were brought to the table.
Drizzled with the most incredible house dressing we’ve EVER had! (Locals: this beats Bisignano’s dressing!)
A short time later – the main event.
Dun-dun-duuunnnhhhh!!!!!!!
The cheese!
The sauce!
The tender cavatelli!
The Best!
I nearly slumped down in the booth after tasting Ben’s canneloni though. STUFFED with ricotta cheese, this was one of the best things I’ve ever had.
We knew we needed to call it a night when I started stealing spoonfuls of white sauce from his dish to eat…by itself. NO REGRETS!
Check please!
Stretchy pants, too…OMG!
While we may not be able to make it back to Italy for a few years (there’s so much of the world to see, after all!) being able to devour home-cooked Italian food definitely softens the blow.
Off to find those stretchy pants and question myself as to why I turned down homemade Cannoli for dessert…what was I thinking?!
Goodnight!
~~~~~
Have you ever been on a trip that changed your life?
What were you doing one year ago? Is your life different then it was back then?
I can’t believe it has been a year already! That food looks delicious. Sadly, we don’t have any authentic Italian restaurants where I live.
Wow, has it really been a year? What a great way to celebrate!
I love Tumea’s for lunch. Unfortunately, I always want a nap after!
Did you check out the bocchi ball court outside in the back? There are always some old Italian dudes throwing a few. (Maybe a little too warm today?)
Sadly, there is no Italian restaurant in my tiny town, so I make stuff at home. I can’t believe it’s been a year since your trip! That’s a great way of celebrating, though!
Loved this fun recap! I want to go to Italy so bad, I love reading travel posts about it
Oh my – this looks absolutely amazing. Even though I don’t like the location – the food looks worth the drive from the west side.
Thanks for sharing all of your vaca pictures. Italy is definitely on the bucket list!
This was a wonderful recap Kristin.
I want to go SO bad!
I guess it’s been a year that I’ve been reading your blog because I stumbled upon it when you were in Italy. Still loving it just as much. Keep up the good work!
Omg! I have always wanted to try this place too! If you ever are in the mood to try another local Italian eatery(and who wouldn’t be?), you should check out Cosi Cocina. The food is amazing and it was voted one of the most romantic restarauntes in Iowa. =))
What an incredibly lovely recap post! You have an amazing gift for documenting your travels. My husband’s grandfather is from Palermo, so we hope to get there someday soon.
The trip that changed my life was when I was 19 and my mom, two sisters and I went to Jamaica. It was so special because it was the last trip we all took together before my mom passed away. I have some incredible memories that I will always cherish from that trip.
And really….how can you resist a handmade cannoli??? If you ever make it to San Francisco, visit Stella’s Bakery in North Beach for hands down, America’s best cannoli.
Our epic trip was to Spain for our honeymoon– Seville, Spain is where it is AT. It looked, smelled, and felt exactly like I imagined that country would, and it was totally magical. One of the only foreign cities I’ve been to that I could imagine living in.
Plus, tapas are my favorite kind of food- little bits of a LOT of things!
Oh my god I can’t believe that all that happened a year ago! I remember discovering your blog for the very first time not long before you went to Italy. Whoa, it means I’ve been reading your blog for a year. Sweet!
I spent two weeks in London last month, to do a short course at this arts school and also to travel a lil bit. I was alone and I turned twenty when I was there. It was pretty eye-opening
And pasta + tomato sauce + cheese = let me die!!!
I’ve been to London and The Netherlands… Also a trip never to forget! That food looks amazing, can I have a bite?
beautiful photography! I’d love to visit Rome someday.
Every trip seems to change me a little, but I’m thinking about Semester at Sea next summer.. which would really be life-changing!
The hubby & I went to Italy in the fall of 2007 and I have to agree that it was a life changing experience. The Italians truly know how to live. I can’t wait to experience it all over again someday!
Your trip to Italy looks picture-perfect! I can’t wait to visit one day.
Your dinner looks delish. In NY, we probably have 10x more restaurants exactly like that, yet we never get completely tired of them.
Beautiful! A trip that changed my life was my trip to Japan. That’s where I met my hubby of 14 years! Camp A sure has a fair share of marriages.
One year ago today I was doing exactly what I’m doing now. SAHM to 3, healthy and happy on all accounts. Life is good!
I’ve been to Italy and would love to go back. It’s gorgeous and the south of Spain is similar in terrain and beauty. That should go on your travel list!
That was a great recap! I have been reflecting that 10 years ago yesterday I left to go to Spain for a study abroad! I hope to go back, but every time an opportunity to travel comes I pick someplace new.
