It has been interesting to look back over 2012 to see which posts were the most popular. Bagni di Lucca and Beyond has been Freshly Pressed twice this year, which has been great fun. Thank you WordPress for choosing us.
The first Freshly Pressed post was about my home town of Brisbane for a post I did for Australia Day on 25th January. It was my most popular post of the year.
Number 2 was the second Freshly Pressed post…Cool Helsinki.
The incredible San Lorenzo markets in Florence came third in popularity…with good reason. This place is foodie heaven. I just wish it was a bit closer to home.
Number 4 was the gorgeous China Club in Hong Kong. My friends who live in Hong Kong take me there occasionally…lucky me.
A post called What to do in Bagni di Lucca was number 5. There is lots to see and do in our lovely village.
Number 6 was The most beautiful shop in the world…a big call I know, but I could live in this shop.
Tazza d’Oro, the best coffee in Rome scored 7th place. I can’t leave Rome without stopping for a coffee here.
Eat in Venice was 8th on the list. Venice is one of my favourite places in the world and posts on Venice are always popular.
A post about our growing house in Vergemoli was number 9. We will be back there soon to work on the garden to have the house ready to rent in late spring 2013.
Number 10 was The Amalfi Coast and Villa Cimbrone…surely one of the most beautiful places in the world. I lived near there many years ago and I visit the area as often as I can. 2012 is the 40th anniversary of my first trip to Italy…where does the time go?
The most popular post ever on the blog is one I wrote in 2010 about our Baby Blue Fiat. It has had more than 4,500 hits and somebody looks at it every day. It is a very cute little car.
la nostra machina
I wonder what will be popular in 2013.
This is a nice review… it is a pleasure to remember these.
By: maru on December 29, 2012
at 3:06 am
Difficult to choose which one I enjoyed the most.
By: mulino dominillo on December 29, 2012
at 3:53 am
Wonderful to revisit Deb. I can’t tell you how many times I recommend your blog as the most informative site I know for all things Italy.
One day we will return!
Happy New Year.
Ann
By: Anonymous on December 29, 2012
at 7:51 am
Thank you for the recommendation…I love to share my version of Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 29, 2012
at 10:16 am
I’m so happy you were freshly pressed twice! You deserve it. Your posts are always so beautiful. (Your blog is one of the only ones I read.)
I’m so excited about coming to meet you in Italy in May 2013. 🙂 We’ll definitely have to do a photography collaboration! 🙂
By: DAKOTA on December 29, 2012
at 8:03 am
I have been Freshly Pressed 4 times. The first time was in 2011 and I was also FP’d on Bella Bagni di Lucca earlier this year. It is great fun…as you would know.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 29, 2012
at 10:17 am
What a wonderful round-up, Debra – and the multiple FPs were well-deserved! I especially enjoyed the ones on the house in Vergemoli and the China Club… had no idea this little gem existed right in my backyard.
By: James on December 29, 2012
at 10:52 am
The China Club is wonderful, but you need to be a member or be invited by a member.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 29, 2012
at 1:40 pm
So difficult to chose! Your posts & photos are a joy and inspiration… Haven’t been to Italy in ages but now I think it’s time… starting with Bagni di Lucca perhaps… I’m so glad I found your blog, it’s a great point of reference… now I’ve just got to brush up my Italian!
By: Lia in Brussels on December 29, 2012
at 5:01 pm
It always helps to know a bit of the local language. It certainly makes travelling more fun if you can speak to people…even a little.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 29, 2012
at 9:00 pm
It is always a pleasure to stop by for a visit…you have shared so many wonderful places. It was a fun year to follow your travels.
By: Karen on December 29, 2012
at 7:33 pm
I hope to find a few new places in 2013…and rediscover some favourites.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 29, 2012
at 9:01 pm
Congratulations on two freshly-pressed posts in 2012. I enjoyed this round up of your top posts for the year.
By: Just Add Attitude on December 29, 2012
at 7:43 pm
Being Freshly Pressed is great fun. I hope it happens again.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 29, 2012
at 9:02 pm
Stunning photo of Brisbane at the top – shines a whole new light on good old BrisVegas! (from another resident) thanks for your brilliant photo is Italy.
By: Anonymous on December 29, 2012
at 11:46 pm
I think Brisbane is a beautiful city, I love coming home to Brisbane. The poincianas are looking gorgeous this summer.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 30, 2012
at 12:03 am
Congrats on a successful year! I’ve really enjoyed reading about Italy and the others (even my own town!) and enjoyed meeting you in person. I look forward to you making me long for Italy in 2013. Fingers crossed I have an opportunity to see BdL at some point!
