A few weeks of goodbyes to our friends and family as we set off for a long planned journey around Europe for 3 months. What began as a plan to caravan around Australia slowly evolved into travel abroad as the world began to open up again post 2 years of the covid pandemic, locks downs and unusual times for us all.

What began as discussions about a trip in a caravan to the possibility of overseas travel again, we are excited to see months of planning come to fruition. Looking forward to the experience of Europe, culture, food and history together with Andrew, Mila and Thomas. We will make some amazing memories, no doubt have a few stories to share along the way but above all, we are living every precious moment of life on this earth with everything we have.

A quick coffee stop with mum & dad at the airport and opportunity for final goodbyes then through to customs which was alarmingly quiet. After so long between being in an international terminal it was unusual to find no ques and so many stores not open but the results of the pandemic continue to impact the world and travel. Just another reason to remind us how lucky we are to be doing this.

A few snacks in the lounge a celebratory bubbles and, a chat with granny, Fiona then we are off to the gates for our 6pm flight. So happy to arrive at our seats in business. I know how lucky we are to do the flights this way, the kids have no idea! The air line crew treat them like royalty and offer them anything and everything on the menu. Shame both are so fussy as the meals are met with little interest. They fill up on snacks and orange juice before both get a few hours sleep. I manage a few too inbetween movies then the torture of arriving in Singapore at 2am Sydney time. Kids are surprisingly taking it well and get on with the task of changing planes. Not much time to wait before we board our next leg.

Sydney to Zurich we get on with some more sleep, kids get a few more hours. Andrew and I are fairly restless and I end up watching movies and have a late night snack. The seats are very wide on this leg and have an unusual angled bed system but works well for the kids! They end up waking up hungry so I arrange some 2 minute noodles plain as, which confuses the airline staff! Thomas gobbles it down. Mila is fussy and doesn’t eat much.

At 8am we land in Zurich and all feeling reasonably ok given the long flight. Excited to begin our travels and see my cousin Rudi. We exit through a very short line at customs \240and collect our luggage (new black bag with broken zipper and wide open on the carrousel!) and jump on the train which is all very easy. It’s just under the terminal. Time of just over an hour to arrive in Basel and get to see some lovely sights on the way. Rudi is waiting our arrival and greets us with big hugs. We somehow manage the 4 large bags squished into the boot along side the kids and I in the back seat, Thomas on my lap. Arriving at Rudi and Kriszta’s place in 15 minutes. It’s a lovely apartment and they have kindly given us their beds to sleep in so we can recover from jet lag..(they are sleeping on their lounge and mattress for the next 3 days).

After a quick run down of the area and the apartment, we have a shower and get ready to head out and explore Basel for the day. We are determined to stay up and get some sunshine to align our bodies to the new time zone.

We catch the tram into Basel town centre with Rudi who continues onto work for the day. We start with some lunch at a local Mexican (which serves everything from burgers, queasadila, salads and schnitzel) I order a salad, kids are happy with schnitzels and chips. The waiter isn’t so friendly, Andrew impresses me with his German skills. The waiter takes advantage of our tourist status and won’t give us tap water but an expensive bottle of still for the kids. We learn it is illega to do thisl as restaurants must give tap water when requested. He tries to tell us Mila isn’t eligible for the kids meal either even though she is 9 and the kids meals are for up to 10. Mila hits a wall at unch and begins complaining about being tired.

After lunch we walk to the lovely historic town hall building, have our first coffee (learning a machiatto isn’t the same here) kids are impressed by the statues and glory of this building.kids enjoy their first ice cream of the trip, though Kila isn’t impressed by the dark chocolate gelato!

We continue onto the famous Rhine River where we walk to a padlock gate where people have offered up their symbols of love. This is where Mila decides she has reached her limits for the day and we must head back for some rest. We stop in a local soccer club shop where Thomas picks up a sticker then walk back to the restaurant as we realise we have left behind Thomas’ back pack! Jump on the tram back for a very brief nap which turns out to be hour for myself and the kids as we are wrecked! It is impossible to get Mila and Thomas awake for some dinner but after much effort we get them awake for a quick dinner. Kriszta & Rudi home from work provide a lovely spread of cheeses and cold meats. Perfect for a night in with jet lag. Day 1 over & out!

Started the day with a 6km walk through the country side in Basel. Beautiful fields of green, growing vegetables, jersey cows and chickens. Lots of little plots that residents of apartments can buy with small gardens and play equipment for the kids. Need to brush up on my German greetings for my morning walks.

We set off for a day in Basel town. Starting with a delicious Japanese meal which we all love! Poke bowl, not quite the same as my green house fave but definetly hit the spot!

After lunch we walk to the beautiful, Basel minster cathedral. Through the small cobble stone streets we enjoy looking at shops (briefly) I discover some of my faves along the way. Danger! Inside the Cathedral is equally impressive.stunning stain glass panels and seating for thousands. We discuss what it would be like to experience mass in a cathedral like this! The kids light a candle for their grandparents health and dead’s brother who passed recently. (Rudi’s father - my uncle). We decide to climb the very steep stairs the top of the church and bell tower which is challenging and narrow but of course Thomas sees it a challenge, a race and flies to the top! I am astounded the at the energy of the kids only a few short days after the long flight from Sydney. Jet lag seems to have passed quickly for them. Sadly I can’t say the same for myself.

The views are amazing, we can see long sections of the Rhine river and city skyline. Going back down the steep stairs is a little hairy, steps are narrow for large size 9.5 feet! Much easier the kids little feet and nimble bodies. At the bottom we walk down towards the Rhine River for a family snap and boat trip that runs across to the other side with the current. It’s fun and a bit o af novelty for us all. At the other side we find a cafe to enjoy a coffee and hot chocolate Swiss style. Kids are perplexed with the large milky frothy drink arrives with a chocolate sachet following. They empty the contents into the tall glass with much joy amd realise this is great and very chocolatey! Andrew and I aren’t so lucky and realise the machiato we ordered is a latte machiatto which is a long coffee drink with loads of milk! It was good in the end, warming as it started to rain while we sat there.

Quick coffee chat and we decide the afternoons activity. A visit to the paper museum.

On Rudi’s advice we decided to explore the beautiful town of Colmar over the Swiss border in France. A short tram then train ride to this lovely spot with its very own little Venice! The journey is lovely through fields of green and Thomas is amazed when we tell him we have just switched countries after only a few short kilometres.

When we arrive the pretty historic town is a walk from the train station through the most lovely park of monuments and it’s own vintage carousel. Buildings are colourful in Colmar, gorgeous little shops, lots of touristy bits, saussicon, cheeses, crepe stands, boutiques.

We walk the streets and find a spot to eat after much deliberation! It’s difficult to choose when there are so many great options of typical French style eatieries with seating facing out to the street for people watching. Andrew has a croque monsier, I have a salad nicoise and the kids go for the very traditional nuggets and chips! We have a lovely waitress.

We then pop over to the nearby church, St Martin’s Cathedral which is covered in scaffolding in surrounding streets and outwardly while enormous and impressive isn’t the most appealing of church’s but inside it’s beautiful and has great history for Colmar. Stain glass windows, a very traditional confessional which fascinates Mila. Thomas lights another candle.

We continue exploring the town and find the romantic spot called little Venice. It is on a canal with gondolas which take the short trip. We first pop into a local market place and find some amazing French cheeses, one of which Thomas enjoys. The lady who sells us cheese is intrigued by our big trip and is very friendly. We buy a French cheese that’s soft and smelly on the recommendation of a another customer. Andrew and I grab a quick afternoon coffee and we take some great photos near the canal and the colourful buildings that surround it. As we walk down the pathways beside the canals we find a nougat shop and the kids are excited to try some. The guy in the shop explains how it is made so we buy a piece!

We continue our journey through the streets of Colmar. We buy some French wine in a lovely French bottle shop with walls of wines and beers and head into the toy museum where we spend an hour exploring the historical toy exhibition. There is even an 80’s section and barbies. Andrew and I were both happy excited to see the “tree house” toy that we both had as children of the 80’s. There are trains, model planes, a Lego section, historical dolls and old nintendos. Model cars, robots! We watch a marionette show in French which all seems a little silly and not so interesting for the kids but funny to watch!

Everyone is starting to feel pretty tired after a long day of walking so we decide to take a seat and write post cards while mum & dad enjoy a little drink. We walk back to the train station at a pace to make our journey back to Basel.

That night we stop in at a burger place for dinner and head back to Rudi & Kriszta’s for an early night.

It’s Friday and we pack up our things getting ready to leave Basel for our trip to Grindelwald where we plan to spend 5 nights. Kristzta and Rudi will join us for the long weekend.

The kids do the journals in the morning and we walk to the local grocery store which is an experience in itself! I love looking at groceries in other countries and this is amazing. The cakes, salamis, cheeses. A section for Gruyère! Chocolates of every Swiss kind. We buy a few snacks and supplies then head back to the local park for active play before the afternoon drive.

Andrew does well on the drive to Grindelwald, as it’s been some time since driving on the opposite side of the road. We stop at a roadside eatery whch looks primitive from the outside but pleasantly suprised inside there is a store that sells list chocolates of every kind, snacks, sandwiches and lots of hot food selections. We have a quick lunch and then continue on our journey for another hour.

The sites are stunning along the way as drive into and under mountains through tunnels. We pass beautiful rivers, traditional Swiss chalets, lots of cows, waterfalls and fast flowing rapids.

When we arrive in Grindelwald it’s such a stunning site. I continue to pinch myself that we have actually made it to this picturesque part of the country. We are surrounded by mountains and are immmedicqtky in awe of the Eigor which sits in front of our chalet. The apartment we have for the next 5 days is comfortable, very traditional Swiss style. Lots of old furnishings, a very simple kitchen. The kids share a room, the master has the most stunning views of the eigor and might files. We give this room to Kristzta and Rudi who have you their own beds for us in thei apartment when we arrived. We settle into our place and Rudi sets off to collect Kristzta at the train station. Andrew and I take the kids to the supermarket for some supplies we do a simple platter of cheese, salami, dips and olives for our first night in and the kids have spaghetti. We enjoy the stunning view and moderate temperatures on our balcony and catch up. Kids sleep really well that night, beds and pillows are very comfy. .

A day taking the gondola up to First to hike and see the beautiful sights from 2184 elevation. The ride takes about 30 minutes to arrive at the top where we will commence out hike. A round trip of 6km. The journey up is stunning as we see the snow capped mountains, cows with their bells on and some waterfalls among the way. We see the adventure sports that are on offer on this mountain. Flying like an eagle, a chair swing that flies over the valley and some trike bikes and scooters. Mila looks apprehensive about the trike bikes which are about the only activity we can actually all do together due to kids heights and ages. Andrew is excited about the eagle ride which has you laying flat as you are propelled over the mountain as speed!

At the top of the mountain we begin the hike. The beginning is tough and I feel so unfit! Not sure if I have already lost some stamina while eating and travelling the last week or it’s the high altitude which is affecting me. Thomas is a gun and doesn’t stop! Always ahead and even running parts. The kids love the site of snow in parts and take to throwing snow balls at Rudi.

About 4km in we reach two lakes in between the mountains which are a stunning sight and great photo opportunity. Mila decides to take her shoes off as she struggles with the last section of the walk. In fact Rudi and I have to really motivate her to make it to the end. She walks the snow bare feet so they feel refreshed! After a few photos and a small snack, we make the walk back to the start and to the sky walk which is heaving. It’s amazing and very high up on the edge of a mountain. We don’t make it to the tip as there are so many Indian families taking photos and the wait seems too long!

We had back down to the park with a view where we have some lunch. I have my first cheese fondue for the trip. A small “Instagram” worthy serving with the alps as the back drop. Thomas has his first pork schnitzel whjch looks really good and he enjoys! The kids enjoy the time hanging out at the playground with lots of climbing and obstacles.

After lunch we decide to take the kids up the mountain to do the 3 wheel bikes \240jt the wait is over an hour now so we head back down and run into Rudi and Kriszta. Time for an ice cream for the kids which is well deserved after their big hike!

We wander around town and head back to our apartment for a super quick power nap (me) and a shower before we head to dinner at Barry’s restaurant. This is a great spot and the food is good however Kristzta and I choose a salad with prawns which ends up being spicy.

Andrew Rudi and Thomas share a steak cooked on the stone. With lots of condiments it looks great. Next to us a table of women arrive with their two dogs. One a German Shepard! This is very acceptable in Switzerland.

We all sleep well after a busy day of hiking and activity!

An early morning start as we set off by car to Trummelbach as the weather by afternoon is supposed to turn with storms predicted.

A short journey to this area, where we see the commanding mountain we are about to ascend in a very impressive Swiss lift. The lift is dark and cold and when we arrive at the top we continue walking up stairs to view various waterfalls throughout the mountain. It’s loud and impressive. The floor is slippery. Some waterfalls spray us and the water is quite refreshing! It’s so cold up in the mountain and we have hoods on, jackets zipped. It’s pretty amazing seeing powerful waterfalls inside a mountain. We walk to each level and through tunnels for different view points. We decide to walk back down which is a good choice as we get to see different parts of the waterfalls.

At the bottom, we take a snack break then jump in the car to drive to a train station which will take us to Wengen for a music festival that Rudi is keen to visit.

When we arrive the weather looks ominous and very quickly turns to cold, wind and rain. We run down the streets to find a warm place to eat lunch and the first, a little Italian is at capacity so we end up at a local hotel which serves food. It’s great as I end up trying the local pizza. Flammkuchen which is a think crust base topped with cheese, sour cream, bacon and onions. The kids have sandwiches packed (Mila Nutella, Thomas peanut butter and honey which he refuses to eat) so proceeds to eat all the bread he can get his hands on!

Quick coffee then walk to the festival which is well underway. Lots of traditional dress and musicians. Thomas finds some locals who are playing soccer down on the field adjacent to the festival and approaches them to play. It’s a girl and boy who look 17 or 18. They are happy to include them in their game of piggy in the middle. Slowly the game grows and lots of other teens want to join in and it becomes a game! They work out teams and Thomas is chuffed to be included. I feel so proud of Thomas to even approach these kids in the first place and he manages to hold his own even scoring a goal! He has a great time playing then we head off behind the field to find a small park which has a little ball run which is a novelty for kids in the area and a slack line.

Everyone has a go on the slack mine though I am not very good as my balance is shot! Mila is especially great and gets across a few times without falling off. Andrew is pretty great at it too. Thomas gets frustrated as he can’t make it to the end.

We jump on the train back down the mountain to our car and drive back into Grindelwald.Kriszta makes a great smoked salmon pasta for the adults, kids have their usual pastas and after we have chocolate fondue with various fruits. It’s really yummy and Mila is a big fan. We talk about a fondue birthday party!

Another great day and our last night with Kriszta and Rudi before they head home to Basel.

Jungfraujoch Top Of Europe - a very early morning start getting the kids fed and out of the apartment.

German sausages all round for dinner in with an amazing tomato and burrata, basil salad.

Our final morning in Grindelwald and the sun is out for full visibility of the surrounding mountains. I’m feeling a little sad about our departure as it’s been such a memorable few days of exploring this region. I will miss the view from our apartment. We pack up garbage and our many bags, the garbage has to be separated and taken into town to be disposed of. Bottles separate, cans crushed and discarded. Garbage placed in barcoded garbage bags. It’s an interesting way of doing things and certainly makes you far more aware of how much rubbish you make and throw away (or how many bottles of wine and beer you have drunk in a week) ☺️

We meet Andrew in town after he strategically packs the car with esky, bags and some groceries. We run through our Tik tok dance which Mila has choreographed for us to the Queen song Don’t stop Me now. Our intent is to perform a tik tok as a family in all the European destinations we visit. We are family rusty as really mila is the only one who has practiced. Thomas is pretty good too! We perform a few times and make a video. It’s pretty funny and we aren’t very polished but it’s fun and will be a cool memory to have of our stay in every place.

It’s almost 11am when we finally set off and we are driving to the chocolate factory Rudi has mentioned. Maison Cailler. On the way we stop at the most amazing mountains filled with cows and narrow roads that lead us up the pass. We stop for my cow bell photo at a lovely spot on the pass so I can get a photo with a Swiss cow. Travel goals! We continue our drive and reach the chocolate factory and not sure what to expect but it’s does exceed my expectations! It’s like a Disney ride as we start a audio tour in English which takes us through the history of chocolate and how the brand begin and eventually merged with Nestle. There is theatrics, lights and smokes as we hear about the ancient cocoa and the trade of it in early times. It’s a very interesting way to hear the history of chocolate and the sweet but is the end where we here about the ethical way cocoa is farmed and we see the process of some chocolate being made then get to taste. It’s crazy as there is a room full of Chocolte samples of every kind and in all honesty I would have tried everyone but for the fact I knew i would not feel well after. I did give it a good crack and after in the shop kids have a hot choc and we buy some bits as a souvenir. Post cards, magnets.

We then continue our journey to the cheese factory but on approach notice an amazing castle chateau Gruyere which we decide to explore. It’s full of history and intertisting artifacts. A mummified hand is intriguing for Mila and I. It’s hard to encourage kids to read about the history of this place so we use the opportunity to ask questions about what is in the text so the look for the facts! It’s successful but not without some whinging from Mila. We explore for an hour then continue to the cheese factory and decide not to take a tour as time is running out and we want to get to our accommodation in Annecy. In our haste to buy cheese we don’t realise we need a ticket for parking as. Return to our car with a ticket of 40 Cf. It’s makes our brief visit annoying.

Arriving in Annecy late is a little tough as we don’t know exactly where we are staying location wise and there is no on sight parking so we need to find a space in the street. After a few laps, Andrew leaves the kids and I with bags. Mila needs to wee so I let her go in the street as I have no idea where there are toilets nearby and by now she is desperate. A man approaches us and it’s the apartment owner waiting for us. He helps us to the apartment, a short walk from where Andrew left us. Thank goodness we have a lift as we have so many heavy bags! \240The couple don’t speak much English so we try a broken chat before Andrew arrives. They show us around then head off. Andrew goes to the supermarket for some supplies and I feed the kids pasta thank goodness we have this as it’s late and all a but exhausted. Andrew and i have a very late cheese and salami plate, some wine and reflect on the day!

First full day in Annecy and it’s a mixed bag. The location is stunning, I am so impressed with the beautiful lane ways, cobble stoned streets, colourful architecture and canals. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and the lovely lake Annecy which I walk to for my morning exercise. Unfortunately it’s over cast so the town is not looking as amazing as jt would in the sunshine but stil a beautiful place to be. I return from my morning walk around 10.30 and kids are still stuffing around with their school work and trying to complete journals. A little frustrated as was hoping to be a little more efficient with the school work and making most of our days. We had much better momentum early on and seem to have lost the desire and motivation to get things done. Mila’s journal for the previous day is less then impressive as she goes back to very basic accounts of the days events!