Wow! Italy sounds so amazing! I’ve never been, but it’s definitely on the Bucket List. The most amazing trip I’ve ever been on was to Alaska in 2009. It was seriously life-changing…just being on the cruise in the ocean seeing all the glaciers, mountains and wild life was incredibly breathtaking and humbling. I’m so happy I had the opportunity to go! Not self-promoting whatsoever because I solely wrote this blog for friends to understand how great Alaska was, but if you’re considering a trip there, I’m totally happy to help plan-I blogged about my trip and included a few pictures here – alaskanadventures.tumblr.com.
LOVE Tumea and Sons (and Cosi as Blair mentioned above). So glad you shared, and maybe a bit (OK, a lot) jealous!
A year and three months ago, we went to L.A. for the first time, and I got to see two of my favorite celebs doing their things: Peter Gabriel in concert at the Hollywood Bowl and Craig Ferguson at a taping of his late-night show. Definitely a life changer!
I love tumea n sons!!! I want to go there every time we are on central Iowa. I was 9 months preg last year at l this time… And 191 lbs!! Now I have my 2nd son and are 60 lbs lighter!!!!
I want to travel to Rome! All of your pictures are great! I love all of the doors.
I went to Lima, Peru in 2007. It had a huge impact on my life. We went to the poorest part of the city and the wealthiest part of the city in the same day. I felt like I was in completely different parts of the world but in reality it was only about an hour apart. I definitely left a part of my heart in Lima. I can’t wait to go back one day!
My Great Grandma, who will turn 98 this fall, immigrated from Northern Italy to the US with her Mom when she was 7 years old. Even though by blood I am 75% German, I have always been infatuated with her Italian roots. One day I hope to make it to Italy to experience the life she knew before she boarded the ship. Thanks for sharing your images and memories of your trip. It just makes me that much more excited to one day have my own to share!
Thanks for the Italian tour! One year ago for me? I almost dared to say I wasn’t doing anything different that I am right now, but I’m a much improved person that I was one year ago, in many different ways, so I’m obviously not doing the some ole thing. weeeeee!!!!
Your recap of Italy was fantastic- and gave me a serious craving for the San Crispino’s gelato! I went to Rome on a long weekend trip when I was a TA in Germany for the summer, and it was by far the best food I had all summer. TA-ing in Germany was incredible, as was the summer before when I lived in Spain, and while Germany has fantastic beer, it can’t really compete with Italy or Spain for food – though I can’t decide which is better!
I can’t believe that was a year ago already! It feels like I was just reading your blog updates! Oy… how fast this year has went!
My hubby & I are heading to Italy in just over a month and today I got so giddy about it, I nearly cried. And now I read your post and I actually DID cry! Can’t wait!!!!!!!
A trip that changed me?? Geeze…many! Either a trip to hurricane-devestated Grenada to find people who were smiling and surviving…or Paris! I don’t know if I’ve ever been so enchanted:)
Beautiful pictures!! Thank you for sharing!
I want to go to Italy SOOOO bad! Thanks for making me want to go even more!
Hawaii was truly a life changing experience for us. We went there on our honeymoon, and the laid back way of life was something I could get used to! I’m not a person who can easily relax, but I could in Hawaii. If we didn’t own a house in Des Moines already, my husband and I probably would have moved there after that trip!
With the build up of this post through all the pictures and re-living everything, I was expecting an “We booked a vacation!” But alas, that is the best Italian place in DSM and I’m just a little bit jealous. What was your favorite Italian place in Iowa City?
No one makes lasagna like the Brown Bottle. I live in Des Moine,s and with all of the Italian restaurants available, I can’t find anything as good.
I’m not sure I’ve ever been to an Italian restaurant in Iowa City! (I went to UNI)
One year ago I was anxiously awaiting September 2nd. That was my very last chemotherapy for radon-induced lung cancer. When the nurse removed the PICC-line that delivered the chemo, I cried like a baby. I had made it to” the other side!” So now I’m still here – ready and willing for all kinds of trips. As I write this, I’m actually visiting my sister in Vancouver, WA (across the Columbia River from Portland). The weather is gorgeous and we’re having a terrific time.
Don’t be afraid to test your home for radon; you may be saving your life or that of someone you dearly love.
Agreed! I am so happy for you! For everyone else – here is my post on radon – GET TESTED!! http://iowagirleats.com/2011/03/04/if-you-live-in-the-midwest-you-need-to-read-this-post/
A year ago I had JUST moved to a new city – so yes it’s definitely different! I love Baratta’s in DSM for Italian. I miss Trattoria, though – so sad they didn’t reopen after flooding!
