Two Parts Italy

These last few days of winter are the perfect time to think about plans for summer and fall travel. Deciding where to go is half the fun, but sometimes we need some inspiration. With that in mind, this week I hope to inspire some European travel plans through …. fountains. Below: Hinton Ampner, England; Saint-Martin Gardens, Monaco; Piazza de Spagna, Rome

Fountains show up throughout European cities, along streets, in squares, or tucked away in courtyards and gardens. Some are grand and others small, even utilitarian such as those that provide a water source for a market. Below: Lyon France, Campo dei Fiori Rome, Basel Switzerland

Some fountains are meant for daily function – such as here in Lucca where locals use the fountains in the city center to fill water bottles. Don’t try to tell them that the water is the same in each fountain lest you start a debate about which fountain has the best, freshest, tastiest water!

My favorite fountain in Lucca is the one in Piazza del Salvatore, locally known as La Fontana della Pupporona (loose translation - The Fountain of the Busty Lady). She is actually a Naiade (water nymph). You may recognize the statue that is integral to this fountain because I’ve written about it in the past and use it as a symbol of this blog. The fountain has dual roles – it provides a beautiful centerpiece for the piazza which is a local gathering place but is also a favorite place for residents and tourists alike to fill up their water jugs.

More elaborate fountains provide spectacular centerpieces around cafes, parks, or piazzas. The 3 below, in Rome, Padova, and Florence are pretty famous!

When I travel, I often find myself taking photos of fountains. And while I have the most photos of fountains in Italy, I also have quite a few from other countries. Below: Uses, France; Linz, Austria; Vienna, Austria; Aix-en-Provence, France

I hope these fountains will provide some inspiration for all of us as we plan upcoming travels. Or perhaps they will bring memories of past travels.