We finally pack and get out of the apartment around 11.30 and walk towards town. Very quickly mila and I become separated from the boys as Mila discovers my new favourite kids brand which she is equally as enamoured by. It’s a cool mix of kids street wear, pretty fashion and she loves the look for her. I could but everything. The boys wear is equally as cool. The brand is called ikks.com and they also do mens and womens apparel. I later tell Andrew if I put this stuff into a shop in Lane cove it would go nuts! Problem is it’s expensive stuff so the lovely outfit mila tries on is a no go and the shop assistant seems unimpressed when I tell her we will be back later! 95aud for the shorts and $43 for the top!

Mila actually understands but does repeat to the lady in the shop we plan to keep looking at other shops! Rooky error.

We continue to walk down the streets and look at shops (mainly kids) see lovely cafes and patisseries, butchers, vegetable markets, a carousel outside a church and take some photos by the canals. We run into Andrew and Thomas just as the rain starts so we take cover inside a lovely church. One of many in town.

We then start the search for somewhere to eat that serves something that our Mila and Thomas will eat. Let’s just say it’s the beginning of a very frustrated reality of how our childrens fussy eating will affect our culinary journey around Europe! We find a place with a hot dog on the kids menu but the kids aren’t happy with this. The only place with nuggets is a pub and we end up inside at the back and feels like we could be anywhere. All Andrew and I wanted was a lovely spot on the canal, a simple baguette or salad and a glass of vino/beer. We pass plenty of these kind of places. Sadly we won’t be going today. We decide tomorrow we will pack kids lunches and they can eat first before we sit down for our lunch! A much better solution for everyone. Less angst for us all. Andrew has mussels which he enjoys and I eat another flammkuchen which sadly doesn’t meet up to the one I had in Wengen.

think we really give it to the kids and Thomas feels bad. Sadly I don’t think our getting frustrated helps the situation and we have to accept this is our kids right now. Maybe another trip in the next few years will bring a different attitude. But then maybe they won’t be so enthusiastic about travelling with us! Aside from the issue they are pretty great travellers so far.

After lunch we continue to explore town on foot for a few hours. We then decide to walk back to get bikes that the owner has kindly offered us. Unfortunately Milas is too big for her and has a cross bar which is quite uncomfortable for her. So Mila and I don’t go on the bike ride. Thomas and Andrew head off leaving Mila very upse. We walk back to town and towards a small shopping centre which houses some bigger brands including Zara where we spend a good half hour trying on various outfits and buy a top for Mila which makes her afternoon. It’s fun shopping with her, she loves fashion and outfitting and has an opinion which is kind of nice as it’s been years since I have been in stores overseas and I am excited to see something new again even if it is a brand we have in Australia!

Thomas and Andrew ride to the lake and a beach and return bikes to head to a pub. Mila and I finally find them and we find a spot to have another drink.

We walk to a supermarket not so conveniently located and stock up on evenings supplies for Andrew to cook a Thai dish the kids love (well Thomas does) it seems ridiculous to be in France with all the lovely produce and restaurant options yet we are cooking Thai but it’s welcome as it’s not rich and heavy as some of the food has been. Mila proceeds to pick out the green beans which is the straw that breaks the camels back. We are all tired but somehow kids have energy to create the next tik tok dance and Andrew practices with kids while I tidy up. I am done for the day and ready for bed. Andrew does a great job editing our grindelwald tik tok. We share to a few friends and family. Insta removes my post as we don’t have rights to use the music! Rooky mistake!

A glorious morning big in Annecy. We wake to sunshine and blue skies.Andrew returns from his morning walk and I head off for mine. Our new morning routine. Albeit a little later then our Sydney exercise program. I am still struggling to get out of bed but vow to get back into some earlier starts. The walk is lovely as I head around the right of the lake to explore a new part. I can see swimming areas and lots of people out on bikes already. Ducks frequent the lake all along as well as cheeky swans which we are learning are very tame and love to fossick around your picnic!

When I return kids are still stuffing around with homework and we wrap things up to head out at 11.30. We decide we will use the bikes that have been kindly offered to us free from our hosts. They are good bikes but sadly the one for Mila is very large with big wheels and cross bar so we walk to the local bike hire and find her a bike more suitable. After we collect these we take a shirt ride to a local beach section on the lake Plage Imperial. It’s a lovely spot and not too busy when we arrive. There is discotheque and bar, restaurant behind and looks like pavilions and things being set up for njght time activity. There is also a pontoon slide and people braving the icy cold water including Andrew only briefly. Thomas jumps in too but only briefly and realises it’s just too cold. Mila gets in and out fairly quickly too.

I on other hand am totally chicken it’s just too cold for me and just not quite warm enough out to enjoy.

We may here and I people watch for some time. It’s interesting young or old how everyone gets in and out of swim wear using towels as modesty or layerin techniques! Some sunbathe top less and age is no barrier. I wish I was so brave but at the same time lucky I didn’t as I proceed to get burnt as I have unwisely not slip slop slapped. The kids happily play in the nearby playground for an hour or so then have their pack lunches. Peanut butter and honey on Fresh baguettes. It’s a hit!

We pack up our things and bike back into town where Andrew and I select a little spot on the canal for lunch. It’s perfect and pretty. I have a lovely Italian style salad with tomotoes and burrata, prosciutto. Andrew has saussiso and escargot. I try one it’s very heavily garnished with olive oil and garlic. We drink Chardonnay. I start with a lovely aperol. It’s all very indulgent but such a lovely experience compared to our previous days lunch and we decide this is a far better strategy for all to remain happy!

After the kids get an icecream of their choice from the place with 74 flavours. Thomas chooses a blue bubblegum flavour and as he walks out of the store the top drops offf and the tears begin! Andrew arrives and gets him another scoop. We then decide to ride the other direction of the lake to explore. We find some lovely little bars that serve snacks and drinks right on the water and one seems quite popular and has a buzz so we stop for a drink on some deck chairs while kids play on the rocks and jetty near the water in front.it’S a beautiful spot we all enjoy. We then head back to return our bikes for the evening.

In town we find a spot on the canal to have dinner. I have my first French steak. Andrew has steak tartare. Kids have nuggets which both complain are the worst they have had. Might motivate them to branch out and try new things! My steak is good, very pink but I get through it. \240

We walk home all very tired after another busy day! Looking forward to slowing it down tomorrow.

A day we all needed. Slowing down the pace. Andrew and I do our morning walks, kids do journals and a little maths. We know next week will be difficult as we are in the move quite a bit so getting them to keep up the school work even on the weekend. The rest of the day is pretty fun so not so bad!

Andrew brings home fresh croissants from his morning walk and the kids have these. I enjoy them too especially with the fresh home made jam the owner of our apartment has left for us. It’s delicious. (There is also home made apple juice which Thomas loves, it’s super sweet).

We head out for the day on bike and foot, Thomas and I walk as we need to hire a bike for Mila. On the way we discover a cute play area which I think is built as a space for kids and adults alike. Huge wooden constructions with platform swings you can relax on. This is adjacent to a water fountain and restaurant which looks like the perfect spot for dinner tonight!

We meet Andrew at the bike shop and continue onto a new beach for the days activity. Plage D Albiony. This is only a 15-20 minute ride on the bike path. I lose Andrew and the kids but find them at the beach! The weather is stunning today. The crystal clear water looks even more amazing with sunshine out. We spend the day sun baking and reading, journals. Kids love building castles and a volcano by the waters edge. I get into the water briefly with the kids later in the day as it’s warm and the water is now refreshing. We eat our packed lunches and kids have ice creams from one of the many street vendors who walk along the beach.

It’s a beautiful day spent at a slower pace which we all needed. We ride home in the afternoon. Freshen up at the apartment and change for dinner quite close to us. The place where Thomas and I discovered the giant swings has a good menu so we give it a go. I have a nice tuna dish, Mila has ham and chips! The kids play in the green space and we finish our wine. They have there lemon gelatos at the table. A small walk around town to finish the night and then back to the apartment.

It’s going to be a warm day as temperature already up to 18 degrees on my early morning walk. After brekkie and journals (fresh croissants for the kids - thanks dad) we head to the local growers markets which is full of locals selling French saussiso, cheeses, pastries, sweets, jewellery and toys. Thomas finds a stand selling gold rare pokemon cards which he ends up getting as a treat. We select some beautiful olives from the region and head back to our apartment for our lunch out with Robbie and his Geneva friends Lou and Jimmy. We pick up a beautiful turquoise bike for Mila with basket which says French little girl so well.

We decide to ride dressed up ready for our lovely water side lunch. It’s hot by now. Mila and I are separated from Thomas and Andrew early on so it’s up to us to find our way and at this stage no idea of what the Restaurant js called or how far we need to travel on the bike path. It gets quite hilly and Mila starts to complain. The lake side is very busy with lots of families, people enjoying the swimming spot along the way. It’s lovely people watching but also hard now to motivate Mila to make the bike journey up the hill. I check the reference Andrew has given and looks like ww are close but somehow miss out turn off and end up at least a km last the turn off. When we realise we walk back down the hill as the road is now very busy. Both Mila and I are frustrated now, hot and over it! We use google maps voice guidance to get us back on track and finally arrive albeit an hour later than we were supposed to meet!

Lou and Jimmy are very understanding and promptly pour Mila and I a drink to get us hydrated. Mine is a wine!

We catch up and review the menu all in French. I order a pizza style entree and trout for main which is of the region. We spend the next two hours chatting and sharing stories and interesting to hear that Jimmy is also single sided hearing and lost his hearing in his right ear when he moved to Switzerland.

I don’t really enjoy the trout but it was interesting to try. Mila is struggling as the kids fish and chips also includes trout which is unbattered so she doesn’t attempt it. The chips smothered in tartare sauce so she eats the few that are without sauce. Thomas has a great steak and chips which he enjoys.

After kids head to the water for some paddle boarding. Thomas is super confident and takes to it super quickly. Mila needs more time but soon master it too. It’s a great activity for the kids while the adults all catch up.

When lunch is done for the adults we join the kids for a paddle and some French ciders that Robbie has brought along. The men all swim, I dip my toes as it’s too cold for me! Kids have some Nutella crepes for desert that are in a backyard food stand near the restaurant. I have a quick FaceTime chat with Bek and Vicky who are together in London for the day and after a final photo we embark on the journey home. A far easier ride.

We stop once more in town by the lake and kids jump in briefly before the ride back to our apartment. Andrew grabs some supplies for a pasta potato, bean, pesto pasta dish in and we pack up the bags ready for the next days departure.

Departing Annecy after a beautiful few days exploring this gorgeous part of France. Wish I got to explore the shops in the cobble stone streets some more but Andrew keeps reminding me we don’t have space for more stuff!

After our chocolate croissant breakfast, we all head to old town area and lake Annecy where we plan to do our next “dance”. We have packed up the apartment, the bags and extra stuff we have accumulated and put them in our car for the days drive.

A few attempts at our more basic routine by the lake recorded, a postcard and magnet purchase and we are on the road. We drive past the expansive lake Geneva (73km in length) to Lausanne where we make our first brief pit stop. Known for its medieval architecture we really only get a brief snap shot as we find a parking spot and walk to the city coop. This is an impressive supermarket of multiple floors with the most amazing selection of cheeses, salami, salads, fruits, veg and grocery items including the new favourite, jumpys. Thomas and Andrew love these kangaroo shaped chips with paprika flavouring. We grab a few supplies, a quick coffee for an exorbitant CF and back on the road.

Next stop is Montreaux where we visit the freddy Mercury statue md walk the lake side where there are many luxury hotels lining the water. Mila whinges the entire time as she is tired and wants to stop but we get the pictures with Freddy and then stop for our packed lunches.

Packing up we now head to set Bernard Pass where we will visit Barryland, a place where St Bernard’s are kept as supper animals and bread, raised here in the Swiss Alps. There is a cute puppy and quite a few dogs which look a little bored. There is an exhibition we walk through, a green screen for some virtual shots with the beautiful dogs and some games for the kids to hang out at. A small shop at exit. It’s very quiet there and we get our fill of dogs before we hit the road again for Aosta. We pass through winding roads up the pass which are a little scary as a passenger as I am on the cliff side with very little barricade to shield from the huge drop. There are some amazing constructions along the way, tunnels and bridges high up in the mountains and we almost miss the steep descent up as we end up on a paid motorway but the Swiss attendant is happy to let Andrew reverse to return to the pass our original plan which is the more scenic route. We make a bet about the lowest the temp will get in the high altitudes and I get the most accurate guess as it only gets as low as 12 degrees at the peek. We stop at the crossing from Switzerland to Italy. There is a monument of Saint Bernard, Italian, Swiss flags. A hotel and a small lake. A little shop selling souvenirs of course. It’s chilly and we aren’t dressed for it.

The descent is lovely and we get through the pass and onto the roadways and start seeing signs in Italian. On late arrival to Aosta (around 7) we figure out where we will be staying and park nearby as streets aren’t open to cars. Andrew unloads the bags up stairs to our apartment which is lovely and modern. Kids will sleep on a sofa bed tonight in the lounge. We have a room with balcony to the street.

Where we park is a cool looking pizza restaurant which boasts restaurant, pizza, music and turns out it’s a fun spot perfect for us. It’s spacious outdoor area has a view of the bell tower of the church and tables are filling up so we are lucky to get a table. Loads of Italian families and groups are enjoying the busy atmosphere. Staff are lovely and most can speak some English which helps!

We all enjoy our first Italian meal, Mila and Andrew have pasta. Thomas and I have pizza. My pizza has a large blob of burrata in the middle, prosciutto and red sauce. It’s perfect! I drink an aperol and then we order wine. Kids have a play after dinner with some children at the restaurant. I enjoy a tiramasu for desert and a coffee which isn’t the best!

We head back around 10 and get to bed. Kids muck around for at least an hour so will be a tough start tomorrow.

Early start to make the most of our morning in Aosta. I head out for a morning walk to explore the town with only the street cleaners and shop owners setting up for the day. Streets very quiet an ideal time to take some snaps without the obstruction of tourists and locals.

It’s a beautiful historic town filed with Roman ruins. Old buildings, Catholic churches and arches, artworks depicting Jesus Christ. I enjoy getting lost in the many cobble stoned laneways and discovering a new historical site at almost every turn. I look for two parks where I can do some jogging or a bigger walk but I am lead by google maps to playgrounds which are all closed at this early hour. They do look enticing but sadly we don’t have time to explore. There are some great little boutiques and stores I would also love to explore when open but our time is short so after we pack our things, kids do journals, we do a brief walk around town to show the kids some sites and then continue our journey through Italy.

Destination Lake Garda. Hairy drive on the motorways. Watched plenty of crazy cars pass us doing at least 160-200km/h. Then we narrowly missed a flying container lid which had come lose from a trailer and hit the car with British plates in front. Coming in and out of toll gates also interesting as lanes merged from 6 to 3 in seconds. Andrew has done some amazing driving in the crazy Italian conditions! Rudi had warned us the Italians don’t use indicators or follow speed rules and he was right!

We stop at auto grill of which there are many along the motorways and Rudi tells us they are well stocked with hot and cold food. Unfortunately we decide to stop at one with no Burger King or McDonalds attached and so begins the drama of finding food the kids will eat at lunch. We arrive in the hot food section as a bus load of tourists do and have no chance of getting hot meals like pasta and burgers. I get a lovely salad with olives, burrata and tomatoes. I will live on this while in Italy! Andrew eats the prosciutto from his sandwich and the kids eat his bread as the schnitzel burger isn’t to the kids liking. It has mustard on it.

Andrew blows a fuse and we eat in silence, rant a bit at the kids and then get back in the car for the next leg to Lake Garda. We arrive to our hotel and it’s spacious. A little without personality after the last few places we have already been spoilt with but location is great and we are right on lake Garda and can walk into old town in 10 minutes.

After an afternoon swim in our pool, kids play on the lake collecting rocks at the front of the apartment. We all shower and get ready for our night out. It’s 8pm when we finally leave. A late one already! Kids are showing signs of being tired and emotional. Probably not our most organised evening but we are going with the flow after 2 weeks of moving and doing.

We go to a lovely Italian place the people in apartment next door recommend. It’s called il posto. There is a small wait for a table upstairs with a stunning view of the lake! Red and white check table cloths adorn the tables. The wait staff are friendly and mange with some broken English and our minimal Italian. They are used to tourists here. Kids pastas are delicious and Andrew and I share a seafood pasta entree and each have a seafood main. Food is fabulous. My octopus so simply done with tomatoes and Basil. Cooked to perfection. Andrew has a fab seafood salad which he also enjoys. After we walk through town and stop for gelato and walk home. It’s late and kids are done!

First full day to explore our new location desenzano del Garda. We have slowed down over the last week and the early starts and getting out have been replaced with Andrew and my routine of morning exercise. It’s good for us as we get to explore and see things early in the morning with less tourists and go a little further afield then the kids would allow us. The negative is we lose momentum for the day as kids are stuffing around finishing journals, eating brekkie and Andrew and I try to catch up on journals and any messages from home that come in over night.

It’s 11.30 before we head off. The nice neighbors next door say goodbye and handover some wash up liquid and dishwasher liquid which will be useful for the next leg of travels. We hear there is a car parade on today and are keen to find out more as have seen some luxury cars around since arriving. As soon as we arrive in the old town, the Main Street is barricaded off for what we learn is a very historic and important car race in Italy held annually called 1000 migliq. The streets are lined with Ferraris of all models and colours though red seems to be the favourite colour of choice. The men are walking the lined streets filming and photographing the beautiful cars. I must say, I am also pretty impressed by these beautiful cars and their condition. Upholstery is leather and luxury. Some have exposed engines in back. There are attractive girls walking the streets helping people with questions and we learn the parade of cars will start at 2.15 so we make a quick plan for some lunch at the local Japanese all you can eat right near our apartment. We arrange a boat for the afternoon at 4pm so off we set for lunch before the parade.

Lunch is a winner! While it seems crazy to be eating Japanese in Italy we have had quite a bit of pizza and pasta. A change in quisune is welcome and the all you can eat menu is exceptional as the kids find plenty they are willing to eat. For 13 euro x 3 and Thomas at 7 euro we order some great food. I get a great poke and Andrew orders some sashimi. Mila and Thomas share chicken katsu and a Thomas gets his fave cucumber sushi. We leave all full and ready to watch a parade of cars through town. We get a spot around the bend where drivers exit Delsenzano to continue the race. Many of the drivers use this opportunity to run the straight strip and get the engines going. The crowd love it. The local police should be stopping general traffic from entering this area while the cars parade but aren’t doing a great job and a spectator gets involved with some passion and directs the police man! It’s great to watch the men watching the cars and I notice a very stylish spectator or on his scooter with white shirt and chinos. They are few and far between as the majority look like tourists or just very casually dressed Italians. Think the wealthy and well dressed are in the cars!

