This week marks my one-year anniversary of living in Italy. The traditional one-year anniversary gift is paper, which I see as fitting for the beginning of my next year in Italy (more on that in a moment).

My first year here has been filled with everything I love (except the friends and family who live elsewhere in the world): adventure, learning, new experiences, good food, good wine, great coffee and even greater friends and, of course, my lovable Labrador retriever. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic arriving about halfway through my first year, it has been a time to treasure. Some of my favorite photos from the past year are sprinkled throughout this post.

With this celebratory post I thank all the Two Parts Italy readers for following our blog and sharing our passion for Italy and travel in general. As I start my second year in Italy, I am staying put in Lucca but moving on from co-writing the blog, turning over all of the writing to Joanne. Two Parts Italy, and Joanne, will continue to keep you connected to Italy with weekly blog posts. (Joanne says she hopes to persuade me to write an occasional guest post.)

In the coming year, I am moving on to other endeavors, including going back to doing some painting and drawing (that’s why paper is fitting for this anniversary) and other writing, and focusing more on photography. The kind words from many of you about my photos have inspired me. Thank you! Who knows? Another blog might be in my future as well.   -post by Judy