By: Where's Wiwi? on December 30, 2012
at 12:28 am
And the jacarandas were absolutely blooming this year, rows and rows of blueish purple wherever you went – always at exam time. This year they were especially magnificent. Great photo of the Brisbane Square building. The photo of the Amalfi Coast and Villa Cimbrone is breathtaking. We stayed in Praiano, a pretty little village overlooking the Mediterranean Sea on the Amalfi Coast. Italy forever!
By: italia4ever on December 30, 2012
at 12:37 am
I was in Italy this year when the jacarandas were at their best. I wish sometimes I could be in both places at once. I will be back in Bagni di Lucca soon for some serious winter, then glorious spring…I love it.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 30, 2012
at 3:04 am
Buon natale e Buon anno a tutti!
By: italia4ever on December 30, 2012
at 2:52 am
What a trip down memory lane! I’m surprised how many of these posts I remember! 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on December 30, 2012
at 4:05 am
I love reading the end of year posts. It’s always interesting to see which ones make it to the top 10! Best wishes for another fabulous year of travel in 2013.
By: jenny@atasteoftravel on December 30, 2012
at 8:28 am
It is interesting to see which posts are the most popular. The one I did on washing hanging from houses also had a lot of hits.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 30, 2012
at 1:31 pm
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2013.
By: June Taylor on December 30, 2012
at 12:17 pm
Hi June, same to you. I hope we meet again in Bagni di Lucca.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 30, 2012
at 1:28 pm
Congratulations Debra for being my 20,000th comment.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TUJooBlGvQ]
By: aFrankAngle on December 30, 2012
at 12:52 pm
That’s great…I love the video clip. You are my 18,685th commenter. I am sorry I don’t have any fireworks for you.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 30, 2012
at 1:27 pm
That’s not a milestone number to celebrate. 🙁
By: aFrankAngle on December 30, 2012
at 7:55 pm
I have yet to reach 1,000 posts, which you did a while ago. I may get there this year.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 30, 2012
at 10:30 pm
Then you will qualify for the Mil Award.
By: aFrankAngle on December 30, 2012
at 10:46 pm
That sounds like fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 30, 2012
at 10:58 pm
Wonderful recap Deb and what a nice idea! I may have to take a look at mine as well as it is always interesting to see! Every post of yours is a top ten in my book! Happy New Year!!!
By: thirdeyemom on December 30, 2012
at 6:39 pm
It was interesting to look back over this year’s posts. I was a bit surprised by some of top posts, it is difficult to know what people will find interesting.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 30, 2012
at 10:29 pm
So true! I think some of my top posts are due to strange google searches. Why “Women in Morocco” is still getting hits mystifies me! Maybe they aren’t getting what they expected too when they see my site! 🙂
By: thirdeyemom on January 2, 2013
at 10:06 pm
Debra: You do such a wonderful job showing me where my grandparents grew up. it is such a beautiful area of Italy. i truly enjoy the other areas of Italy and beyond that i hope to visit one day…. thanks for giving me a view of what it must have been like to live there in the past and the now and future. happy New Year to you and you family. George M.
By: george on December 30, 2012
at 9:01 pm
I will be back in Bagni di Lucca soon and I am keen to visit all the villages for this blog and Bella Bagni di Lucca.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 30, 2012
at 10:31 pm
Everything is beautiful.
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones.
By: petit4chocolatier on December 31, 2012
at 9:30 pm
I was surprised to see which were the most popular posts. There were probably a few others I would have chosen, but it is difficult to know what people will like.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 31, 2012
at 10:36 pm
These all left an impression on me. Well Done for two ‘Freshly Pressed’ in a year! Keep on sharing. MLT
By: mltucker on January 6, 2013
at 5:37 am
Freshly pressed is fun. I would love it to happen again.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 6, 2013
at 2:05 pm
Congrats on being “Freshly Pressed” Debra. Your posts are always wonderful. 🙂
By: adinparadise on January 7, 2013
at 1:18 am
Thank you! The first time it happened in 2011 I was surprised and delighted. Last year it happened twice and that was fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 7, 2013
at 1:35 am
A wonderful review of your posts Debra, some there that I hadn’t read. Belated congratulations on the FP 🙂
By: Madhu on January 7, 2013
at 5:09 pm
Being Freshly Pressed is a lot of fun and always comes as a happy surprise.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 7, 2013
at 8:56 pm
Reblogged this on hasanstephchowdotcom and commented:
How we can to get there ? give me a way to there, PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By: Hasan Steph Chow on January 9, 2013
at 2:04 pm