The vintage car parade is after the more current models of Ferraris. This is pretty entertaining to see and many drivers and passengers are dressed in old style driving caps. As we try to crossover the man in road of the parade Andrew gets reprimanded by a rather attacfive ;let’s say supermodel type) for trying to cross at the wrong spot. She smiles are she tells him he can’t cross. She is wearing a very fitted little police outfit.Andrew makes sure he gets a picture. Funny Andrew didn’t share that picture to our shared Europe Album.

We go to the port to collect our boat for the afternoons activity. Andrew takes us straight out to the island which holds an amazing Villa on Isola del Gardas edge. It doesn’t look occupied but apparently visitors can attend the villa, it’s privately owned. There are several boats in the water, some very expensive ones all parked to have a little swim and catch up with some large groups. We park the boat for a quick swim and drink. We all get in, it’s cold but refreshing! A snack boat is near by, some swans visit. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon. After we continue onto the port of Sirmione to view another castle. Scaliger. On the return trip we get a bit disorientated and make 3 different decisions before we finally drive in the correct direction. Google maps is very slow to catch up! We return the boat a half hour late but the boat hire guy is pretty breezy about it and doesn’t over charge.

We walk back to our apartment and kids decide to play on the rocks in front of apartment while Andrew and I chill out. By the time we organise ourselves to go out it’s 8pm and we take a quick family shot with our tees then walk into town. On the hunt for the place our neighbors recommended and walk around for at least half and hour with no luck! We then try get back into last nights place but the wait is long. We should have got the name and exact location. We end up finding a place by the bridge just after old town. It looks busy and presume the food will be good. Its so late and Andrew is now hangry! Kids are tired and we realise we have packed in too much in the day. Thomas’ plain pasta comes out incorrect and then we end up waiting for it to come back out. By now we are all over it. Thank goodness for the big lunch we had earlier today. While we wait for a Thomas to get his pasta, Mila and I sit on a swinging chair and have an interesting chat about a date she wants to have one day where she cooks her partners quisine from their culture. She thinks she will be eating more broadly by that age so that’s a positive thought! She plans to lay the table beautifully and have wine too! Apparently this is happening at our house in Sofala. Random conversation I really enjoyed.

Walk back home and straight to bed. We have swapped with kids tonight as our bed was like a rock slab last night! Mila complains but is fast asleep after a little chitter chatter.

Our day starts with the now routine of packing up the kids and I for our next road trip. This time we decide to consolidate bags to two so we don’t have the 4 large suitcases in a small Italian hotel suite. Andrew and I manage a short walk / run and we load the car for a 11am departure. Destination, Verona!

Another hairy motorway experience with so many cars speeding and too many trucks to count. We manage to find our way into Verona and a car park next to the Verona Porta Nuova Station where the Banksy exhibition is currently being shown. It’s something I have always wanted to see so the opportunity to stop in Verona enroute to Bologna was perfect timing.

The exhibition is very well presented and has simple explanations about each piece and where it was originally stencilled before generally being defaced. There are a lot of controversial pieces, he is very political and has a lot to say about religion and consumerism, war and poverty. There are also a few which show hope and humour which I enjoy. Mila is offended by many and understandably so given her catholic school education!

After the exhibition we catch a local bus to see Juliette’s residence. On the way we pass a very large and impressive Verona arena - a Roman colosseum. Unfortunately we are pressed for time and it’s hot outside so we decide not to stop.we are planning a trip to Rome and see the colloseum there and so far, the history of our destinations doesn’t seem as impressive to Mila and Thomas!

When we arrive at our bus stop, we take the short walk to Juliette’s balcony but there is a long line of school children waiting so we decide to find a spot for lunch. We missed a trick by not packing as again we are forced to make quick decisions and find a place that suits both Mila and Thomas’ limited appetite. We find a little place in an alley way which has fans that spray water which is quite the novelty for Mila and Thomas especially Mila who by now is very hot and bothered, over walking!

Thomas and Andrew order a salami plate which actually looks reasonable. Mila has nuggets and I have a very average tomato mozzarella salad with olives which just isn’t as good as others I have had so far. Oh well - win some lose some!

After lunch we head back to Juliette’s residence which has slowed down, take a photo. We stop at a novelty lolly shop after which ends up costing us 20 euro by the time all the heavy lollies selected are weighed!

We bus back to the train station where our car is parked and Andrew and I have a fairly decadent coffee. We use the public restrooms which are 1 euro charge and I don’t have any euros - Mila has 1 so she suggests I jump through with her as the lady said dad and Thomas could. So I listen and proceed to get told off by the attendant who had only hours ago let me and the kids use the parent/disabled toilet as we didn’t have euros coins to use! I stood and complained as I said my 9 year old shouldn’t be left in the toilet alone and then she let me use the toilet. We departed the area fairly quickly after that.

The road to Bologna continues to be crazy, kids and I are tired and surprised Andrew has the stamina for all of this driving.

We arrive in Bologna 1.5 hours after we set off and we use the very complicated document to navigate back streets and make it to the hotel. We get very close but end up in the main square which is not for cars and thankfully we don’t get caught but the concierge advises Andrew to move car to front of the hotel. Not far from where we are. It’s a magnificent location next to an enormous Catholic Church and clock tower. In the square there is a cinema screen set up for a festival on this week. Later there are lots of interviews and children who perform.

We head up to the room not without issue, the room key doesn’t work. Very old school key in a very old door which has been locked incorrectly by someone. We get help and get inside. It’s a great little space, comfortable and the kids have there own beds each which makes them happy.

We quickly shower and dress the kids to head out to dinner. I am a little behind, Andrew heads off to find a bank with kids so when I finally come downstairs they are still searching for a bank. I explore the nearby streets and find the most amazing alleyways filled with little deli style stores, pasta, cheese, mortadella, fruit, veg and fish! I notice most people eating plates of salami / cheese and drinking wine. It looks like such a cool spot with great vibes so after a quick pit stop and drink with Andrew and the kids we walk back and choose a spot to eat. They do a simple menu of tortellinis in broth or with Ragu, salmagundi plates and wines. Andrew and I share a salami board and Mila has a wonderful Bolognese, Thomas has a plain pasta which turns out was made with cream, Parmesan and butter. He loves it! It takes a while for our dishes to arrive but they are worth the wait. We play a round of uni while waiting which the kids enjoy! It’s the first time we all play a game together on this holiday.

After we walk to our hotel and hit the hay. The kids muck around as usual and unfortunately mila wakes with a bad tummy and diarrhoea. She has been complaining since before dinner and can’t shake it. Think the late nights, lack of roughage, fruit, veg and limited intake of water has finally caught up.

A day spent exploring Bologna. Andrew starts the day with a late run as we both sleep in. The shutters outside do so well in blocking out the natural light. It’s almost 8.30 when we get up which is late for us. Kids even later but not unusual these days. When Andrew returns from his run, we have our included buffet breakfast at the hotel which is simple and adequate. Unfortunately with Milas stomach we keep her to simple toast but there are croissants, salamis, ham, mortadella, cheeses, boiled eggs, fruits and lots of biscuits. They make a decent espresso too. It’s already 10 when we start and we get the kids to bring journals to complete after brekkie which is a little torturous! By 11 we give up and hit the streets with no real plan but to see some sights and museums. We walk first to the famous two towers of Bologna and later learn there was once 100 of them. Back in medieval times these were built by the rich as a symbol of status and wealth. We look into climbing them but the wait is hours as tickets are booked online in advance. Given the heat and the 498 steps inside, \240it’s probably best we miss this today as kids are already complaining about walking in this hot weather. We are already missing the cool breeze of the lake!

We stop at a pharmacy to get Mila some hydralyte as her tummy is still upset after last night. We continue our walk past the towers and onto a museum (Museo geologica Giovanni) Capellini inside a university which has a giant 26m diplodocus skeleton which Thomas and Mila are keen to see along with other fossils and artifacts. Unfortunately being our impromptu selves this time hasn’t worked in our favour and the museum is closing (when we finally find it) and the young staff are shutting up for the day. It closes at 1pm!

We walk back towards town for another museum which Andrew has read about and again thankful for the porticos which provide welcome shade all around town. They are both pretty and useful. The museum recounts the history of Bologna and is called genus bononiae. It’s very well laid out with modern displays and descriptions of the history in detail (all in Italian) but we take the audio tour which goes through the history from ancient times to today room by room. It is interning but long winded and not all that fun for the kids. I feel like I’m on a school excursion. It does have some highlights. A room of lights to mimic and underground canal, a funny little cartoon of Bologna in 3d and some modern printed advertising posters are interesting and entertaining. There are also original cobble stoned streets that can be walked on to get a feel of Bologna from the old days. A replica of the internal stairs of the towers is also good to see given we won’t be climbing them.

After we walk through town to get some lunch but I am keen for something non heavy pasta like today. All the Japanese are about to close as it’s almost 3 so I head to a poke place I found yesterday and order a very simple poke which I eat on the stairs of the basilica. People watching!

A Land Rover police car passes.

The kids and Andrew have pasta at a laneway eatery called rosarose. Mila claims this is the best Bolognese ever! When I arrive later to try I think it’s pretty good too. I have a coffee with Andrew and we sit trying to complete journals a little longer but have little movement. I’m starting to get a little frustrated as is Andrew. He heads off without us and explores the basilica. He suggests we come inside to visit and I follow with the kids but am stopped not be the military who man the front of the church but an older Italian man who points at the sign that my shorts are too short! I had just put on a tee I had with me to cover shoulders and it’s my shorts that are too short.

I leave the kids with Andrew and decide to explore the streets for some retail therapy as it’s well overdue! I try on a dress but I am feeling hot, sweaty and not my “fit self” and not convinced on the style even through the girl in the shop tries to convince me otherwise. I walk down a few different streets searching for something a little different and mid market (not the designer brands I am seeing plenty of here) but it’s a struggle. A few stores seem a little “unfriendly” when I enter and I get that pretty woman feeling so it’s really not a happy experience for shopping. \240I decide to call it a day and head back to hotel where Andrew js showing if and kids getting ready to go out with kids. I have an hour or so to myself to shower and catch up on journal and photos. In the cool of the hotel it’s what I needed to reboot. Andrew and the kids find a bank and then sit at bar for a beer, drinks and some bar snacks which are great. I meet them for an aperol and we decide to walk to the restaurant that Kate Langbroek mentioned in her book I am reading (she lived in Bologna with her 4 kids for two years so knows it’s well) the restaurant is a short walk away from the tourist area and the difference is remarkable. The menus are Italian only (no English version) and we are greeted by a lovely Italian nonna who seats us. She can see Andrew and I trying to decipher the menu and kindly comes over to explain the menu and shows us a tray of fresh mushrooms they will use for one of the pasta dishes. On her recommendation we have the pasta to share then a beautifully cooked steak. It’s the most wonderful tasty pasta that I wish I had a bowl to myself! So simple but effective. Ma has Bolognese which is also great but not her fave and Thomas a plain pasta.

Thomas and I share a tiramasu in the end which is very rustic and full of mascarpone. Very yummy.

After as we walk the streets and Aussie guy from Adelaide hears our accent and wants to chat as he hasn’t heard aussies for a long time. He lives in Bologna working remotely for the last year. We ask him to recommend the best gelato and he sends us to cremaria Cavour which turns out to be the most amazing gelato I have ever tasted. So creamy and tasty like nothing I have ever experienced! Mila has granita lemon which is super sweet and cold. There is a long line to get in but we patiently wait and Andrew gets chatting to two guys who are travelling and one of from UK while other is from Argentina. They are friendly and chatty and it passes the time. They sound like they are having an awesome time traveling as single guys!

After ice cream we walk back to our hotel for bed and kids now typically wired after late night treats. You think we would learn!

Travel day and packing up. Thankfully this time it’s fairly quick as we are in a hotel and have consolidated by only takeing some of our stuff with us for the last two days. I head out for a brief morning walk which is well needed after days of eating pasta, breads, salami and cheeses! My tummy isn’t so great.

Walking the streets this early has been such a great experience and I really enjoy seeing things without the hustle and bustle of crowds. I jog park of the way around town and stop for a few photos. When I return Andrew heads out while I pack up the rest of our things.

Before brekkie I head to Basilica San Pedrinio as I missed this yesterday with Andrew and the kids. It’s quite breathtaking and such a large structure. So many smaller chapels inside. The priest is setting up for confession in his robes.

I return to meet for the breakfast buffet. Lots of fresh fruit, primes and a hard boiled egg. Not one for brekkie this is enough of a start for me. We encourage kids to have some cereal with milk, fruit and at least some sort of healthy start after the first few weeks of croissants!

As Andrew packs up the car, I take the kids back to the basilica where we say a prayer for Mia who is celebrating her Holy Communion today at 5.30 Sydney time. We might a candle and visit the gift shop for a keepsake to give Mia when we return from this special visit.

After we head to the library with the intent of writing journals but it’s met with much resistance. Kids are really losing momentum here and generally not wanting to write, finding excuses ro avoid the whole process! Frustrating as it’s been so lovely reading there accounts of the days but with the next leg slowing us down a little we hope to have a little more routine. The library is great to visit, Andrew took the kids yesterday and they loved it. There is a fabulous kids area which is multi level and Thomas found a fabulous space book which is huge. We have to get back to the car so our visit is brief.

Setting off for the sanctuary of the Madonna di San luca is stressful as the streets of Bologna have many restrictions and Andrew has been given some directions on how to get out of the hotel and to the basiilca on the hill. We make a few wrong turns due to the sat nav and wind up using google maps to get there. Andrew is pretty cranky, it’s hard to drive on the other side of the road and not know all the rules, kids in back being silly and noisy. It’s just a recipe for stress!

We finally make it and see lots of red faced tourists walking up the beautiful long portico to get to the top and are thankful we didn’t do the same. It’s already 30+ outside so hot and not sure kids would have appreciated the long walk up hill. I kind of needed it but will find other ways to exercise in Siena!

The building is lovely, round and full of people. It’s a lot more relaxed then the basilica in town. People aren’t covered up and they let you climb the tower for the views. We do this and it’s 100 stairs which are relatively easy after the stair case in Basel’s church! The view at top of Bologna and surrounding areas is wonderful and a real treat for us all. We take a great picture and head back down. A few more snaps at the bottom in our tees and we are off again.

Windy and narrow roads that last for at least 30-40 minutes take us back to the freeway to Siena. It’s a 2 hour drive and we plan a pit stop for lunch somewhere like an auto grill on the way. Lots of tunnels along our journey and speedy Italian drivers. We get to an auto grill where the air to get into the car park is up to the ticket booths exit so we turn around and get back on freeway.

The next auto grill (or similar) is about 10km away and by now kids need toilet. Thomas is desperate so we come to desperate measures. It’s funny and thankfully he laughs with us. We get to the stop hoping to find something similar to those we found on Swiss freeways but not so! It’s a small service station with clean enough toilets, burgers, paninis and grocery snacks, a few sandwiches but the lines of people are ridiculous and we decide to push through. It’s already 2.30’and thank goodness I took a few snacks from the brekkie buffet, apples and rice crackers, nuts. We buy some crisps, figs, nuts and meusli bars to sustain us until Siena.

On arrival into Siena north we find a large super sized coop supermarket and stop to find the most amazing range of food and groceries! Seafood sections, cheeses, salami and pastas. Pre packed meals that look fabulous. It’s impressive but we focus on lunch and Andrew gets some sushi, Thomas a salami, cheese pack and mila and I get a pre packed salad. The salad is very basic and nothing like the selection in Switzerland but it fills a hole for now. Kids and i go outside to eat lunch at a playground by supermarket where I stub my left toe quite badly. It hurts and I am in a lot of pain. Nice to see kids jump into action and comfort me especially as Andrew is inside eating his sushi.

We head off after our lunch to find our accomodation not without challenge. Andrew has entered co ordinates for the country property on non marked roads and we drive around at least half an hour on windy roads searching for the air bnb. After no success finding it, we message our host and Duccio comes to get us on his motorbike. He escorts us back up the hill and to the property which was quite close to one spot we were near. We park car, do introductions in broken english and he shows us around the place. It’s high up on the hills of Siena rural area. Vegetables growing, and a simple country home with two bedrooms and small kitchen lounge with views of the rolling hills in front. The kids run outside and begin to explore while we unpack car and I set up the kitchen and bedrooms. Andrew heads into town for some supplies to keep us going for the next few days. The kids are a little loopy this afternoon and just want to play and explore. I guess the drive has taken its tol and it’s time to have some fun! I’m just looking for some peace and quiet as the kids were pretty crazy on the \240mcar journey (thank goodness they do entertain each other) and Andrew had his dance trance tunes on which drove me a little nutty too.

As I unpack everything kids are happy especially Thomas, exploring the gardens with Duccio who picks two glfrwsh cucumbers and hands these to Thomas. I’m excited about fresh veg for lunch tomorrow after eating out so much.

We all shower and get ready for a night in town which is now a drive away and a lot further than all our previous stays where we could walk. This will be a challenge but a very different stay planned here since we plan to eat in a little more.

I’m really tired but we all push on and find parking in the old town centre and walk the medieval streets the piazza del campo. It’s buzzing with tourists and graduates celebrating the night from a university graduation that day. We pick one of the first restaurants we see. It’s a lot more expensive than Bologna and Desenzano but we are now in the thick of a tourist city. The service is average. I get the feeling when they hear we are English speaking they have less interest in serving us promptly or looking after us. Even though Andrew does order the majority in Italian. The food comes out, more pasta for kids and i have some tender octopus on artichoke purée which is lovely but not so filling after a very small salad mid afternoon! Mila’s Bolognese is received welll but not rated as high as yesterdays. I think we decide to find something a little more homely and authentic for our next dinner in Siena.

We head into the back streets to find a great gelataria. It’s already 10 and I wonder if it’s the right decision but already out we find the place and all enjoy a cup of two flavours. It’s not as good as last nights in Bologna but enjoy it just the same.

On route to car in the car park, Mila needs a toilet. The public one is closed and she is busting. A “bush wee” behind a parked car is the only solution and she is proud that she has mastered the art! We have had to do this a few times as it’s not as easy finding the accessible toilets in a foreign country. Always wipes and sanitizer on hand.

The drive home is dark and tough through the narrow windy parts home and I don’t think it’s something we will be able to do often. Especially if Andrew and I want to have a few drinks! There is a taxi service we will explore.

Kids muck around before finally getting to sleep.

