You guys, I'm so excited, we're heading to Italy today! Last month, Michael Angelo's invited me on a trip of a lifetime. I'll get to join the Michael Angelo, his wife, Cheryl, and his mom, Sara, in Florence and Rome. We'll also be joined by a Michael Angelo's sweepstakes winner and her husband (they currently have a Trip to Italy sweepstakes going on right now…more on that below.) To say we're excited is an understatement.
We're going to see Pisa, visit wineries, Italian markets and tour a cheese factory. We're also going to take part in cooking lessons, I'm going to learn how to cook Italian food from an Italian grandmother…*swoon*. I don't have a full itinerary for Rome yet but we're so excited to visit the “Eternal City.”
What is Michael Angelo's? It's an Italian frozen meal company. Why would I, a food blogger, want to work with a frozen food company? It's a simple answer for me, because I love their meals. They taste really good and they are authentic recipes straight from Michael's mom, Sara, and grandmother, Foti.
Why do I love Michael Angelo's meals? First, they source the freshest and best ingredients. They even import some of their ingredients from Italy. Second, I can pronounce the list of ingredients on the side of the box. Third, their meals taste good. We usually keep at least two of their family size meals in our freezer for busy nights or for times I'm traveling or right before I travel and I don't feel like cooking.
I had the amazing opportunity to meet Michael, Sara and Cheryl in Austin this past June. They are so down to earth and I chatted with Sara like she was an old friend. I cannot wait to learn her recipes. I will say, I did try to pry out of Sara the secret herbs and spices for her eggplant parmesan and she wouldn't budge. At least I tried, right?
This picture was taken in June 2003, when Curtis and I got married. We had a quick surprise wedding on Curtis' birthday…it was a supposed to be a surprise birthday party for Curtis…and we ended up getting married! Haha I had just graduated from college the year before, we were just starting out so we never went on a honeymoon. This past June, we celebrated 10 years of marriage. We had always said, we'll take a big trip in 2013 for our 10-year anniversary but life kind of got in the way and we never planned that trip. And now here we are…and see below for details on how you can enter in to win a trip to ITALY!
Don't you want to win a trip to Italy??? Michael Angelo's is sponsoring another sweepstakes right now! Go enter right now! You can also get extra entries by joining the Michael Angelo's rewards program! The sweepstakes ends November 25, 2013.
Be sure to follow me on facebook, instagram and twitter and follow along on the #TasteItaly13 hashtag, I'm going to be sharing photos during the trip!
Sharelle D. Lowery says
Wow!!!…How exciting!!…I love thier meals as well and I had no idea that Michael Angelo’s was an actual family! Congratulations!!! God Bless You!
Betty Ann @Mango_Queen says
Awesome giveaway! Would love to win a trip to Italy! I can never get enough of it. There’s never enough time when we travel there and the food is out of this world. Looking forward to your posts and photos. I already follow you on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for the promo giveaway.
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
Can’t wait to hear all about your Italian adventure! Eat lots of gelato for me, please! XOXO
Michelle J says
Oh WOW!!! What an amazing opportunity! I’m so jealous! My foreign exchange “son” went back home to Italy in June and he was such a joy to have in our home. He taught us plenty about Italy, especially that he ate pasta daily! I couldn’t keep the pantry full enough while he was living with us. NO JOKING! He would eat a pound of pasta by himself! Someday I hope to visit Italy and experience the culture first hand. Enjoy your fabulous trip! I can’t wait to see all the photos!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
What an incredible adventure! Have the time of your life, Julie!
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
Yay! So exciting!! Hope you have a wonderful trip! 🙂
Robin @ Simply Southern Baking says
Have fun Julie! Enjoy this special trip.
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
Have an amazing trip, Julie! So excited that you guys finally have the chance to go on a belated honeymoon! 🙂
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat says
So fun! Have a great time. You deserve it!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Awww, I love your story! Have a fabulous time, Julie!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Awww, that’s amazing, Julie! Have a great trip! And happy 10 year wedding anniversary!
Donna says
Congratulations! I really like Michael Angelo’s too. It was their ingredient list that got me to buy the first time and then of course the taste after that. Wish you the best.
Laura (Got Chocolate) says
WOOOOOOW!!! HAVE FUN!!! I’m SO jealous!!! ;D
Jane says
Have a great trip! What a great opportunity.
My husband and I just got back from Venice.
Enjoy some pizza, it is wonderful in Italy.
(And beware of pickpockets, I’ve known several people who have been victims.)
Anabel Lonberger says
Wow this is great…! I never been to italy…(,”) and have a wonderful and unforgetable vacation…(,”)
Sally Tews says
HAVE FUN <3
Rachel Cooks says
I am SO excited for you and love the fact that Curtis can go as well so you guys get a “honeymoon.” How perfect! Enjoy every minute!
Katie says
I’m so incredibly excited for you! I’m so glad you guys are getting to go on your “honeymoon”… and to the eternal city… ahhh! Think of me when you climb Pisa… it was a life changing experience for us. It made being in Italy “real” for us.
Jen M O says
What an amazing opportunity!
Julius @ Droolius says
This is so awesome! Enjoy your trip! I hope you guys eat lots of great food and I can’t wait to see the photos 🙂