Day 13: ROMA - Part 1

Buon Giorno from ROMA!! Typical what we're doing over 2 days is combined into one, so the kids were quite grateful for the pacing of the next two days. Today's Part 1 took us to the Colessuem and to the Forum. The kids were in awe over the Colessuem and amazing at the size and enormity of it all. We climed up to one of hte top floors for a great birds eye view.

It was a hot one in Roma today - we heard in the 40's...which would be around 100. Not much shade in theis pic from the Forum... luckily we came prepared with water and snacks.

After grabbing some lunch near the Pantheon, we caught a bus to Hard Rock so some kids could shop, others chose the Bone Church and they were set free on the streets of Rome for 3+ hours. No worries - everyone made it back safe & sound!

After dinner, we did a Rome by Night Tour...Katelyn & Kathryn hang on for dear life. We got to see many of the amazing sites all lit up.

One of our pit stops was Trevi Fountain - these were all the kids I could round up quickly and still keep people out of getting into my photo.
One Coin over your Right Shoulder = make a wish
Two Coins = you'll come back...maybe with a novio/novia

Three Coins - you'll have a new relationship/marriage/divorce

Our last stop was to see if Benedict was up...so such luck. We'll go bother him tomorrow. Our day will be the Vatican & St. Peter's and then off to the catacombs!!

I'll try to blog tomorrow, but can't make promises :)

~steph :)

P.S. thanks for all your comments & sweet words - it's amazing how many are logging in to check out our many adventures - thanks - Merci - Grazie

Day 12: Pit Stops

Sorry I didn't get this blog up yesterday - didn't have time as we traveled from Florence to Rome and had to check into a new hotel...busy busy.

As you can see from these 2 first pics, this is how their time is spent on the bus...sound asleep! They don't know I took these - sorry girls!!

Our 1st stop was a ceramic factory that also had food testing. Some kids bought some stuff...some kids just sampled... sorry I can't tell you who did what otherwise I'd be ruining the surprises coming your way!

Our lunch stop was at this quaint house out in the Tuscan countryside...gorgeous! We had homemade pasta - DELICIOUS - then saw a cooking demo on how they make it... kids really enjoyed the food!

Our big stop of the day was Assisi to see St. Francis' cathedral and buiral grounds... what an amazing place! I know I was quite convicted coming out of there. The mosaic tiles, the marble, the paintings...priceless!

We arrived into Rome fairly late - 8 pm - and had to make a run to the grocery store to stock up for the warm weather awaiting us in Rome.

Kids are amazing - they are kind of getting tired of the rigors of travel...maybe missing home a bit... but are loving what they are seeing and doing. Travel is exhausting - but well worth the ride!

~steph :)

Day 11: Firenze & Pisa

Today we headed into Florence (Firenze) for a morning tour. We started with a leather demonstration and purchases were made...that's all I can say :) We then were taken around the city by a local guide. You can see the kids below listening to the guide as well as capturing some great Kodak moments.

Hunter's new friend :)

After our tour, we had to stop for some world famous Gelato from Grom...yummmm!!!

"Got Gelato?!?"

Next up was a quick trip to Pisa...so we got a nice nap in the bus on our way. I know it's just a leaning tower but it was actually pretty cool to see. I got surprised by it...we were walking thru all these vendors when we turned a corner and BAMN! there it was. Pretty cool! The church to the side of it was amazing!

Of course we had to do a jumping picture...our Tour Director, Mario, joined in this time!

We had a bit of free time and, as you can see, we have some Jersey kids!! These 3 lovely ladies went shopping in Paris and matching dresses - too cute!!

After a long day, we made our way back to the hotel and went our for dinner. Tonight was dinner on our own, so we went for pizza!!! Got a great deal: French Fries, Pizza & a coke for 10 Euros. Of coure, after dinner, we 'had' to go for gelato in the town square...super delicious!!

After dinner and gelato, we headed back to the hotel. The above photo is a typical night for us, with everyone on the cheap Wi-Fi. In our current hotel, we can get the Wi-Fi in our rooms, so we were all hanging out in the lobby. Nice, quite night.

Tomorrow we're packing up again and heading to ROMA!! We have a couple activities planned along the way: a ceramic demonstration, a cooking lesson, a stop in Assisi, before heading to dinner and our hotel near Roma.

Hard to believe we've been gone for 1.5 weeks...and harder to believe we'll be home Sunday already...where has the time gone?!?! London feels like forever ago!

Roma, here we come!!
~steph :)

Day 10: ITALIA

VIVA ITALIA!!!! We sadly said good-bye to Switzerland and headed south for Italia today. Today we spent quite a few hours in Cinque Terre, along the cost of Italy. All one has to do is a google search of the area to quickly realize how gorgeous this place is. There are 5 villages - we started with #3 and worked our way backwards.

As you can see, the kids quickly found some gelato...yumm!!

And, they got some beach time in... while it was little, it was fun to put the feet in the water. Luckily we'll get more time in Capri at the end of the week.

Tyler bought a soccer ball and the fun began - they were kicking it around, bumping it like Volleyball...Texas and Iowa kids all playing together - even making friends with the locals. :)

Had to take a picture of Sarah's eyes.... it's always a surprise as to what she'll have on...rumor for today is the Italian flag!!

All in all, things are going quite well. I've received muchos compliments about how awesome 'my' kids are and how they seem to have a smile on their face, loving life... you would too if you'd had the same experiences these kids have...and we still have a week to go!!!

Today we're off to Florence & Pisa and the weather is GORGEOUS!!
~steph :)

Feliz Cumpleanos Trisha!!

So, we got to celebrate another bday on tour - Today was Trisha Martin's 17th bday!
She got to spend her special day in 2 countries: Switzerland AND Liechtenstein - how cool is that!
She bought herself a swiss watch and we celebrated with sparklers on delicious cake!
I will load pics manana, but besides the rain, it was a great way to spend a bday!!

Day 9: SWITZERLAND

Sorry I can't post any pics - my computer does not like the wireless server here at our hotel and that's where my pics are - will get them up at the next opportunity.

But for now... today we headed up to Mount Pilatus... was a tad bit cloudy - couldn't see a thing when we got to the summit. But we enjoyed taking the cable cars up, sadly the luge was closed :( due to poor weather, then we took a cog car down and then ended back in Lucerne with a boat cruise. Was a tad chilly today but the scenery was breathtaking!!

We then did a quick walking tour thru Lucerne...how peaceful that place is... and then had free time for lunch, shopping, etc...

Our day concluded with a side trip - an unexpected surprise - a trip to Liechtenstein!! Yes, it does exist...yes we went there...wish the passport stamping office was open so I guess we'll have to return some day.

The kids are really enjoying this place - you'll see what I mean when I get pics posted...so lovely!
We are sad to leave this gorgeous place, but we're heading to ITALY tomorrow!!

°°steph :)

Day 8: The hills are alive...

Sadly we had to say good-bye to Paris and hit our 3rd country: SWITZERLAND!! We knew it was going to be a long day on the bus so we prepared for the worst and actually it wasn't as bad as we had planned.

Drove thru some lovely scenery in the south of France thru the Burgandy region, had a lunch break in Beaunne, a lovely little french town, and arrived in Lucerne just before dinner. Our hotel is nestled up in the mountains and had to take many winding roads to get here. But, the view is worth it:

The weather is a bit overcast and Saturday's is not predicted to be much better. We're off to Mount Pilatus tomorrow, hoping the luge track will be open, touring Lucerne and doing some shopping, then we're going for a scenic drive to Lichtenstein!! Should be a great day where we come back singing Sound of Music songs.

Auf wiedersehen - steph :)