Good Morning Siena. First night sleeping in our new bed and I think it’s pretty hard and Mila complaining too. Andrew seems happy enough. It’s hot with no air con so we have a fan on most of the night. The view in the morning from our balcony is lovely and the perfect Tuscan wake up. Andrew goes for his run while kids still asleep and then returns for a VC with granny & grandad. We show them the wonderful views!

Kids are up now having breakfast. We call Linda and Niall, Mia and a Jack for a VC too so we can catch up on the holy communion. It’s good to chat and catch up on our news and theirs.

Some painful time doing kids journal - Mila catches up but Thomas complains and avoids at all costs. We have a stand off and finally give up. We pack up and Andrew has been recommended a lovely little spot abou 45 mins drive where there is a town called Montalcino inside a fortress on a hill. Built in 1361. we drive past this a little further for our lunch spot whjch has also been recommended by his friend who works in the film industry. It’s call ok posto and it’s a lovely little garden restaurant with umbrella for shade. The menu looks amazing and we find it hard to make a decision on what to order. Next to us are some Americans from Austin who recommend the salad entree they had so Andrew orders this with zucchini. It’s fresh and light. I have the ravioli with sage and butter. It’s delicious! Simple flavours and not too much. We end up swapping mid way so we both get to try. We order Porchetta for mains which comes out much later so plenty of time to digest and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Thomas has an amazing plate of pork with sausage, rib and fillet. He eats most! The sausage looks raw but it’s the type of sausage and is actually delicious. Mila has Bolognese with the pasta type of the region called pici which looks like spaghetti but hand rolled and thicker. She is complaining but realised very quickly realised its yum!

Andrew and I share a red wine of the region which we manage to finish over the course of 2 hours! A Brunella Montalcino.

At the end of the meal the waitress gets chatting to me and mentions she is from the Ukraine and has only been in Italy for two months so is also still learning Italian and trying to improve her English which she never had to use much in the Ukraine. She has two older children 23 and 17 and only one has joined her in Italy. She is sad when she explains that she had everything jn Ukraine and now has nothing here. She said I was so lucky to be travelling with the children at this age. Later when I go to the bathroom I figure out how to say thank you in Ukrainian and when I say this to her she is shocked and happy. It’s a small thing but I feel happy that I could meet someone in this position to remind me of the blessing we have travelling around Europe as a family and living in a safe and free country.

We walk around the area of the restaurant for beautiful views of the crops and vineyards. Little streets and stair cases are all lovely to explore. We walk to car and drive back to the fortress on the hill of Montalcino. It’s a large construction and impressive as we approach. We take the entrance through the wine shop up the stairs (for a small fee) and admire the groups downstairs doing wine tastings with small snacks. It’s a lovely intimate room. Up above the walls of the fortress there are magnifyient views of the area and valleys beneath. We walk the perimeter and take some photos. Enjoying the history of what would have been all thimose ventures ago. Down below we buy some red wine to enjoy in our air bnb. Then we walk through the small township exploring the streets where we taste some more wine and buy a white wine, vermibtijo which is not of the region but comes recommended. The town has a few cute stores, some sculptures around town with lots of breasts and quite modern crazy concepts! One lady looks like she is sqauatting to do a bush wee!

We find a gelato place and kids and Andrew order. Mila orders a dark chocolate by mistake which I end up eating! It’s great but so not needed after already doing a desert at the restaurant.

We jump in the car for the journey back and all that red wine has hit me by now and feeling tired and a little unwell! We stop for some groceries so we can have dinner in tonight. It’s a small grocery store of not as big a selection as our first days shop. We get some mid wings for the kids and some chicken pieces for us which Andrew grills in the oven. A lovely tomorrow burrata salad with basil which is made with the freshest tastiest tomatoes. It’s a welcome change after weeks of eating out and having pastas and beef!

Somehow it’s 9 and kids not in bed as we attempt to get Thomas to catch up on his journal which is now three days behind!

I hit the hay by 10 and try to read but I’m asleep in half an hour. Good night!

Morning walk 7-8am is perfect as it’s not too hot yet. By 10am it’s 29 degrees. Mila has a quick video call with Cata as she flies to Argentina tomorrow morning and the girls haven’t caught up since we left. Thomas is still sleeping at 9.30. Mila has enjoyed using the little cotton bag Cata made her before we left. We video call with mum & dad. Kids eat brekkie and journal but Thomas is being difficult again. I am super frustrated. In the time Mila has competed journal and done some maths, Thomas has written 3 lines.

With much frustration I leave Thomas to it, Andrew has to step in. I am reading. We pack up, Andrew does the kids lunches and a salad for me. By now it’s almost 1Pm and quite frankly set us all off for a bit of a rubbish day!

We decide to drive to the local public pools so the kids can swim and have some relief from the heat. Our place is cute but to stay here means closing all the shutters to stay cool and seems a little much to bare on a hot day with two kids!

The pool is one lap pool of 25 metres and a small kids paddling pool. Inside there is a longer pool where adults are having fitness classes and kids swim lessons.

Outside there are a few lanes for laps, a small diving board and a plastic cubby house for the kids paddle pool. Around the pool there are umbrellas and sun chairs which we hire. The total cost is 28 euro and I decide this is a little luxury we won’t be doing often!

We have a packed lunch today which we have at the pools.

The pool is so clinical, and has two separate energy points one for girls and one for boys. Heaven forbid you don’t identify as either! You have to wear a cap to swim and kids get away with splas hibiscus about without for at least an hour before life guards tell them they can’t swim anymore without. Andrew purchases one for himself and Thomas which is good as they can dive in and have some fun. Finally Mila does succumb and borrows dads cap (she didn’t like the look of them - they are ugly) and the two have some fun jumping off a small spring board into the deeper pool. Andrew and I read and sun bake while kids play.

We head off about 4.30 into Siena old town to explore in the day time. It’s busy with tourists, seems like lots of Americans in this place. We see the duomo church which is magnificent. One of the loveliest churches I have seen so far. We didn’t go inside. The streets of Siena are beautiful and very medieval. Feels like waking through another time and place where knights and maid Marion’s lived!

I love the architecture as it doesn’t seem real!

Andrew and I stop for an aperol /beer while kids have an icecream. We grab some fresh bread then drive to get some groceries.

We have some Mexican tacos tonight as it’s easy for all to enjoy and we have lost ingredients. It’s almost 8 when we sit down so another late one for kids. 10pm and they am still aren’t asleep. Will try a new strategy tomorrow.

Late start for Andrew and I waking at 8.30. Rotten nights sleep again for me. The hot, the mosquitos and a headache all night was not fun.

Andrew does some research around the hot springs of Tuscany. He goes for his run. Mila is up by 9, Thomas sleeps in until 10 and I think he may have slept all day if we let him. Mila completes her journey entry, Thomas does his usual procrastination. We are now 3 days behind! Running out of strategies to get this happening.

We drive just over an hour to Bagni San Fillipo. for a small walk to the thermal springs.. We \240arrive to flowing water down white sulphuric rocks into pools of water. It’s busy but not too crazy! We all strip down to bathers and get into the pools and it’s so hot! On a hot day not so refreshing but I have had a headache all night stemming from my neck which is sore and I feel immediately better in the hot thermal springs. The kids explore and very quickly find the fence which blocks off the area which is dangerous and climb under as many others have. Thomas find a private pool that sits in the “white whale” rock which is amazing and full of amazing sculptural rock formations made by the flowing water down the rocksl. Andrew joins the kids and has a few photos and they return for some more time in the safe zone. It’s such a relaxing spot. If only we didn’t have to share it with all the other tourists!

We stop for some packed lunch and then head back in the water. It’s such an amazing spot and we spend a few hours here expiring and enjoying the hot springs. Thomas and Mila find a very large rock to climb which is under the restricted fenced area. It has a small pool and is a very dramatic backdrop but also looks dangerous! Plenty of others have gone up to explore this area despite the warnings not to. We get kids to come down and spend time in the lower pools. Some of which are almost too hot to sit in! We find an area where the pools are man made and the water is cooler. There are small fish in the water that eat your dead skin, nibbling at you as you sit still. I dont enjoy this but kids thinks it’s a novelty!

When done we walk up to our car and make the return journey home discussing plans for dinner, steaks and vegetables. As we got the last section of motorway we hear quite a hard sound under the car, thump and then Andrew gets the message. Tyre issue. Thankfully we can turn off quite quickly as the tyre is punctured and comleteky flat! We attempt to use the puncture repair kit as there is no spare in this car. We find a you tube video to follow but sadly it’s unsuccessful. By now Andrew has called the help who advise it will be minimum 2 hours before help arrives. It’s close to 6 already!

By 7 the tow truck arrives and we have to taxi home which comes about 15 minutes later. The guy who rows our vehicle can’t speak a word of English!

The taxi driver can though thankfully and Andrew directs him to our place. Thankfully there are supplies at home as we didn’t get to grocery shop for tonight’s dinner so kids get their pastas and Andrew and I do a lovely cheese / salami plate and tomato salad which we are so fond of here in Italy as they tomatoes are awesome and tasty!

Get kids to bed after some final journaling and they head to bed, I follow not long after. What a day!

Morning walk exploring the local area of Belcaro where we have our air bnb. It’s lovely country side with some large gated properties dotted along my walk. I decide to take a road down the hill towards a church which looks to be a quiet road but I’m mistaken and there are a lot of cars passing and with roads so narrow it’s a little scary with no paths and having to walk on the road side.

On return, Andrew is trying to sort our car as it’s been towed. In much confusion and after speaking to a representative from Europcar, he finds outs that the number we called and located on the windscreen is the number for the car brand not for europcar so it’s been towed to a repair shop that doesn’t deal with europcar and doesn’t do tyres! The guy he originally spoke to yesterday didn’t indicate this was the wrong number to call. Europcar get onto trying to get the car towed to a europcar repair shop and after much harassing and many calls throughout the day we are still no further! Victorio appears to be helpful but doesn’t seem to be getting answers. By midday we decide to make a plan for the day and try to book a local taxi with much difficulty! Finally we get one just short of 1pm and we head into Siena town for some lunch and a free day of exploration.

We find a simple Italian eatery just off the piazza for lunch. Kids both have pastas, Mila a pork ragu with fennel which she says reminds her of Baba’s sausage rolls! Thomas has his cacio e pepe which is available on most menus here. Andrew has a lovely ragu which turns out to have mushrooms in it as was meant for Mila but was a pretty awesome mistake. Everyone’s meals great. I had a pretty boring salad but I just can’t manage the rich and heavy meals every lunch and dinner! Aside from feeling like I might put on 20kg if I keep eating like that.

After lunch, the kids have excessive gelato that costs $5 euro a cup! Considering how cheap it was off the beaten track we know we overplayed due to location. Andrew and I pop into Boggi and Italian mens retailer while kids finish their icecreams. We are served by an attractive shop assistant (I don’t see too many unattractive people in these roles or in Italy generally) he tries on some polos and selects a navy polo, his go to!

We decide to separate at this point so I can get some retail therapy finally! Mila decides to join me. She is quite fun to shop with and happy to offer advice. She has taken to my digital camera which hasn’t been used for sometime and is enjoying taking photos of me and fashion she sees in stores. Taking after her mother!

We try a few different local boutiques but the fashion is quite “classic” older styles that are really my thing! We head back to the Benetton store we saw earlier in the week which has kids and womenswear. It’s a large store and the staff aren’t approaching us which is ok as we spend a good 30-40 mins trying half the store on! We both end up with nothing but have fun nonetheless trying thingtogether.

As we continue our search I come across a little bouqitque called Dixie which has some cute and well priced styles. I try some wide leg pants and happy when they fit me and look good. Finally a purchase!

After 6 mila and I finally head back to Andrew and Thomas who are still sitting in the bar overlooking the piazza and chatting to some Americans. I have a terrible aperol. It’s sever flat which I soon discover is how it’s done in Tuscany!

We walk to find a smal Italian eatery off in the side streets and Andrew and I both have steaks with pepper sauce and mash, Thomas has steak and roast potatoes from the adults menu much to dads dismay! (For budgeting reasons) Mila of course has ragu.

At the end of our meal we get chatting to the table behind who are from Ireland and have been in Italy for a wedding. They are a lovely couple and one of their parents. \240

Taxi home and we get collected by a lovely taxi driver who explains the up coming horse race contrades and that his contrade hasn’t won in 21 years, apparently ours hasn’t won in 23! Our symbol is a snail with a red & yellow flag. When we get out he proceeds to show us the correct flag waving technique. It’s interesting as we saw some men practicing flag waving in a park the previous day so it’s very clear there are many important traditions and a great passion for this race.

I can see Italian passion and really looking forward to seeing some of the festivities around the race next week.

Kids wake at 5.30am as we have left the outdoor shutters open for the breeze but also let’s the light in early!

They are mucking around in their room at lest an hour before Andrew and I finally get up. Mila and Thomas have some breakfast and we get to doing journals with the motivation of some Netflix after. It’s takes some time as usual! I decide to exercise in our lounge room and Andrew has set off for his walk later and it’s already getting hot outside. When he returns he finally is resolving the hire car issue and good news, our tyre will be repaired and will be able to be collected at midday!

Kids much around, watch some Netflix while I do lunches and finish packing for our trip to Florence and the coast. Andrew books a taxi after many attempts to get one to come (getting taxis in rural Siena isn’t easy we have discovered) and while he is gone, I shower and prep our things. Lunch at home.

We set off in our car which we are all happy to see again. Only one bag consolidated for our 4 days away which is a welcome relief given how much we normally travel with.

We start our drive and very quickly get an alert on our tyre pressure which is unnerving given what’s just happened but a quick stop, check and refresh of the system and all seems ok!

We continue on for an hours drive and arrive in Florence which is relatively easy after the drama of Bologna and navigating streets and where to go. Andrew chose a place that 10-15 mins walk out of main Florence town centre and the parking on the street outside our apartment is free. We unpack the car which is also simpler with less bags and are impressed with this multi storey apartment costing just 100 euro for the night. It has a cute courtyard and mezzanine level above the master and one room just below the main living. Two bathrooms. Bigger and modern with air conditioning in a very old building, it’s a luxury compared to our simple dwellings in Siena.

We head out to walk into Florence just after 5 and have to cross some major streets but quickly arrive into the laneways and interesting vintage shops that lead us into town. It’s pretty but I notice a lot more graffiti around and seems a little less “preserved” then other spots we have visited to date. I’m struck by all the lovely boutiques along the way and no it will be hard to find time to stop and explore with such limited time planned here.

We come to an open square which has a few restaurants and a church, basilica di San Lorenzo. It’s a very simple structure and it’s the church of the Medici family. It’s where they are all buried.

We continue on with a goal to see the Ponte Vechio this evening. We pass a museum and lots of stores, restaurants. The volume of people as we get closer to town is obvious now. We haven’t really experienced this just yet. Siena is busy but this is hectic. By the time we arrive in the square where the Duomo is we are amongst the hustle and bustle. It’s such a massive complex of buildings and I just can’t remember the first time being here with Linda. It’s strange, but I think we too only had two nights in Florence to explore and the most memorable thing was the funny guy who ran the Pensione we stayed at

The duomo is magnificent and a wonderful example of renaissance architecture. Unfortunately on the drive to Florence I search for opportunities to climb the duomo as well as visit the statue of David in the Uffizi museum but both are booked up until the following week. Our impromptu visit to Florence is limited to the things we can see for free and a pass to visit the Santa Reparata under the duomoand the Baptistery building along with the duomo museum. We have a 9am ticket tomorrow.

We continue to the pointe Veccho which is busy with people trying to get their photos. The kids by now have ice creams as they are tired from the hot walk and we’re both asleep in the car when we arrived in Florence so not impressed when both had to be woken and pushed to walk into town with little time for rest! My goal for this trip was to stop the rushing and slow down but it seems our quick stops in places and pushed us to fit as much in which has out a bit of pressure on getting out and about.

We snap some lovely photos by the beautiful ponte Vecchio which also feels a lot more well worn than the last time I visited well over 25 years ago. We walk onto the bridge and spot several gondolas that are filled with beautifully dressed women and men heading towards a party by the Arno River. It looks like a wedding is set up and it’s looks stunning! I tell Mila one day maybe she would come back and get married in a stunning location like this but it doesn’t even get a reaction. I guess today she is not in the mood for such talk! The bridge is lined with lots of fine jewellery stores of gold jewels and crucifix. There js a pretty little store I spot with some more modern pieces that I would love to visit and pick something from. Andrew and I decide we need to return to Florence for another day trip just to get the museums in and for me a spot of shopping!

By now both children have managed to get icecream over themselves and Thomas especially is looking a little unkept for some of the little eateries we have our eyes on. I try to get him a cheap tee from H & M (which I am also secretly excited to see sadly as it’s been a while since I have seen some known easy brands to shop) but this and Zara so it have kidswear in these stores. I’m pretty exhausted by now too and we stop at the piazza delta repubblica just after the Duomo at a very lovely looking bar with lounges opposite the carousel. It’s also very close to all the designer stores of Florence so a little “punchy” when it comes to pricing. Andrew has a classic negroni which comes with a shot of mineral water and jelly shot of negroni. I have an Italian Margerita which is nice. They serve some little cakes and cheese bites which are delicious. We love the little treats that arrive whenever we order drinks in Italy! The kids are desperate for a ride on a carousel as they keep seeing them in most cities so they have a ride for 1.50 euro each.

Andrew and I do some research around eating in Florence and he realises the meat restaurant we passed on our way in is famous for its bistecca so we head there to see if we can eat but the wait is now an 1.5 hours. We should have put our names down when we first arrived into town! We are sinuses to small towns and no waiting. We need to get booking for our Roman adventure following week!

We end up eating in a small trattoria Andrew noticed and it’s a little disappointing. I order a sword fish pasta (not sure why I refer seafood so far from the sea) and Thomas has a pizza, Mila Bolognese. A small meat plate to start. Andrew has pipis in his pasta and doesn’t seem to impressed with his dish either.

We walk back to our apartment for a good nights sleep in comfort and air conditioning. Unfortunately there is a terrible smell inside but aside from that it’s luxury.

We aren’t allowed a late check out this am and we have to be at the Duomo by 9 as it says we have a 9-10am slot. We hurriedly wake kids, pack up and as there is no milk they can’t eat brekkie so after dropping our bags in the car, we walk to Duomo and get kids chocolate croissants to keep them going!

We make it just after 9’and notice there are people milling around the front of Duomo and the baptistery. On review of the signs, the Duomo is closed today and we later find out this is due to the feast of Saint John the Baptist and the reason there are men in medieval costume walking the streets with flags early in the morning. It’s also the reason the Bastillery is closed until after lunch for official proceedings. I also take a closer look at the 60 euro worth of tickets we purchased which allow us access to the Duomo museum, baptistery and San Reparta. The actual Duomo is free entry but sadly won’t be open today. We decide to try the museum so we can get some history about this magnificent cathedral.

