Fun moments...
There were so many fun moments on this trip. Many of our family and friends back home were following the trip via photos we were posting daily. The one comment they all made was that we all looked so happy, and appeared to be having the time of our lives. Which of course we were. The following are some of the photos that captured those moments.
Rome
Rome was the starting point of our tour, and we were just finding our feet.
Rome was the starting point of our tour, and we were just finding our feet.
Tuscany & Florence
We were Fortunate enough to be in Florence for St John's feast day
We were Fortunate enough to be in Florence for St John's feast day
After a long hot day in Florence a lot of fun was had in the pool back in Tuscany
We were also treated to an Italian cooking lesson, in which the cooks really involved the kids. The dish they created was ravioli with basil pesto. This dish was served at dinner that evening..Bellissima. What also made it unique was the fact that the world cup soccer was taking place as we were travelling through Europe. This particular night Italy were playing Uruguay. The TV was on in the background as we all wanted to see Italy win. Alas this was not meant to be, Italy lost to Uruguay 0-1. Italy was now out of the world cup.' Que Sera Sera', onto another country and another team to barrack for.
Venice
We had so much fun in Venice. We were really starting to settle in as a group and getting to know one another. Friendships were being formed. We were becoming very comfortable with one another.
We had so much fun in Venice. We were really starting to settle in as a group and getting to know one another. Friendships were being formed. We were becoming very comfortable with one another.
After spending the day discovering what Venice has to offer, we were let loose on our own for dinner. A group of us headed off to find a restaurant suggested by none other than the man himself Rick Steves', curtesy of his guide book. This was by no means an easy task. Even armed with a map of Venice, the chances of actually finding the restaurant were in the lap of the gods. As we meandered through the streets of Venice, drinking in all the sights and sounds, we came across a fruit market that was packing up for the day.
Somehow we managed to end up buying 3 kilos of cherries for 5 Euros. After washing them at a nearby water fountain we began devouring them. Only to find that turning the next corner we had stumbled across the restaurant. Our next problem was that we were now a group of ten, not easy to walk in off the street and find a table for ten. The restaurant was so accommodating and arranged a large table out in the square with many of the other dinners, as it was a beautiful balmy night.
Somehow we managed to end up buying 3 kilos of cherries for 5 Euros. After washing them at a nearby water fountain we began devouring them. Only to find that turning the next corner we had stumbled across the restaurant. Our next problem was that we were now a group of ten, not easy to walk in off the street and find a table for ten. The restaurant was so accommodating and arranged a large table out in the square with many of the other dinners, as it was a beautiful balmy night.
There was a group of veteran rowers from Finland seated behind us, and two French couples on the end of our table. As the night progressed and the drinks flowed, the rowdier the rowers got. They began to sing, the rest of us joined in cheering and clapping along with them. This only encouraged them further. They continued to sing, and a lovely evening was had by all, regardless of the language barrier.
The evening was capped off by a very eventful walk back to the motel.
Austria & Germany
After travelling on the bus from Italy to Austria, the kids were ready to let off some steam and burn off energy. Lucky for us our accommodation had an outdoor play area.
After travelling on the bus from Italy to Austria, the kids were ready to let off some steam and burn off energy. Lucky for us our accommodation had an outdoor play area.
This enabled the adults to kick back and have drinks in the outdoor beer garden, while admiring the view.
After a relaxing evening we headed off the next day for our hike across the boarder into Germany. Our destination was Neuschwanstein Castle. When we reached the boarder we had to take the obligatory photo of one foot in each country.
Once we reached Neuschwanstein Castle it was a mad rush to the top of the hill. We had missed our earlier tour due to getting lost. Thankfully we all made it on time for our rescheduled tour. Then there was time for a relaxing lunch by the lake.
The Tegelburg Luge was a huge hit with everybody. When we woke in the morning to grey skies and light drizzle, we thought that we would be unable to visit the luge. For safety reasons the luge is closed when it is wet. However the gods were smiling on us that day, as the sun came out and the skies cleared to a beautiful day.
The girls faces say it all.
Although the big kids seem to be enjoying themselves also.