P.S. They have awesome cavatelli at Centro!
What a lovely post! Living in Europe for 4 years changed everything about me as a person. I miss it every single day. You can’t seem to describe the sights or smells that Europe has. You can’t explain the feeling you had the first time you saw the Eiffel Tower. Europe just DOES that somehow. Excluding Times Square…I have yet to experience that here is the US.
Your pictures are beautiful! Europe, but especially Italy, is on my list of places to visit. Your trip looks so memorable and that Italian restaurant…delicious!
One year ago my husband and I were smack dab in the middle of a 3 month NICU ordeal after our daughter was born 16 weeks premature. 2011 has been a much more joyous year
I remember reading about your Italy trip (with jealousy) on my laptop in the hospital cafeteria. Hard to believe it was a year ago!
A year ago I was teaching 3rd graders full-time. I have since resigned and am subbing, so that I can have a more flexible schedule for my two daughters and since my husband travels a lot for his job. I am loving my “new life” so far!
My favorite travel experience so far was to Alaska with my husband and some very fun friends. We stayed in a cozy cabin in the middle of a bunch of raspberry bushes with a beautiful glacier view every morning. We also went halibut and salmon fishing which was so much fun, even though my husband and I were VERY seasick! Long story! Alaska is beautiful and I only saw a tiny part of it. I hope to go back someday.
One year ago I was 17 days away from getting married!
I want to go to Italy and Greece so bad, I am hoping we can do it aas our 5 year anniversary trip
what a fun trip! i would love to be able to travel there someday. I just had a bunch of friends move to Italy/Spain and I am living vicariously through all their pictures!
1 year ago today I was gearing up for another weekend of work … just like I am this year! I also just found my perfect wedding dress! So crazy it was already a year ago!
I wanna go to Italy so bad!
Aww all that melted cheese, I loooove melted cheese
, I’ve never been to Rome but I’d like to 
Wow! Time has flown by– I remember reading all your incredible recaps! What a fantastic way to celebrate that anniversary! To me, there’s nothing better than boatloads of cheese in delicious Italian food!
BEAUTIFUL pictures! I went to Italy with a school group in high school and toured around the major cities and the smaller towns, I fell in love and had to be dragged out of the country… I hope to go back soon! One year ago I was just about to start my senior year of college, this year I’m starting my first year of teaching
Crazy! So where are you going next?!
I am travelling to England for 10 days in November and I can.not.wait!
Our dream trip was to Austria/Germany/Switzerland… I LOVE the Alps!
Tumea & Sons have been our go-to place after zoo brews during the summer for years… And I 2nd…3rd…whatever the vote for Cosi Cucina!
We are headed to Paris, Rome, and Florence in about 6 weeks and I cannot wait! This is pretty much my dream trip
My Italy trip was amazing but my medical mission trip to Tanzania was the most life changing.
One year ago I was moving from a small town to a bigger city and switching jobs from a rural hospital RN to a intensive care unit RN. Wow that was really a year ago?! I’ve grown so much this past year.
Ireland was a life changing vacation for me. Went back 18 months later and it was just as magical as the first trip. Italy was next on my list and I’m excited to go next June!
Two, actually.
Five days in Paris with an old lover where I learned that no one in this world is worth it unless they love you as fiercely as you love them.
Six days in Cozumel with the man who would ask me to marry him just a few short months after we got home. We fell fiercely in love on that trip and decided we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. The rest is history.
Just found your blog about a month ago because ironically, I was researching stuff on Italy for our upcoming trip and up popped IGE!
Hubby and I are leaving in 9 days to spend TWO months in Italy – yay! I am turning 40 and this is my birthday present to myself.
We are staying in Rome, Tuscany, Positano, Capri, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, Lake Como and a little village in the Dolomites called Ortisei.
Then we are taking a cruise home from Rome to NYC on the Celebrity Silhouette for 11 days. HEAVEN!
I have marked down all your resto suggestions for Rome and Praiano and will try them out.
It was so fun to open your blog this morning and see this re-cap as I have been getting a bit nervous about the trip and seeing all your pics just got me all excited again.
Thanks!!
A year ago today I was getting out of a bad relationship and moving into my own apartment. Today life is much better as I have found the love of my life, and he took me on one of the best trips I have been on to date; Chicago! I had wanted to see Chicago for years and it did NOT disappoint. The deep dish pizza, the views of the lake, the people, THE POPCORN (garrett’s)!! I would move there from Dallas in a heartbeat! Well, except for maybe in the winter months