Andrew and I aren’t especially excited, the kids even less so given how early we were up and out. It turns out to be a great place with very beautifully presented artifacts from the original Duomo building, some short movies with history in English, lots of displays of models inside and outside the church and even some amazing michel Angelo sculptures. There is a room which has a sculpture of Mary Magdalene as a withered hermit. A story neither Andrew or I had heard before. There is another with the preserved parts of saints in the churches history held carefully in urns m. Fingers, bones. It’s a little morbid but also quite interesting.

After the museum we try to retrieve Thomas’ warer bottle which was left behind at the bar/cafe we visited last night but sadly it’s nowhere to be found. Another water bottle gone! We walk to look for a lunch spot, Andrew is determined to have pork sandwich which he has researched and we end up finding streets lined with cafes and the most popular place is known to everyone (thanks to google searches) so we decide the line is not worth it. Instead we try to find a milk shake to keep kids going without much success. We find this is not as easy as it sounds and first place we sit down says a frappe is a milk shake but realise very soon this also involves coffee!

Andrew googles a place called shake which it runs out does not serve shakes but a healthy mix of bowls, smoothies and juices. The kids compromise on juices and I am happy to have a healthy smoothie blend which I’ve craved!

It’s after this that we get separated wandering around the now very hot streets of Florence. Mila and I stop at a church that is interesting and Andrew and Thomas continue on their search for the perfect pork roll Italian style. They find something for 5 euro each and enjoy it in the streets. Mila and I continue our walk and look at another church, then a few stores and we finally run into Andrew and Thomas again by this time hungry and a littl me over it as I know we now need to find lunch that meets little miss fussy man needs. (Side note would have been happy with a healthy bowl from the shake place 2 hours ago) instead Andrew finds us a little cafe to Sofia Loren which turns out being a fancy place where I have burrata and tomatoe salad, Mila a pasta. It’s not cheap but everyone is happy again!

We head back to the baptistery and it’s an amazing place to walk around with such a beautiful depiction of Christ. The San reparta entrance after, turns out being the underneath of the Duomo which has been beautifully restored to show the original tiles and some tombs of popes and the burial place of the Duomos designer. Access gives Us a very quick view of inside the Duomo which is impressive but not as dramatic as the outside nor the catherals we loved in Siena or Bologna.

We decide to taxi back to our car which is no easy thing to do but finally get a taxi and we set off on our journey to Comogli on the Italian coast. Just around the corner from Portifino.

The drive is long and kids and I especially tired - we all fall asleep. I wake to see some of the sights along the way. Lots of churches a top of mountains. Hill side homes. Colourful and interesting.

We arrive into the town before Camogli and our host meets us on a vespa to escort us through the narrow streets. The sight of the ocean is exciting for us all. Our place is amongst the hills and our host is lovely taking us through the house and showing Andrew the key places we should visit on our stay and restaurant recommendations!

We unpack and shower and get ready to meet Robbie in town. The walk down is easy and about 10 minutes or so. Colourful building greet us. Pretty lane ways of bougainvilleas. We see Robbie and walk town to get a feel. It seems like a little town but just great for our few nights away.

We eat at the recommended seafood restaurant and it’s amazing. Very local with fresh seafood. I have some super sword fish fillet (my fave) \240which is very simply dressed. A catch from the day which was apparently huge! To start Andrew and I both have a local dish called bottarga and it’s got a lovely crumb with it. It’s fish roe and a specialty of the region.

the man looking after us (probably the owner) is super friendly and is great at recommending dishes. Kids have the most yummy calamari frittes they wipe the plate clean!

I try a desert of chocolate rum balls which is rich and wasn’t necessary but I do like to try new treats from places I visit. Especially Italy. Andrew and Robbie cheers with a limoncello which I haven’t had since my days in Amalfi with Linda. Will have to try again another time.

Kids finish the night with gelato and I walk them home up the many stairs so Andrew and Robbie can catch up.

Aim of today was to get out by 9am and we get out of the house by 9.30 which is a pretty impressive feat for the Prices these days! We have a day planned to catch a train to Santa Margherita a small town not far from us and from there walk to Portifino with a few swim stops and lunch along the way. Robbie walks down to town with us, we walk to the train station but train will be at least another hour so plan B is the local bus. It’s a good solution as it runs along the coastline and while not as cool or comfy as the train it’s great views. Interesting people watching too. Lots of granny’s doing their weekly shop.

We arrive in Santa Margherita and it’s bustling compared to the slower pace of Camogli. It’s pretty hot too and Mila and I split off for some retail as there are lots of cute little boutiques to tempt me! I find one with a lovely Italian lady, tried to sell me the whole store but after trying on a lot of different styles I opt for a simple cotton maxi skirt in Olive which is perfect for our travels as I can roll it up and add to the crushed effect!

We find Andrew, Robbie and Thomas at the church and have a quick look inside. It’s another impressive look at beautiful art and history in Italian cathedrals. We continue our walk onto Portifino along the coast line and it’s stunning. Mila is very grumpy about the walk in the heat of the day and spends at leas 1km moaning about it and really drags her feet which slows our pace! The walk is beautiful and amazing hotels along the way. Stunning boats are in the water.

We stop for midway for a dip in a spot that’s quite small and rocky and not so easy to get in and out. Thomas lasts about 10 minutes before he gets water up his nose as it’s pretty unstable under foot and wavy conditions. In retrospect it wasn’t the best spot to stop for a swim. I found it challenging with balance and without the water shoes on the large rocks it was quite painful to get into the water!

Kids have lunch while we are there which eases pressure for the next stop where the adults intend to eat. We dry off and dress for the next leg of our walk. Not too far and a very pretty spot just before Portifino. As we round the corner it’s very life styles of the ruck and famous. The beach chairs all set up, a line of fact restaurants to serve the beach goers who all look very well dressed. Lots of families, gorgeous groups of girls. Think Robbie is happy with our stop! I enjoy the people watching too. Lots of over the top designer wear on men and women.

We select a spot for lunch and kids get down to the water for a swim. I have an octopus salad which is 22 euro. Prices are inflated here compared to everywhere else we have stayed! The beers are 11 Euro each, something Andrew learns when the bill arrives at the end! It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Kids are enjoying themselves, as are we.

After a long lunch, we make the last part of our walk and kids newly energised by icecream.

5.4km later we arrive in Portifino to see more luxury boats (a very large one) some stunning properties and hotels right on the water and feels like the playground of the wealthy. It’s evident as we continue the walk into town with all the designer stores. There are some really lovely stores I would love to explore but kids with me and I feel especially under dressed in active gear and sneakers. There are tourists around but also plenty of cashed up Italians!

We wander around town, sit for a little while and people watch and then head to \240bar for a drink before organise our journey home. Again, not to plan we end having to catch a ferry to Santa Margherita as the ferry back to Camogli is stopped due to rough water.

We take the ferry back which is lovely and then train it back to Camogli. It’s been a lovely day but very long and all super exhausted!

We head back to the apartment for a quick shower and head back down to town to meet Robbie’s friend Angela who lives in Comogli. We head to the local which is cheap eats and amazing! Andrew and I share some walnut ravioli and pesto pasta which is a speciality of the region. It’s so cheap and delicious. We all share a lovely salad which is very similar to my panzanella but with tuna and olives. I love it and think I will be making this at home! We are all done and catching up, Angela is giving us lots of tips for restaurants at different destinations especially Rome where we head next. While we chatted we noticed a young girl running to break open the street defibrillator and return to a crowd about 500 metres from us. In the minutes that followed the young restraint works ran down to offer assistance and reported back that an American man 64 had a heart attack and they were trying to revive him. Ambulance was being called but didn’t arrive for another 8-10 minutes. There was a lot of commotion. Another ambulance arrived. Or long after and it waa obvious the situation was not great. Ange was frustrated as she said the ambulance should have arrived sooner given it’s distance from where we were. At least an hour passes and the ambulance officers put the man’s body into the ambulance vehicle and drive away. The crown dissipates and we learn from the restaurant staff that he was coming back but they just couldn’t save him. The girl running was in Italy from the Us to play water polo and her dad was there with her. A very sad end to the night and had us all reflecting on the fragility of life. Continue to feel lucky to have this experience with the kids. Despite them driving me nuts most days we are having an amazing adventure together.

What a day! After a busy walking and active day we just wanted low key, water and sunshine. With a bit of Christ of the Abyss, a sculpture of Christ submerged in honour of a diver who passed in the area of San Frutuosso. We pack the kids up after breakfast and walk into town for the ferry ride to San Frutuosso. It’s a short ride and lovely to ferry out of Comagli and admire the town from the water.

We arrive to a small beach with a few eateries. The beach is already packed and so is the ferry and these continue to arrive during our stay so it’s a hectic little piece of paradise. Andrew is keen to see the Christ on the abyss so quickly buys some snorkels and heads out, the kids following with Robbie. Our little patch of rock near the front of the water is tiny as theee are so many people so I wait there a little stressed as it seems far for the kids to be swimming with no flotation support. They return about half hour later and haven’t found Christ. Thomas has walked back around rather than swimming back. I am impressed they made it as far as they did.

Kids have a packed lunch thankfully but our plan is to eat at the beach. Robbie and Andrew walk to the various spots to eat. A restaurant right on the water and elevated fancier spot and none have space. Thankfully we get into the beachside casual spot that serves alcohol and sandwich with simple ingredients.Andrew, Robbie and I enjoy a drink and order sandwiches and get chatting the some aussies behind us who are watching the state of origin. Jess and Mark. They are in Italy for a wedding and live in Singapore. It’s nice to speak to Australians and have a conversation. Something we don’t get much of these days outside our own family.

Sandwich is great, salami, mozzarella and tomato for me.

We head back down to the water with renewed energy to see Christ. Andrew heads out by himself. Kids run off with a plan to jump off the wharf which is a shorter distance to what we think is the sight. I’m a little panicked as I know it’s deep and Robbie helps get the kids attention and I get them back to safety of the shore and decide to hire a kayak. We can paddle out and see what we find. It’s a great plan, we just don’t know exactly where the statue is. After a bit of paddiling in and around the boats we are about to give up and mila notices some 20 somethings on a kayak who look like they have a plan. We follow and it’s a success. They point to a white light which is the Christ statue. Mila jumps in first and has a swim with her goggles. She sees the statue and is very excited. She jumps back on the kayak and Thomas jumps in. Very briefly. Mila has another gi but this time dives down deeper. It’s about 15 metres submerged and much smaller than I expected. Still it’s a great experience and glad we got to see it. I have a quick look too and I paddle the kids back.

We have a last swim and pack ourselves up for the ferry back. Mila falls asleep. The view of Comagli is lovely coming back. We walk into town for a drink with Robbie at his favourite spot. I have an aperol, kids have icecreams. It overlooks the beach so kids go and have a play while we enjoy the view. Aperitifs are lovely, foccacia with olives, nuts.

We head back about 6 and I have a shower and a rest as I’m exhausted.

Kids are having showers outside, both naked now! I start to get cramps. It’s the start of what seems to be food poisoning though we have been eating so much pasta, bread and carb heavy meals, plus drinkingI don’t think my body is to happy with me. A few visits to the bathroom and it’s almost 8 so Andrew and Robbie head off to feed kids and I stay in to recover.

Andrew, Robbie and kids home by 10.30 and happy to hear the kids have both had a new meal. Thomas pesto pasta and Mila a guincale pasta! Stomach still not great but feel a lot better by the time I fall asleep. Need to tone down the food & drink!

Last day in Camogli and time to pack up the apartment and head off. It takes us most of the morning to thoroughly clean our Airbnb. After our less than average review from our hosts in Annecy we are on a mission to leave the place spotless. In the meantime I am trying to motivate the kids to catch up on journals and Mila makes progress. Thomas not so much and continues to refuse to write his. We are hitting a stalemate and sense it is creating tension amongst us.

Both Mila and Thomas have now had FaceTime chats with friends so it was part of he deal to do some journal.

I finally get down the the beach with kids after 11 and we set up in a slightly shaded area. The water is lovely and it’s not too busy as it’s now Monday and Camogli itself is a lot quieter than Portifino and surrounds.

We spend a few hours down by the water. When Robbie arrives we catch up and swim some more, I get snapped by a visvious crab that takes a bit out of my ankle then Andrew and I head to the local for our cheap lunch. My tuna salad is awesome especially at 6 euro. Andrew has a pasta. It’s a great end to our stay. We discuss staying another night but accomodation options are not cheap and Robbie has suggested another town Sestre Lavente, not far from us and enroute to Siena. Kids have lunch on the beach. Andrew books a cabin at a caravan park in Sestre Lavente.

We set of off around 4pm, say our goodbyes to Robbie and take a few photos in town. Car journey not too bad and we are there in under an hour. It’s a very modest cabin with two small bedrooms. Not dissimilar to our almost caravan adventure! A small kitchen and bathroom. A little deck with table where we decide to have our dinner which Andrew cooks. Kids have a quick swim in the lovely pool.

Unfortunately we find out the linen is an extra charge at 5 euro per person and there is paper covers on the pillows and mattresses. Andrew decides for one night we don’t need sheets so we go without. He makes me laugh the things he wants to save money on sometimes. The kids don’t complain and while I find it annoying I prefer not to sound like a princess so I bite my tongue for the one night it’s a sunny story to recount on our return! Thank goodness we aren’t sharing showers.

Andrew does his putanesca pasta and a pesto pasta for Thomas (our new win) we some red wine on the deck. A small attempt at journal before dinner is fairly fruitless with Thomas. We get kids in bed by 9 but they don’t get to sleep until at least 10. Routine is completely out of whack. Andrew and I are in bed by 10 too. Book a tour for St Peter’s dome climb in Rome and go to sleep.

Andrew wakes early for a run and I wake to pack up ready for our journey back. By the time we have breakfast and organise ourselves it 11am (not sure where the time goes but we are terrible at getting out early) starting to find it annoying!

We head to a park I saw on the way into our accomodation which had obstacles in the trees. We find it and unfortunately it’s closed off and we realise it’s probably not the best or safest park for the kids and it’s over 5 metres tall in some parts without harness!

We find a supermarket for some snacks which is a little disappointing! (Not much in the way of salads) but we do manage to find a couple of descent looking sandwiches for our lunch later.

We set off for Pisa which isn’t too far, just over an hour. We park about 10-15 minutes walk in the free car park and walk down through a very shabby looking part of town which basically continued all the way through the town. Very dirty and bottles, rubbish in the streets. We had been warned of this so no suprise and very keen to see the leaning tower and exit!

We approach the area where the leaning tower is along with the Pisa cathedral and Pisa baptistery. The leaning tower is leaning due to unstable foundations and there are thousands of people in the area trying to capture the shot that looks like your touching or pushing the tower! We of course join them as we wander around the very pristine area which is nothing like the rest of Pisa itself which is a dive!

We stay around half hour for some photos then walk back to our car to continue our journey back to Siena.

We arrive in Siena and park the car for an early drink and dinner. Mila and I stop into an underwear store where I finally buy myself a few bits!

We meet for a drink and then walk to a famous pizza place that sells fresh pizza by the slice. The owner likes to sing while he cleans and works. He is very friendly and accomodating. Mila doesn’t like pizza but we are keen for her to try and he has no more dough for the day to make her a fresh one so suggests we take the anchovies and capers off the plain tomato only pizza. She eats nearly the whole piece! Success.

Thomas has salami and loves it. So much so that he shares a 2nd with dad. I have mushroom and ham pizza which is awesome and so tasty. Such a thin crispy base.

We walk through town and back to the car so we can have a reasonably early night. Kids are in bed by 9 and reading their books about Rome with much excitement. It’s keeps them quiet and winding down for once!

I unpack and do some washing in preparation for our next two day adventure. Andrew and I finish watching hustle with adam sandier - a basketball movie which really good and something we haven’t done since we have been away!

I wake early and the bad \240tummy is back! It’s a little cooler this am and I haven’t exercised now for a few days and feeling it. I set for my walk around the area for about 7km which is great and love listening to a podcast while I walk.

On my return we prepare for our trip to Rome, pack a smaller bag for two nights. Kids do a little journal and we set off by 11am. Standard time this days!

We stop for some lunch a few times. The 2nd stop ends up being a great sit down restaurant where I see some nuns arrive in a van for their pizza. Andrew and I have a coffee which I must say, is one of the best I have had in Italy! Road side stop!

We stop again and it’s a bit more basic and busy. I find an “Italian” poke which has tuna, olives, tomato, rice and lettuce! No dressing so I use the standard olive oil and balsamic on offer. My stomach is still very iff so I don’t finish. Kids have had their sandwiches in the car so are fine.

We set off again and arrive in Rome late afternoon. We park about 10 minutes from the hotel after a hairy arrival where Andrew trying to juggle navigation systems and road rules, clips a bus setting off. He honks! It’s a little scary when you’re the passenger on the side closest to the bus! The car park is full of luxury vehicles as it’s very close to a few high end hotels of Rome. Aston Martin’s, Porches, Bentleys.

It’s so hot in Rome. Much hotter than we expected and well over 30 degrees with high humidity and. No breeze. The walk to our hotel seems longer in this heat. We check in. I have bought tickets for a hop on hop off bus. We. Decide to walk to the Trevi Fountain for our first Roman sight. It’s funny everything seems bigger than the last time I was here! I love watching the kids reactions when they see these things for the first time.

It’s so crowded in the area, we walk around take some photos and fill our water bottles from a public fountain. I am astounded about the amount of rubbish in Rome. Lots of empty plastic bottles, garbage! We walk to the closest stop of our tour and hop on. It’s the last run of the day by now and we land at the train terminal. We have about 15 minutes to kill so we head inside the terminal and get gelato for the kids and Andrew. It’s really delicious gelato and the inside of the terminal is quite modern with lots of shops and places to eat. We do the rest of the tour and jump off close to a restaurant that Andrew has received a recommendation for. We are lucky to arrive just after it opens and without a reservation must get one of the last tables as we see plenty of people turned away while we select from the menu! It’s authentic Roman quisine. Next door there is a beautiful Italian shoe store which I admire from our table. There are some beautiful high heeled sandals in the window which I learn are 300euro.

For dinner Andrew and I share a buffalo mozzarella, tomato and proscioutto plate. He has a cabornara and for main I have a veal saltim bocco. For side I have a spinach Roman style which is with pine nuts. The veal is delicious. Spinach a little much!

Thomas and mila enjoy their pastas. Mila has amatriciama (it’s made with cheese much to her dismay) Thomas has cacio e Pepe. Andrew has a lamb dish for main which is huge!

After kids and I share the most delicious desert which is similar to a cheesecake with chocolate and mascarpone. Love it! Called Tartufo al cioccolato.

Andrew sees a taxi out front as it’s late but I suggest we grab some snacks and brekkie for kids for our early start tomorrow. I find a supermarket about 400 or so metres from our current location but fail to check if it’s the direction of our hotel. We set off and everyone is jovial. Thomas sees a graffiti artist on the street and stops so I let him watch. In the meantime Andrew and mila continue walking. We lose each other. A common occurrence on this trip.

Thomas and. I continue as I want to find the grocery store before it closes. Unfortunately it’s already closing when we find it and by this stage Andrew has the shits and decided to find an alternate means to get home. Rentable scooter form the street. Thomas and I run into Mila and Andrew and I attempt to rent one too with no luck and all of a sudden the distance now is too much for Thomas and he is upset. Andrew scoots off with mila leaving Thomas and I to work out how to get back.

I find a taxi stand and we get home just as Andrew arrives. Poultice have stopped him as he has Mila on a scooter which is illegal.

We say some cross words to each other and hit the hay \240before it gets too explosive! Not all happy days when you travel together this long and long days in heat don’t help!

Rome - early start for a tour to St Peter’s Basillica. We manage to get out of the house by 8.20 and even manage a stop for Andrew to have brekkie, some coffees and a smoothie for me! Kids get a bonus chocolate pastry!I love the quick espresso you can have while standing at the counter. Also cheap!

We make our way to the tour starting point and meet our guide Filippo. Our group of about 12 walk together to St Peter’s and through the security checks where there are already cues but nothing like when we are leaving the place!

We head up the lift for the first part of our tour which is a visit to the Duomo. The lift saves us some 200 stairs to the first level where we can look into St Peter’s where Eucharist is happening. It’s lovely to see the basillica in action and hymns being sung. There are mosaics all around but we pass through quickly and barely get time to appreciate the space or the dome from this point. It’s quite narrow and I feel like they have let far too many people up at once.

We continue on the narrow pathways and stair well to the top behind some pretty unfit people who look like perhaps shouldn’t have made the trip. The top is the most amazing view of Rome and the Vatican down below. We spend a good half hour walking around the dome, taking photos and hearing Fillipo recount the amazing history of the building. We continue our tour inside the basillica and see the famous Pietre. It’s a magnificent basillica and an impressive structure. I can’t believe how many people are inside and its still early morning. We head under the basillica to see where various popes and saints are buried.

The tour ends and the kids and i spend some time in the gift shop then we all head back knto St Peter’s to spend some time in the quiet prayer area and take some family photos.

We head out in search of lunch and find a McDonald’s for the kids. The first time since away and I think we have managed well without it up until now. It’s fast and convenient. We walk a little further and streets are lined with religious stores of popes robes and crosses. We stumble across a sushi place which is a welcome relief as it’s cooler inside and I am in need of something fresh and not cooked after weeks of pasta, salami and cheeses! Tomato salads have been awesome but also starting to take their toll on my body. Mila even tried some cucumber sushi and enjoys it.

After lunch we walk to catch the tour bus again for the mouth of truth stop. It stops right by the circo Massimo where the Romans would hold chariot races a big empty space with some ruins.. By now it’s excessively hot and walking even the small distances is tiring!

We find the basicalla of Santa Maria in Cosmedin which has a small bell tower and a crypt but we are here for the mouth of the truth, famously featured in Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn. Linda and I visited this spot when we were in Rome and had the same photo. The legend says if you tell a lie while your hand is in the mouth your fingers will be chomped off. We all survived!

After we walk back towards the coliseum to find a spot to have a cold drink with a view of the coliseum. It’s so hot even in the shade and kids have a lenonade while we have our standard beer / aperol.

After we taxi back to our hotel for a shower and some journal. Andrew heads to the Irish pub around the corner for some time to catch up on his journal while I attempt to get the kids writing. Not much success!

We head out to a local trattoria for dinner around the corner. It’s ok. I try the meat balls, and some potatoes Roman style. Kids pastas are nice. Thomas tries a cacio e Pepe with mint and lime which is quite tasty and fresh. Andrew has a nice sausage dish which is tasty.

We head back to our hotel room and watch a little of the European Griswalds movie. Some seriously innapropriate content that would never fly in this day and wondering if kids should be watching! Fast forward the really naughty bits.

Another early kick off and much better time of day to be walking. Kids have some dry cereal on the go and we walk towards the coloseum. It’s not very far from our hotel now that we have our bearings. We stop at one of the many street water fountains called nasoni’s. (They have a funny shaped nose). It’s handy as we are drinking lots of water in the heat and it’s nice and cold and usually one nearby.

Andrew finds us a place that serves “American Breakfast” so he can have some eggs and bacon. I have a smoothie and kids indulge in chocolate pastries. A coffee too.

We get to the tour company and are very early! While we wait we take some fun photos in front of the colosseum.

We set off with Rita our guide and our tour includes a few families, one who is also travelling from Australia. Originally from Perth. The wife is Irish and a town near Malahide!

we walk through security and lines are stilll quiet as our tour is so early and one of the first of the day. We start in the arena floor where we learn about the status of gladiators in the time and the many deaths that happened not in battle but from infections post battle with other gladiators or the animals that weee shipped in.

We get some great photos around the coloseum, great stores from a very animated guide and it really keeps the kids engaged although Rita’s accent is difficult to follow so it sure how much they really understand.

After the \240tour we jump back on the bus and get off at piazza Venezia as we want to see Pantheon and Piazza Navona. The pantheon has a line but it moves quickly and it’s an amazing site with the dome and open circle for light in the centre. Raphael is buried inside and there is some amazing paintings.

We walk to Piazza Navona and Thomas has a photo with a street artist. It’s fun and worth the 2 euro donation! We have a photo with the magnificent and largest fountain in the square, Fontana dei Quattra Fiumi. We then get on the hunt for Andrew’s Porchetta sandwich which is determined to have before we leave Rome.its hot and I just want to sit down and get a drink. We find the place after walking the streets, find some cute hotels covered in vines. The sandwich shop we find does not do Porchetta sandwiches much to my dismay and frustration now! Thank goodness for the place next door which turns out to be fabulous and had we have spent more time looking at reviews and the menu we probably would have tried a salumi plate instead of the Porchetta. The kids both have a Porchetta sandwich and Andrew and I have Porchetta with some cheese and cold cheese as an accompaniment. It’s all delicious and everyone is happy. I enjoy using google translate to work out what the chalk board signs all say (lots of expletives and funny sayings) lots of great old photos around on the wall too of the family with pieces of ham.

We get back to the hotel and change for the trip back to Siena. We make the journey fairly quickly as we are keen to get back for Palio. Trial run this evening in piazza del campo.

We arrive in the square and find a place at the dive bar a Andrew found the previous week but has a great view from balcony (sadly balcony is now a paid luxury only for those who have reserved it) we meet some American retirees who have done just that and paid over 600 euro per person to sit in the balcony for tomorrow nights race.

Andrew buys drinks and and we have them in the alley into the piazza. Kids and I walk down into the piazza and sit on the stands but learn quickly this is reserved for the people of each contrada. We asked to move on!

The piazza is shut down just before the race starts so we make our way back into the middle. It’s so crowded now and the contradas each have a stand where they sit together and passionately sing the song of their symbol. We are the snail or chiocolla. Red and yellow flag. We got the kids scarves to wear so we could be in the spirit. Some Italian boys say a few words as they pass us. They are Ps into this race and take everything. Wry seriously. There are several false starts as it’s difficult to settle the horses with no barricades to hold them in order before start. Simply a rope. There are a few starts and after a few, the crowd enters the arena and it’s all done. After we walk back outside and see horses and supporters walking the narrow alleyways cheering and walking along with their contrada. Young and old, children, women. Everyone is involved. It’s such an amazing community to watch and be part of.after the race we stop at a restraint which is kind of posh. The waitress is a title snobby and puts us inside. Andrew is very indecisive and finally decides on a lobster pasta which turns out to be impressive made with fresh lobster. I have an octopus salad, kids have pastas. The service is a little average and while the meal is great we are keen to get home as it’s late and we are tired.

We are all tired and are happy to sleep today after a late night but we are also keen to get back to the piazza and experience the last trial race of the Palio so at 7.30 i wake the whole family up and we have quick showers to get out of the house. Kids have a super quick brekkie.

We are in the piazza just before 9 and its busy for the morning but nothing like last nights trial. The crowd in the piazza is building and we still have time to enter before the trial which starts more like 9.30’not 9 as we were told. The children and supporters of \240contradas are set up in the stands and now the two disqualified are no longer there it seems a little empty.

The race has several false starts again and it alerts no real race happens this morning as at the end, the crowd simply takes the track and starts patting the horses and cheering on the jockeys. It’s all very strange and with no announcement and not understanding Italian we aren’t sure of what’s going on. After the race the horses parade through the streets with contradas and it’s all very cool to watch.

We follow our contrada for a while up the narrow streets and decide tomatoonand check out the duomo and buy some fruit and then head back to our accomodation. We make lunch and hang out for a few hours and decide it’s too big a opportunity to miss and we will find a place to watch the race near the piazza. It proves more difficult then we thought. We head towards the piazza as we would like to see the famous parade but as we approach the massive que to get into the one open entrance we notice a flashing signs that says NO CHILDREN so we walk back and find a bar for a beer and aperol. They have TV’s but the whole time we are there they are fiddling with the signal to get the race on screen!

We leave and I am determined to make better use of this time in Siena and walk to some of the back streets to find something off the beaten track. Success! We find a little bar with a small TV out back of no interest to the locals yet as the race hasn’t started. Kids and I sit at the small table and chairs in front of the TV which is perfect as it’s much more crowded later and we have prime position and Andrew has access to the bar! We get to see some of the parade where men dressed in taditional costume wave the flag of their contrada in unison. It’s a real performance. Lots of officials present. We can’t understand a thing of course. I look at the crowds inside and am glad we are here watching from the comfort of a pub with a toilet (not a very clean one but accessible just the same) and I can have a drink without the crowds and both kids and us can see it all.

Andrew meets some Londoner’s routings as a group (men) and they get chatting. I seem to meet the more obnoxious of the group who says a few things that annoy me so kids and I stick together watching events unfold.

The race kicks off with the usual false starts and long winded process of getting the horses calm. A white horse seems very panicked and unsettled and is eventually eliminated. The race is run finally and the dragon contrada wins. We leave the pub and jubilant people are screaming and chanting in the streets. It’s quite the atmosphere to be a part of.

We head to our new found favourite pizza place for a slice before we head home. Mila has a mezze plate I create at home of fruit, carrots and toast!

We are all a bit hot and bothered at the moment and I know I am sleeping terribly due to the high heat and no air con situation. We decide to find a swimming hole today about half an hour from our place.

We pack some lunch, I make a salad, kids sandwiches and we head off. We only have some GPS co ordinates to find the river and when we arrive there are signs in Italian which indicate there is no access to the river. Andrew does a walk and can’t see much and we can’t takes car much further on the dirt road. We have no wifi so we decide to drive to the other Siena swimming area. We get wifi again and work out the next location, a place another 20 minutes drive in a place called Brenna. The river Merse. We arrive and only a few people around and the water looks ok. Not all that exciting and doesn’t quite look like the photos and we don’t have wifi again so hard to work out where we need to be. We walk along the river past a family in a small rocky area and find a spot through the bush where we set ourselves up. The water is fairly shallow and the river doesn’t smell great but we will cook off here as it’s very hot!

We hang here for about 2 hours, have some lunch. Lots of bees by the shore line which I worn the kids about yet Mila walks down no shoes and treads on one and gets stung. Ear curdling screams and thankfully she removes the sting but lots of tears and commotion.

We pack up and head back for a stop at Nanini which is a chain in this region and does pastry and alcohol amongst other things. Strange spot amongst random shops like pharmacies etc but we get inside and find it to be quite good for a cool break from the heat. Andrew and I have a cafe freddo (cold coffee they serve in cocktail glasses) and kids have gelato.

We head home and watch the Griswolds european vacation and Andrew makes us steaks and salad for dinner. This is also the start of my seriously bad indigestion. Very strong pain in chest and oesophagus. A burning situation when I swallow.

I wake with continued indigestion and my stomach isn’t great either. I think a few days of acidic tomatoes with vinegar dressing, alcohol have all played havoc with my digestion and it continues to hurt. I have tried all Andrews medications now and none seem to be helping.

I \240head out for an am walk, Andrew goes after me. We pack up for our two day stay in San Gimignano. We do some journal and andrew takes Thomas into town for a hair cut while Mila and I stay and shower, continue some maths work online. It’s lovely and Mila is quite focussed. I decide separating the kids for small stints is probably a good strategy!

As soon as Thomas is back they are up to their usual silliness and good times! Not easy when we are trying to pack up and get out.

We set off for a 40 minute drive to San Giagnano. We arrive to our new place of two levels on a short dirt road about 10 minutes walk into town. Down stairs is a cute apartment of 1 bedroom where Adam sleeps and we are upstairs in a separate apartment that has 3 bedrooms. Kids excited to have their own rooms if only for 2 nights. Mila’s room is purple as the owners daughter who is 8 used to live there.

The pool is our favourite and we are very quick to get our swimmers on and jump in. The temperature is perfect and a great relief from the hot weather outside. I still feel the indigestion so two boiled eggs are lunch for me!

Not long after our arrival, Adam drives in with his van named Serena! I think it’s a great relief for him to be around friends again and have some company after long drives on the road solo. We catch up and he gets in the pool too. Andrew makes us a great plate of salami and cheese, olives and we have a drink or two while lounging in and around the pool for a few hours.

Early evening we head into town for a bit of an explore. It’s a beautiful town. Very clean and well preserved. It has a medieval feel to it. Lots of arches and many towers as the Italians who once lived in the region tried to compete with each other by building taller buildings.

We find a small place to eat that serves the Tuscan fair, pastas, soups etc. we share a lovely \240salami plate to start which turns out to be the best bit about our meal. Andrew and I share a mushroom pasta and a saffron risotto which he orders by mistake. It ends up being the better dish!

After we walk to the gelato shop which is award winning and I have a beautiful saffron gelato (a specialty of the region) and a hazelnut gelato with whole pieces of gelato. It’s delicious! The kids and I sit and watch a harpist play beautifully under the arches of the square. Thomas tells me “I am happy” and nestles his head in my lap. It’s a really special moment and one I won’t forget on this trip!

We walk back to Adam and Andrew who are having a drink at a bar. We head back to our car and it’s a late night again! Almost

Morning walk after Andrew this morning. There is a dirt track that takes you into the town.

The views are amazing and you can see the towers and building of San Gimignano. It’s pretty amazing alongside the Tuscan country side. I walk through town and there is already lots of tourists about. A lot of Americans here and noticed more families in this region. There are lots of cute little stores which I would like to check out in this town.

I head back to our place and kids are finishing journals and playing on swings. They have found such joy in having a yard with swings!

We all get into the pool for a swim and enjoy this for an hour or so then decide it’s time to have lunch. We make a plan to drive into town for a quick lunch and come back to swim but it becomes a bit of an ordeal as Andrew can’t find parking (it’s a really busy town for day trippers and tour groups) so he drops Adam, myself and kids at the top entrance and we walk to find a place suitable for everyone to eat. I forgot how hard that can be on top of the fact Adam walks at a snails pace and isn’t very patient in finding a place to stop as he hasn’t had breakfast so think a case of the hangries is coming! We find a spot but the tables are full inside and outside it’s too hot. We find another but there is nothing Mila will eat (it’s all paninis) so we walk back toward the entry and find a place that does everything (pasta, paninis, salad, Porchetta) which generally means it’s not good at anything! Adam is happy and so are kids so we order. The food is very average. My salad is pretty basic! Andrew has a meat plate he doesn’t enjoy and Thomas’ salami baguette is filled with pretty average salami (such a shame when there is real quality places to eat in this town)

We end up walking through town and stop at a few shops including one filled with hand painted ceramics. Adam picks some oil dispensers, we get a Xmas Bauble with San Gimignano painted on it. Andrew is keen to get a beautiful platter we can have for serving and entertain. It’s a lovely idea but when I find out the price and cost to ship to Australia I think it’s over the top! I would cringe every time it got chipped or damaged in our home as is inevitable in our place!

We then leave Adam and continue our walk to the other side of town and on the way out check out the church which has old frescoes painted inside. When we arrive there is a string ensemble playing inside who are visiting from California. I’m excited as I have wanted Mila to see violin performed while we are away but she is not all that interested and Andrew is looking at time and Adam is waiting for us to collect him.

We pick up Adam and head to the local Conad for a few supplies and back in the pool for a swim before dinner. The temperature is perfect in and out of the pool.

Dinner tonight is booked at the local restaurant with the most stunning view over the Tuscan hills. We found it earlier as we walked into town. We have been seated right at the front with the best view!

I have a rather excessive cheese plate which includes the pear cheese of the region which Adam and I decide is a flavour not unlike those yellow banana lollies you can get in Australia. It’s strange and nice but only in small quantities. The plate is served with a pot of honey.

Andrew has the most amazing mushroom pasta with very fresh mushrooms. Adam has large raviolis with a pistachio crumb. He kindly swaps with me half way so I get to try it too.

For main I have a tomato burrata pasta which is really tasty and simple but I just can’t enjoy it as I’m pretty stuffed after the cheese plate and my indigestion hasn’t completely subsided. Kids have cottoletas with the most tasty potato fluffy gems.

A car appears mid way through dinner and seems to like Andrew as it continues to sit by him for most of the night. It has a tag around its neck “sure flap” which we decide is his name! He is a big fat grey cat and clearly much loved.

The restaurant is busy with only two waiters serving the many full tables. A large American group sits behind us and I laugh as I hear them ordering the beautiful pastas and asking for key ingredients to be removed.

After dinner we have a digestivo which is a typical drink after diner. It’s quite herbal and is lovely, not as strong as a rakija.

We walk into town for the “award winning gelato”. Drive home for a late night and good nights sleep with air conditioning!

Very impressed with Sam Gimignano. It’s a beautiful little part of Italy and I am enjoying the exploration albeit only a short visit.

I head out for a brief walk into town and back before we start the pack up for check out at 10am. It’s already pretty warm and by the time I return the temps are already close to 30.

We pack up the house and Adam has decided to change his plan and will head to Croatia today rather than drive through Siena and lunch with as planned. It means we can spend some more time in San Gimignano around town and having lunch.

We drive up the hill for one last photo together with the town backdrop and say our goodbyes to Adam. We promise we will light a candle or two in prayer for a love for him to be found in Slovenia where he will head in a few days time.

We park the car in town and walk around for a few hours. I head back to a store I found yesterday and spend some time trying on dresses and skirts in unique prints. I find a gorgeous skirt I love and buy it. Success! It’s also made in Italy and will be a great memory of my time here.

I meet Andrew and the kids and we find a souvenir shop for lots of fun italian things the kids can give their school friends when we return.

Andrew stops for a beer and journal update and I take the kids to the shop that sells milk shakes. 8 euro each!! They don’t finish them. I am not happy. I am starving by now as I don’t do brekkie so I finish these off and keeps me going until we find our lunch destination.

We have found a great spot for the kids to have a slice of pizza. Mila is sorted with a napolitan sauce, oregano and garlic. She loves it. Thomas can’t find one to his liking as there are mushrooms or other additions which don’t agree with him so we find him a salami foccacia which is spicy and he doesn’t finish.

Thankfully it allows Andrew and I to find a great spot for lunch that serves a fresh summer salad and Andrew has pasta. We are both happy and try a regional white wine. Kids hang out outside finishing their lunch in front of the restaurant. It’s a win for us all! We consider how much better we could have eaten yesterday had Adam been a little more patient and we walked a bit further to find something less touristy! Oh well! He was happy enough with his lunch.

We had back to the car late afternoon for the drive back to Siena. Stop for some groceries for chicken fajitas as keen for a dinner in we can all enjoy together. Thankfully not too far and when we arrive our place has been shut up and it’s hot. There is no water so we can’t shower. Andrew tried to ezplain to Duccio who proceeds to fiddle with the plumbing for an hour or so. The water comes through eventually but it’s yellow.

We have dinner and watch the Griswolds trip to Wally World while Duccio and now a plumber work on the water issue. Still no shower and Andrew is hand flushing sewage now as we still need a toilet! What a night.

Eventually the water is back, the house is too hot and I still have indigestion. Not fun.

We all head off to bed except Andrew who is keen to watch Wimbledon.

Our last full day in Siena at our little place in Belcaro. Andrew heads out to post office to post a parcel of things to reduce our luggage. He posts to Basel so we can collect on the journey home to Sydney in September and will save us lugging around for the next part of our trip.

I stay home with the kids who journal and then I make them a cotoletta salad each which they love! Apparently Mila wants one at school everyday when she is back. Store bought schnitzels have been a winner in Italy! I have left over fajitas. Thomas is sneezing a lot and sniffling so we do a covid test but he is negative. We encourage him to wear a mask on the tour so he doesn’t spread whatever he might have. Other than that he is full of energy as always.

After we head into Siena to the Duomo to tour the floor, baptistery, crypt and climb the gates of heaven. It’s a beautiful cathedral and we climb the stairs first and tour above the dome and get a great view into the cathedral for the detail of the dome and the surrounding view outside.

Inside we explore the cathedral and floors which have beautiful detailed marble pictures. We light a candle for Robbie and Adam to find love soon!

The crypt is not all that interesting but the views we experience above the walls outside are fantastic and you can see all around Siena. We meet a lovely Spanish couple in the que to go into the walk above the walls and they have a little 2 year old who is liking Mila!

It starts to rain a little while we are outside on the wall so we come down fairly quickly.

After we have done much of the complex we find a small bar beside the crypt building which serves the best aperitivo we have had in Italy. The servings are generous and include large olives which we haven’t found elsewhere! I have a great sweet & sour drink on ice. Andrew enjoys his negroni and then another round of wine instead.

From here we continue onto dinner at our local we have been meaning to try the whole time while in Siena. Montabulcio. It’s run by the daughter of our hosts and she is called Ilaria. A lovely lady who is excited when Andrew explains where we are staying. Mila is most upset we aren’t going home to change first as we are hot and sweaty from our day out and she has planned her outfit. I am not all that happy either as would have preferred to freshen up but that extra drink pushed us and we were enjoying ourselves and the people watching.

The dinner is outstanding. Andrew and I share octopus and potato mash cold which is delicious. Andrew has a clam pasta while I have a fried plate of prawns, calamari and fish. Thomas has a wonderful meat plate which he devours and we all try and enjoy. Mila has her standard ragu which is not one of the best ones she has had

Desert is a molten cake which I share with Mila while Thomas has a gelato ball which is sweet.

Andrew and I have our digestivo and we heard home impressed with our local and wish we had been sooner. The only down side is the view. It sits on the hill with a view of all of Siena but they don’t utilise this in the restaurant! I’m sure there was a reason.

Our last morning in La Collinetta as we decide to move on with a place that has a pool and air con for two nights in Asciano nearby before we head to Florence to end our time in Italy.

Kids journal, Andrew goes for his run. I finish packing up both kids and I and tidy the house. It’s immaculate by the time we head off just after midday. The kids made a lovely card for Duccio and Stefania (our hosts) I forgot to take a photo of the picture and message they wrote. Mila and Thomas drew cucumbers and apricots on the front (which Duccio gave to Thomas from his garden. Mila drew a picture of Duccio trying to fix the plumbing but somehow the drawing looked a little like a man’s appendage! Never mind, leave it to the Italians to interpret.

Inside Mila transalted from English into Italian an ice thanks for the fruit and veg and that we enjoyed our stay at their house.

We head off to have all you can eat Japanese as we all wanted a break from Rick Italian food (not complaining but needed to mix it up) im sure we will miss it once we leave but we also have new things to try in Croatia.

The restaurant has robots to help serve the meals. It’s a bitl of fun for the kids. Food is good but nothing is as good as what we had in Lake Garda! All I really wanted was a poke salad but it wasn’t on the menu. Kids love the food and have two lots of chicken Katsu and chicken bites, cucumber rolls.

After lunch we head into Siena with a small stop at a local cannoli shop where they hand fill cannoli to order. Kids have a mini each and I get a large filled with fresh ricotta and dipped in nocciola. I take one bite and it’s pretty magnificent! Leave the rest for later in the day. \240We take a few last photos with our t shirts on in the piazza. Get a compliment from some tourists! Go inside the building at the piazza called the tower of mangia You can’t climb tower today as it’s closed. Common message we find when not planning ahead. It’s ok, we have climbed enough towers so far on this trip!

We head back to car for our drive to Asciano. Kids and I are exhausted and we all fall asleep on the drive. I am feeling a little run down like I am getting what Thomas has. I have been giving Thomas propolis drops since yesterday and it seems to have helped. Must remember this when home but not sure if it’s available in Sydney.

We arrive in Asciano country side and take a dirt track to our podere. Sant Antonio. \240It’s a historic home which has been converted into accomodation and ours has a large master and upstairs where the kids will sleep. The place has a beautiful pool and jacuzzi, plus a BBQ which excites Andrew who has wanted to BBQ since we arrived in Siena. He has already stopped for meats in local coop so we will feast on these tonight.

We are all quick to get to the pool, water is very cool and fresh but kids have a go. It’s windy now too. The jacuzzi is pretty appealing as it’s like warm and just right for relaxing in.

A few drinks and Andrew starts prepping dinner. We set up outside under a small rotunda with a stunning view and dine together then hit the jacuzzi to watch the sun set. It’s a pretty amazing night and something no doubt we will remember for many years to come. A very happy family night. We pack up our stuff and head in with the intent of heading to bed (Andrew has put a movie on and kids are trying to get to sleep) but the power goes out and kids are freaking out as it’s pitch black and only just agreed on which light we could leave on for them.

It’s out for about 45 minutes and thankfully returns. Some poor guests have been locked out as the gate won’t work with no power. It’s another eventful night for the Prices. Plumbing issues, power..it’s Italy!

I am out of the house by 7.30 and decide to walk into town for some Milk and supplies. We are determined not to use the car while here and would like some exercise. The walk into town isn’t too bad as mostly shade and it’s down hill from our podere (farm). It’s a first track for about 3 before you even get into town roads. There are some angry looking dogs tied up on a property that bark a lot when I pass. A small cemetery is also along the way attached to a local church.

I make it through the arches and make my way to coop grocery store for milk and ends up being more. Sparkling Water, sausages, salad ingredients! It’s a big load to carry back more than 3km back and uphill and by now the heat has increased. On the way back I grab and espresso and some sweet treats for the kids. The walk back up the hill is tough! The water bottles weigh a tonne and only seem heavier as I approach the dirt road hill!

I get back and Andrew heads out for his run while I work with the kids on journals and breakfast. We head down to the pool area and spend much of the day lazing by the pool. It’s temperature is too cold for me and to be honest kids don’t swim in it too much either and prefer the jacuzzi. I make up a treasure hunt with clues around the property and hide lollies that uncle Adam gave the kids in San Gimignano.

Andrew makes the kids some lunch (Mila has a salad with prosciutto) and I make myself a tuna melt which I have been craving! The sliced cheese I bought to use is really old school wrapped cheese slices! It’s kind of sweet but it does the job. (Bread is also sweet and it’s whole meal) we have had to expirement a little with breads as often the fresh stuff we buy has been rock hard and not sandwich worthy!

The kids do their treasure hunt after lunch and enjoy the challenge for 20 minutes or so. It does bring me joy watching them figure out the clues but I think I need to get a little more creative and make them more difficult in future!

We sit around the pool most of the afternoon, have a salumi plate mainly to use up whatever is left in the fridge as we can’t take it to Florence. The esky will be left behind here. I manage to get burnt on my chest as it’s windy and the sun is harsh and I have only put on sunscreen later in the day! I am so focussed on the kids having sunscreen on I tend to forget about lathering up myself.

Andrew starts prepping for dinner, another meat fest and we have a burrata and tomato salad with it. It’s such a lovely spot sitting outside watching the sunset and the others staying in the farm house are all out so we are really by ourselves enjoying this beautiful paradise. Thomas gets a nose bleed as we sit down to dinner and I think all the dry, hot weather and now air con in the new place has contributed to the issue of a dry nasal passage.

Unfortunately we have pretty much used up all alcohol now so no wine left to drink but not a bad thing given it’s a nightly ritual on this trip.

After dinner we get back into the hot tub, nobody else seems to be using it! We are enjoying its warmth as the sun sets over the Asciano hillside.

We head inside and get ready for bed. Hoping there is no power outage tonight. Andrew switches on The Talented Mr Ripley. I fall asleep somewhere in the movie. Good night!

We spend the morning packing up our bags and consolidating bags back to the four pieces of luggage we arrived with. When done, we practice our Italian dance to video by the pool. A few goes and we get it done. Not perfect but it’s the fun of doing this together in every country.

We set off just after 11 but not before a false start, we left the kids lunch boxes in the fridge!

We hit the road to Florence which seems like an easy drive now that Andrew is a seasoned expert on the Italian motorways. On the road Andrew asks me to check the parking situation at the hotel and on the website I see there is mention of distance to key sites around Florence. I note that Uffizi, the museum we have tickets for this afternoon is mentioned separately to the Stayie of David which Andrew wants to see today. Alarm bells. I’m quiet. How will I break the news. Let’s see if tickets for the Academia Museum are available today (where the statue resides) I bought Iffozi tickets last week to ensure we didn’t have this exact issue and it turns out I got the wrong museum!

Unfortunately given time of day and a Sunday there is no chance to buy tickets on line for the David in academia. I let Andrew know and very quickly he is talking refund for Uffizi. After all the stuffing around in San Gimignano to buy these tickets I just can’t see how refunding is an option. I am also keen to see some of the art works at Uffizi. I can’t recall if Linda and I came when we were in Florence. Park this conversation for later. Maybe our concierge can help!

Arriving in Florence to our hotel, we park at the front (a luxury) kids and I check in while Andrew returns the car around the corner at eorcar. There is a rock band from the states who are also checking in. Andrew sees one of the girls large bags and makes a cheeky comment and she is totally unimpressed. One of the girls has hairy under arms which Mila notes and questions. They are an interesting group to watch and so “rock and roll” in their attire and demeanour.

We get our room key (old fashion key) The kids and I open the room, the presidential suite which Andrew has booked with airline points and there reaction is priceless! The hotel was commissioned by the Medici family of Florence and has much of its original detail. The room has a beautiful four poster bed, painted frescoes on the ceiling and provincial style lounges all around. The kids have their own suite in the adjoining room and each have a fold out bed. The bath tub has curtains.

Andrew arrives and we freshen up. The plan is for some lunch then to walk to pick te Vecchio to wxpore the jewellery shops as i am hoping to get a lovely necklace to remember our time in Italy.

There is a bistro over the road from our hotel where we decide to have lunch as it’s quick and convenient and saves us walking all the way into town. I order a octopus salad with potatoes as it’s something that Robbie mentions in Camogli as a really great dish. I should have thought more about my distance from the sea as it’s pretty crap! The idea of it is nice but the octopus is fat and chewy and I really don’t enjoy it. I should have sent it back but it’s hard enough with the language barrier that I battle through and eat everything but the octopus. Andrew has a sardine pasta which he enjoys. I do move the service of bread and bits with our drinks that the kids snack on and we will miss this aspect of Italy.

We walk into Florence and head to the Ponte Vecchio. Andrew is also determined to find some white sneakers to replace a pair ruined when he left them outside in the rain in Siena. We pop into Zara and golden goose with astronomical prices! No luck. We don’t have a lot of time before our 4pm entry time to the museum so we do a quick dash over the bridge and the last shop at the end has a piece I love. Circular pendants which emulate the circular features of churches in Italy. They are made in Assisi. We don’t have time to try things on and the store is tiny so we will come back tomorrow.

We need to the museum and at the same time Kyrgios is playing Djokovic at Wimbledon so Andrew is now listening to the game on his phone.

I collect tickets and we head inside.‘it’s hectic and lots of stairs to start at the top of the museum. The rooms themselves are amazing to walk through with arches and paintings. There are only a handful of pieces I really would like to see and it’s a mission finding these amongst the many rooms of statues and artwork. It’s a little torturous for all, the crowds, it’s hot. Kids and Andrew have no interest or desire to be there! We make it’s round and see the Michelangelo room, we find Medusa and the Leonardo Da Vinci room.

We make our way through the museum and I can’t find the Venus by Botticelli and I am frustrated as it’s the one piece I would like to see here. I leave the kids and Andrew at the bottom of the museum and make my way through the corridors and stairs to the beginning where I have been directed and find it along with another famous piece. They are both beautiful and glad I made the effort to see them for myself.

I meet Andrew at the front of the museum and kids are done now. Thomas has a Bleeding nose which is the 2nd \240time this has happened. Think it’s the air con and dry air which is making his lose dry out. He is getting frustrated with a constant blocked nose. I decide to send Mila and Andrew home so I can shop with Thomas for some sandals.

We walk through the main strip but have no luck finding kids shoe stores and Nic calls from the uk and we keep missing each other so I chat to her for a bit while we walk into a famous chocolate store. Thomas decides to pick a selection of chocolates that cost me 10euro.

As we walk back we find a French brand that has sandals but they are rubbing Thomas’ feet so we leave these and walk back to the hotel for a quick shower and dinner.

A very quick turn around for an even shorter taxii ride around the corner to our top 100 bistecca!

It’s nothing like the place we originally saw in town and has a more tourist feel which we learn as we are escorted to the back section past the kitchen in a quiet room playing remakes of sting and other tracks on repeat! We order a large bistecca between Thomas, Andrew and I. Mila has a ragu. The wait staff are attentive at the beginning but progressively we feel a little forgotten. The food is nice but it’s nothing memorable and there is no real atmosphere. Andrew has received a discount due to early booking and I am sure it’s how we have ended up in the back room of the restaurant.

We walk into town for gelato taking a scenic route we haven’t seen before.

Morning in Florence before we catch the train to Roma. All had a great nights sleep in our luxurious presidential suite! Andrew I slept in until 7.30 and to be honest I could have slept all day!

We pack up the hotel room before we wake the kids and head down for brekkie. It’s an included buffet and it’s been a while so kids love it. Pancakes, bacon, toppings, fruits, croissants. They have it all. Enjoy a meusli, croissant and fruits.

We head back up to our room and then walk across the road to a cafe for our espresso before we head into Florence main square and Ponte Vecchio where Andrew and I are going to get a piece of jewellery I saw yesterday.

On a mission, we head straight there and make a fairly quick decision and choose a piece which is the Duomo of Florence. It’s a rose gold pendant on a very fine chain and it’s a perfect reminder of our travels in Italy. Love it. Thanks Andrew!

We head back towards the hotel and find Geox enroute and finally find some descent sandals for Thomas to wear. A little pricier than originally planned but they are quality and comfortable and he can wear these for the rest of our trip!

We get back to the hotel well before midday. Final sweep of our room and head down to reception. Quick taxi to the train terminal and arrive with no journey showing on the board yet. We wait for about 25 minutes, Mila has some McDonalds. Andrew has his Porchetta sandwich and Thomas decides he doesn’t want his which his very frustrating! The sandwich falls apart while he eats it so that’s the end of that!

Finally the train number to Roma comes up and sadly it’s 50 minutes delayed. A few minutes later, it says 60 minutes late. This is going to put pressure on the next trip getting the airport train to Rome airport. Nothing we can do! Andrew buys a travel adapter, I spend some time in the Sephora with the kids then we decide to sit down at a cafe so I can eat and we eat Thomas a slice of pizza.

We head back inside the terminal with some technical issues passing the gates (Milas bag blocking entry as I try to scan Andrews phone to get us all inside). The train isn’t there yet but arrives soon after our entry and we board the first class carriage. It’s very clean and comfortable and I spend the journey updating my journal.

We arrive in Rome terminal with very little time to catch the next train which will hopefully get us to Rome airport sooner. Andrew has also mistakenly bought tickets to another Rome terminal but thankfully Realises this issue and buys the right ones. The perils of buying online strikes again!

It’s also difficult to decipher signs and we follow the sign to the right plate form which just ends when we get through the gates. Where to now! Thankfully I find some helpful staff who direct us.

We run for the Rome train along with about 20 other passengers as it’s about to set off. It’s packed in the carriage and we squash us and the bags into whatever space we find. Thomas decides to move down the carriage to find a seat without us and with the train crammed it’s difficult to pass people to go find him. The train starts moving and I can’t site Thomas and panic sets in. Andrew heads into the crowded corridor to find him and thankfully sites him seated at the other end. Oblivious to my panic!

The journey is fairly fast, about half hour. Problem is we have now moves down the carriage with our bags in another section also packed. Just before we arrive Andrew moves back to the bags.

The train arrives, I get off with kids and Andrew lugs all the 4 large bags off the train. We move quickly into the terminal and head towards terminal 3 which thankfully seems quieter than everywhere else. The croatia airlines stand is also quiet with a lady and her daughter standing at the counter trying to solve some issue. We are there a good 15 minutes and the airline staff member doesn’t give us any attention as he is on the phone dealing with the other customers issue. I get his attention and explain we are on a flight to Split. He says there is plenty of time!

When he finally checks us in he asks where we are from and when we say Australia he recounts his trip there 8 years ago where he loved Manly beach. He loves the surf beaches and talks of the lack of these in Europe.

We head to customs. A non event, our officer is not so friendly. We get through security and head to the gate after a a very quick drink stop. Last beer, last aperol in Italy.

A small bus takes us to the plane which is a title propellor plane. It’s a little bigger than I expected and feeling relieved. We are greeted with the Croatian flight attendant. Dobre Dan!

Flight is about 40 mins. We land. We are in Croatia. As we fly in the site of the land, seaside is lovely!

Our driver waits in the very modern terminal. There is a film crew interviewing some men - maybe sports people? Our driver has good English and explains the drive will be windy. He mentions both kids need boosters under Croatian law but we go without as he hasn’t brought them and our is packed in the big bag now in the boot. Our driver is from former Yugoslavia so more Serbian and lives in Sibenik. I tell him I have samo malo Serbian language skills. Not a lot of chat on the trip. We are all fairly tired by now after a crazy hectic day of travel.

We arrive in Sibenik and the driver takes us through the camp site as far as he can. We walk through the many cabins and see Rudi and Kriszta who direct us to ours. We sit down for a quick drink then make our way to the local place for dinner. Andrew has a meat plate with Cevapi which he enjoys. Thomas has Turkey schnitzel and Mila Bolognese. I enjoy my grilled calamari. Kids have Sladoled and we head back to the cabins which are very modest with a balcony. The kids get a room each which they like. We have two bathrooms. A small area to dine indoors.

Andrew heads off with Rudi after dinner to meet Ando who is staying in a nearby hotel. I walk back to our cabin with Kriszta and the kids. I hope it’s not one of those big nights as it’s only day 1!

The neighbors over the way watch as we set ourselves up, not so friendly. Germans I think! it’s very close with only a small passage between us.

Off to bed late by the time I sort everything from a days travel into some order.

Morning walk with Mila to explore our new home for the next 14 days. It’s about 3km around the entire park which includes the cabins, camping, caravans and several hotels with pools. As we walk the fore shore we become super envious of the water front cabins which are literally a stones throw from the clear blue sea. Many of which seem empty. I’m testing Andrew and he has seen the same on his walk. The hotel which Ando & Eilish are staying at is the same cost per night as our cabins and they get a luxury pool, restaurants and playground plus all the modern facilities of the hotel.

Our place is fine, it’s just the close proximity to our neighbors and the lack of BBQ facilities or pretty outlook which detracts us from wanting to spend too much time there. Similar to Siena, I was hoping to have more down time just relaxing reading books on our balcony but my view is currently some unfriendly looking Germans across the next balcony!

We pack our things and head to the water park to spend the day with Ando, Eilish and Avan. It’s a small water park with some slides, a pool with current that you float in on a lilo. It’s a bit of fun for the kids but not all that interesting for us! The kids have a great day with Avan and he especially loves having the company of some engkish speaking kids of similar ages.

We head out to one of the restaurants called Bongos for lunch. It has the same format of menu as the place last night and realise this is the style of the resort complex we are in. There are a few different meals, I have a Caesar salad, Andre me enjoys his risotto. I get the feeling we won’t be wowed by our meals as we were in Italy many times!

Andrew heads off to meet Rudi for grocery shopping in the big centre while Thomas, Mila and I decide to go back to the water park as we have payed for a full days admission. As we leave the restaurant Thomas disappears and we spend the next 10 minutes searching the area for him. Mila finds him on the beach looking at rocks!

I explain the plan to Thomas who then becomes upset as he wanted to go on the inflateabke water park with Avan and Mila today! I try to explain that this activity costs money and we have already paid for the water park so will continue our day there. He isn’t happy with this and walks off in a huff again. I leave him to simmer and again, he escapes my watch. I spend the next half hour playing back and forth with him until he eventually decides to walk himself to the water park and me hot tailing it behind him. I am completely frustrated by now and just want to get on with our day!!

We spend another few hours at the water park, the kids have fun. I have a go in the lazy river. Eilish and I catch up on life. I try to find a place for dinner in Sibenik for the night but not having a lot of success with the wifi or the menus.

6pm we decide it’s time to head off and leave plans open for the night. When I get back Andrew is having a swim with Rudi. The two have been gone for two hours. Kids and I go and sit with Kriszta while we wait for Andrew to return with key. When they return we discuss dinner and decide it’s a bit late for a dinner in Sibenik so we make a plan to have cevapi and salad. Kids shower and we eat on Rudi & Kriszta’s balcony. Mila likes the cevapi. But still Andrew has to make the kids sandwiches as they refuse to eat the cevapi for their dinner.

We sit around and chat for the evening then head off to bed.

Morning walk and it’s hard to find a long route to take which will give me a good 7km of exercise! I do the loop and continue back through the campsite area and keep hitting dead ends!

Andrew takes his walk and kids do breakfast. We pack for the beach and head down just after 10.30. It’s already hot but we score the best spot under some trees but behind the playground. The sun beds are free!

Andrew and I take a dip. Kids complain of it being too cold. We sit and read and relax while kids use the swings and muck around on the shore line and park area for the day.

Kriszta and Rudi arrive just before midday and we grab some more sun beds so we have secured quite the area for the day. It’s a great spot for the day as it’s in front of a bar that plays music and has snack food, small lunch menu.

Andrew goes back to the room mid afternoon and makes kids and himself \240sandwiches. They have lunch on the beach. I have already had a burek (cheese and spinach) but Rudi offers to get me an apple one at the supermarket, fresh from the oven!

We spend most of our day at the water. The sky by late afternoon goes black and the wind really picks up. It’s scary and we learn that there are 3 bush fires burning in the area. I head back and leave Andre and the kids to wait for Avan, Eilish and Mark who are heading to our area. I want to shower and prepare for the nights dinner.

The kids and Andrew aren’t back until 6.30 so in head to Rudi and Kriszta’s place. Unfortunately Rudi is unwell and feels sick in the stomach. We have a drink while we wait. A Rakia hells Rudi a little. Andrew returns, they all shower and we walk to the old Croatian village restaurant. There is a fire for cooking and many rooms set up to look like an old village. The table are set with traditional table clothes and we are given a long table in a stone hut. It’s very cute.

Kids run off to explore. Rudi feels unwell and is sick in the toilets but returns feeling a little better. He thinks too many rich foods today have affected him. Including all the Burek. Eilish and crew are late as they had to walk back to get ready after meeting Andrew and kids in the afternoon. We have some starters which include some salamis and cheeses plus breads.

I order the octopus with chard and potatoes for main. Andrew does a meat plate with Mark. It’s a fun night all round catching up. Later Andrew calls Becky Molloy and we chat about our Ireland plans. Rudi and Kriszta head off. I don’t think Rudi is so well. Eilish and crew head back to our place for a night cap and kids play greed. It’s very late and we are all exhausted. Thankfully our new neighbors are young and seem to be out partying so our noisy music and chat hasn’t offended anyone!

A very big sleep in for us all after a late night with Eilish, Mark and Avan at our place. Andrew still manages his job around the Amadris site. We pack sandwiches for the kids and stuff for the kids to do inflateables on the water. I stay home as I have a whopping headache. No doubt the result of too much wine last night but also wondering if I am having coffee withdrawals as we had one - two each day in Italy without fail and it’s been two days now since I have had a coffee.

I rest in the air conditioned cabin and catch up on social and Journo posts. Andrew takes the kids to the inflatables and they have a great time until Avan has a melt down as he loses site of Mark and swim ashore.

I walk down after midday to meet them all at a small bar next to a restaurant that serves food. I take a quick dip and enjoy an iced coffee and suprisingly my headache disseapers. The kids build rock formations and play near the water skimming rocks. They spend little time in the water as it seems rocks are putting them off along with the temperature. It is cool but I think it’s refreshing from the heat.

Andrew and I share a burger for a late lunch and we spend the afternoon just chilling in the bar and having swims in the water below.

We walk back to our cabin to change and have booked an Italian restaurant for dinner. Kriszta and Rudi join us. Rudi is feeling a little better but still taking it easy.

We all have pastas, Rudi has pizza. Andrew I share a seafood pasta and mushroom cabonara style pasta. They are ok but it’s hard to compete when you have just spent a month in Italy and eaten beautiful authentic Italian food!

Kids finish with gelato and wander down to the outdoor cinema that has been set up on the beach. Kids have front row and adults all feeling excited as they seem to have forgotten about the idea of mini golf tonight.

Unfortunately Avan comes running back to our table and mentions mini golf, Thomas follows. We say our goodbyes to Eilish, Mark and Avan thinking out kids will watch movie but Thomas decides he wants to join them..we get a message after they leave that mila decides to join too. Much to her dismay we learn later as she wanted to watch the movie but didn’t want to stay by herself.

Rudi, Kriszta, Andrew and I take a nice walk to the mini golf (krista and Rudi head back before we get there) and Andrew and I walk around scoring the game with kids. Thomas has a few moments as per usual!

Late finish close to 10.30 and we say final goodbyes (Eilish has left early to pack for their journey tomorrow) and we head back to the cabin for bed.

Morning walk and small jog around the Amadris site. A video call to mum & dad. Then when I return I have coffee at Rudi & Kriszta’s (they Brought the Nespresso machine and it’s the best coffee of the resort and free) while kids complete journals. Andrew FaceTimes Pam and we all have a catch up on the last week since we last spoke. Kevin’s heart is still causing issues after last weeks procedure to get the rhythm back in check and he will have another ablation which his doctor feels will fix the issue as it did 2 years ago.

We pack up and make packed lunch for kids to walk to the other end of the resort in search of clear waters without sea urchins or too many rocks on entry. This takes us a little further than the kids desire but we find the perfect spot for the day and hire some chairs and an umbrella right next to the water. There is also a bar nearby. The water is cool and refreshing but still feels too cold for the kids. Thomas does get in eventually but lot for long. Mila gets in briefly. Kids happy buiilding things with the many boulders, Thomas finds rope which entertains him for hours. I get to read my book.

In the late afternoon Andrew and I have Long Island ice teas which really hit the spot. I love people watching here as there are people of all ages located around us. Two women likely in their Malays 50’s are wearing bikinis and every time they take a dip, they return to change into an new set of dry swim wear to sunbake! It’s quite the strategy getting their bikinis on and off in full view of everyone around.

We head back late afternoon and prepare the evening meal with Kriszta and Rudi at their place. We are are al having cevapi and cabbage salad. Kupus. My special recipe. Kristzta and Rudi kindly went out today to the large supermarket and shopped for us as well as their own needs.

We serve up dinnner and the cevapi are gone very quickly as now Thomas and Mila have decided to eat them there is less to go around!

After dinner we have some chocolate treats from here and some picked up in Italy on our trip. We then start to discuss plans for the end of our journey in Switzerland and how we can make the most of our time. Nothing locked in and we resolved to book something closer to the time.

Off to bed for kids and we follow not much later.

Decided to get back to doing some hit as everything starting to feel a bit stiff and flabby after weeks of no gym and only walking as exercise! Great to see exercise on the balcony and it’s early so only one neighbour sees my efforts! He also happens to train on his balcony and inspires me to get back into it.

Andrew does his usual run and then late morning sets off with Rudi to collect a new hire car so we can get out and about.

I stay home and battle with journals, some hand washing as the communal washing machines are all too hard to secure and operate. Kids do a little maths too by the time Andrew returns at midday. Kids have their lunch and i have a couple of boiled eggs. We pick up and set off with Rudi and Kriszta to Primosten. It’s only half hour drive and we take a beautiful coastal road that takes us past the stunning beaches along the way. Mostly old homes with red roofs. A few modern builds with oools look at odds but also very appealing.

We arrive in Primosten and find a local car park, kids get water shoes to help with the Ricky beach and we walk down to the shore line and find a spot for the day that’s shaded. We spend a few hours in this beautiful cove where there are street stalls selling palacinke (pancakes) gelato, chips and nuggets. There is also the important each bar!

Kids have a swim and the water is cool but refreshing. It gets deep very quickly but thankfully both are confident swimmers. It’s fairly busy too but enough room for everyone. We are entertained by the inflatable in front of us and two large men jumping on a mattress that propels small kids into the sky then water!

I have an afternoon snack of mozzarella cheese sticks and chips. Thomas and ice block and a mila a pancake with Nutella.

Andrew and I have a drink at the bar. I do a little reading, swimming and lounging. People watching is fun. A man in fluoro speedos with a daily large package is hilarious especially as Andrew sees the same site!

Later a group of 20 something Croatians bring a large boom box to play loud Croatian music on the shore line. It’s fun! Andrew and I Shazam a few tunes.

We walk around the path that takes you around the beach and back towards town. There is a DJ setting up and it looks great as he is directly on the beach and there are bungalow style beds around the area.

We drop things back to car and head into town for a walk to church on the hill. The laneways up to the church are pretty and lined with interesting little shops of swimwear, trinkets and tourist things.

We take some photos and walk through the cemetery with the most amazing view and reflect on some of the head stones. Entire families buried in one plot. Kids have lots of questions and I don’t have all the answers. I guess when you secure a spot in this small cemetery you want the whole family to be buried here!

We find a cute place called Agave to eat. Much fancier than adjacent spots in the laneway but the waiter welcomes us and we have a nice meal. I have a tuna steak which is a little over cooked but tasty. Andrew has a seafood stew with polenta. It’s ok, very rick and saucy.

We walk into the open air area where a band is setting up, ordeee gelato and the man who serves me has no English and no math and is very confused by my large currency and ends up giving me fat too much change. Andrew arrives and we swap to smaller kuna and it’s still confusing to him so I revert to the little Croatian I know and relay how much I need back. A mere Osam Kuna in coins not all the notes he is trying to hand me. How much has this man lost in profits tonight.

We walk by street stalls and Mila has a grump as she would like to buy some sandals she saw in a shop. Thomas decides he doesnt want to waste tooth fairy money on a few Pokémon cards. Maybe I am finally getting through!

Back to car and it’s very late. The town is busy and has a great buzz. The sunset is so pretty and we have had a lovely afternoon. Hope we can return.

Back to cabin and kids asleep in car so we get them inside, wash the dirty feet they both have and we all go to bed.

Morning HIIT class for me and a run for Andrew. Kids journal and have breakfast. Andrew Rae’s the kids to get some groceries and pool rings they can use in the water. We pack some lunch up and take the kids to our close beach just a short walk from cabin. We don’t find lounges as it’s so late so set up under a tree with shade. Kids now have their rings so are keen to get in the water and use them. Water also seems warmer as it’s much hotter outside today.

We spend much of the day here swimming and relaxing, reading. It’s a great way to spend the day. Kriszta and Rudi come to meet us and also lounge with us and eventually also have a swim. 6pm we decide to go back to our cabin and shower as Rudi has made plans to meet the travellers who have just arrived from Hungary and are staying in cabins about 1km up from our area. We decide to head to Bongos where we enjoyed a lunch with Eilish, Avan and Mark last week.

Levante arrives first with two boys. One is his eldest son and the other is Garbors boy Mate. Not sure of correct spelling! Andrew introduces himself and I say hello again after almost 20 years. The rest of the gang arrive, Zsuzsanna, Gabor, their youngest boy and Ava, Leventes girl names lilla. We all catch up and make two tables to sit together. We order meals and drinks and the kids are apprehensive at first as they don’t know each other and some can speak English better than others.

It doesn’t take long before they are throwing frisbee together and all seem a little more relaxed. Andrew and I share pizza which is very average. I am getting a bit over eating mediocre meals now. We have been away so long and just want some good food.

After dinner kids play uno and we alll head back to Gabor’s for a drink. His special Hungarian wine and a potion that has a medical cross on front and is very strong and herbal. This is ok, the wine not so much. It’s like a port.

It’s getting close to 11pm so we walk back to the cabins with Kriszta, Rudi and Gabor, Zsuzsanna come too for a night cap.‘I’m glad Andrew is also tired and ready for bed as too many of the crazy late drinking nights will play havoc on our days together!

Morning HIIT class and Andrew goes jogging. Kids journal. Quick coffee at Kriszta and Rudis which is our current morning routine. We pack some lunches and swim stuff for a day out to Murter. This is about 40 minutes drive and a smal island accessed by a road bridge.

It’s a picturesque drive. We pass some lamb or pork on the spit roasting in fire which looks appealing. (Well not the lamb bit)

We arrive and drive through town which has a beach and realise we need to drive further for the famous sand beach. Podrvske. There is a parking attendant and we pay 50 kuna to park all day. It’s already hot and busy as it’s close to midday. We find a spot in the shade and head into the water. It’s lovely feeling having sand under foot again and it’s a popular spot because of this.. Crystal blue waters surround us. Food stalls offer cevapi and corn, beer, palacinke.

We enjoy our lunches, a cider and beers. Lots of swimming and relaxing. Kids of course try a palacinke filled with Nutella. It’s thick and yummy! So many children swim naked in Croatia. Especially the little boys, some look as old as Thomas! They are all so free and happy. Thomas wouldn’t dare but Mila is becoming less self conscious and often takes her swim \240top off. One less thing to wash.

Rudi and Kriszta join us late afternoon but don’t swim as there are no showers to rinse off. We walk down to the jetty for a look. A few kids throwing themselves off into deeper water. There are small fishing boats and a lazy black cat. We \240decide to head back to pack up for the day. We drive back to the township to find a shower so we can rinse before our trip back to Sibenik. The water is so salty it leaves the skin dry and tight and not nice so a fresh water rinse is always welcome.

We drive to Sibenik old town and park. Walk around the old streets and lane ways. It’s lovely to be outside the resort complex which lacks the history and interesting buildings and atmosphere of the old town. I also love to see the Croatian culture amongst the streets. Lined with shops selling souvenirs and crochet pieces. Jewellery and alcohol. People out and about it feels a little more like we are visiting real aroatia.

We walk down to the water front and find a restaurant that Andrew read a good review about. There is nobody there but it is early!

We continue our walk around the back streets searching for something suitable. Menus look touristy and very similar in content.the problem is we are also at the bottom of Sibenik town and we need to make our way up which is fall of slippery stone streets all on an incline and kids are over walking. We find our way to a small section of restaurants and find something that looks a little more traditional. We order a meat plate between Andrew, Thomas and I. A very plain and boring cabbage salad. (Nothing like how I make it). The food is tasty but over filled with potatoes on the platter.

Kids find a comic festival and I chat to Nic as Harry wants to catch-up. The boys chat momentarily but seem to lose interest quickly! We wander back towards our car park and it’s quite lively now in town but we are all tired after a hot day on the beach so we decide to drive back to our cabin for an early night.