Venice, Italy

My dreams finally came true as I was welcomed with arms wide open to Italy.

We woke up bright and early the next morning as we prepared to head to Venice. I was beyond excited because going to Italy has been at the top of my bucket list for years now. I have always imagined myself on the Mediterranean coast eating pizza and getting lost in some of the world's most amazing art. I wanted to lose myself in the streets of Venice and stuff myself silly in the restaurants of Rome. I couldn't have been more excited for our stop in Italy. I couldn't wait to enjoy the drive, in the front seat, hand in hand with my main squeeze and enjoy the last bits of Switzerland before I took my first Italian breath. In my mind it was going to be incredible. 

My happy girl during the 8 hour car ride

In reality, Ellie woke up during the transfer from the hotel to the car and spent the entire eight hours wide awake. I don't think there is anything more disappointing than expecting a child to sleep and never achieving the sweetness of baby slumber. I was stuck in the backseat the entire ride singing stories of princesses and playing Jake and the Neverland Pirates. It was exhausting. Of course, we had to make a few stops because she had to go potty and then when we finally found a potty (which isn't as easy as you might think in Europe) she didn't have to go anymore or she just couldn't go. It was also quite frustrating. The stops were breathtaking though, one being near a huge lake in a small Swiss town and the other being deep in a swiss valley surrounded by all encompassing mountains.  We stopped for a bit and played princesses on the playground hoping that she would tire out or use the bathroom. It was a very stressful eight hours and probably the worst, yet most beautiful drive of them all.

We arrived in Italy and although it reminded me a little of a nicer more green mexico, I was in love. It was humid as heck and I didn't mind one bit. I loved the sun and the canals and the architecture and the language and the people. Italy and I were made for each other. 

Our train ride to Venice

Daddy enjoying his cuddles

The day was ridiculously stressful, an eight hour drive followed by an hour wait at the train station (we missed our train) and then a mistake in buying sparkling water instead of still for a very parched husband, made for a few scuttles and bumps in the road, but we finally made it to Venice and I was wrapped in the beauty of the city. Leon thought that the city just looked old, but I considered it charming and wonderful.

Bonjourno Venezia!!

The canals were amazing. Lifting the stroller over each bridge, not so amazing.

Ah, Venice

I could not stop taking pictures

Here I am!! In the shade!! With the nuns.

This is his "Where is the stupid restaurant face"

The streets were filled with markets and vendors selling their treasures. I was surprised with how cheap it was. Well, considering we just came from Switzerland it seemed cheap. We headed straight to the grocery store to pick up some water because we knew that hydration is key to a successful day out with littles. I couldn't read the labels and accidentally bought some sparkling water. It was an utter fail. Then we went to find a restaurant that was recommended by the lady who helped us check in at our hotel. We walked around in the heat for over an hour trying to find this place. We found ourselves lost in the streets of Venice thirsty, hungry, and hot. Another utter fail. So, when we fail we just stop for gelatto.

Oh, the gelatto. The gelatto fixed everything, every little annoyance I was feeling in Italy was cured by my coconut gelatto. Jet was hilarious about my gelatto. The baby was seriously offended if the ice cream was not in his mouth at all times. He threw an epic fit if someone was not sharing with him. He must have just been so hot and miserable. At least he enjoyed the ice cream.

Happy baby

Gelatto mustache

Leon is loving it lol

We finally settled on a spot for lunch. It was nothing special, just a little pizza and pasta place far enough away from St Mark's square that I felt a little less touristy. I was so excited to taste my first Italian pizza I could have burst. And it did not disappoint. It was pure sasaugey, mushroomy, cheesy deliciousness. I enjoyed every single bite. We also ordered some spaghetti for the kids that was to die for. It might have been so good because I was just so hungry. Ellie also loved the spaghetti. She stripped down to keep clean and went to town. She used her fingers, her fork, and basically just inhaled the stuff. She even taught Jet how to eat pasta the Ellie way. He loved it.  

Yum.

After lunch/dinner we enjoyed more gelatto. We just loved on the gelatto all day. We both agreed by the time we left that we were gelattoed out. We explored hidden streets and fawned over charming canals. I explained to Ellie that the people of Venice used boats instead of cars. She thought that was very silly. For most of our day we were the only people on the little hidden streets and squares where we were exploring. Ellie had a blast running and climbing all over the city. I had a blast watching her. 

We even found ourselves in a grocery store (for more water) that sold inflatable dolphins. We obviously had to buy her one. She named it Goldie and walked around with it all day.

Oh its just Goldie

my own little square

Ellie and Daddy

The sweetest kiss

Just try to tell me this isn't to die for

After wondering around in the outskirts of the city, we finally decided to make our way to St Mark's square. We basically just followed the random people we found and made our way to the kind of overrated square. The basilica was an amazing byzantine style structure that stole the show. Unfortunately, it was closed so we could not make our way inside. We settled for feeding the pigeons and fighting off the solicitors.

I was shocked at how ruthless the street vendors were. A man literally grabbed Ellie's hand and put rice in it to feed the pigeons and then asked me for money. Lets just say he didn't get a penny. And I was fuming at his audacity to even touch my daughter without permission. These men were completely inappropriate. One handed my a rose and would not take it back. Leon had to just drop it and walk off. But other than that the ambiance of the square was so fun. Tourists filled the square and Italian street performers were everywhere. It was hard not to smile at the scene. We took a break near the water and the gondolas to just talk and rest our feet. The sun was setting and it was a beautiful sight.

The over priced gondolas

resting near the water

St Mark's Basilica

Feeding the Pigeons 

After fighting off street vendors, we exhausted our time in the square and made our way to Rialto Bridge. Apparently this is foodie heaven, but I think we missed out on all the fresh food. The bakery sure caught Ellie's eye though. It was full of Italian pastries and PINK doughnuts. Ellie just loves everything pink. She found lots of glass figurines she really liked too. I guess anything pink and sparkly catches that girls eye. It was so entertaining to walk through shops and see all the treasures of Venice. And the Italian food was tempting me at every corner.

Rialto Bridge

We decided to forego a gondola ride because it was too darn expensive, so we just took the water bus around the city. We snatched excellent seats in the back right as the sunlight was disappearing. It was quite romantic. There isn't any romantic fire that two littles can't seem to blow out. But I wouldn't trade having them there for the world. Ellie and Jet were so excited to be on a boat and I was grateful to get a second to rest my feet. Not to mention the views were cinematic. Restaurants were lit by gas lamps, lovers were cuddling on the waterfront, and the old romantic architecture was stealing my heart at every turn.

We ended the night rushing to catch the last train back to our hotel. We had no idea where we were going and we knew we were cutting it close. My clothes were sticking to my body and all four of us were covered in sweat. I was out of breath and my arms were shaking from the constant stroller lifting to cross the hundreds of bridges we crossed that day. We missed dinner and another opportunity for Italian pizza. We were all starving. But I went to Italy. I went to Italy with the loves of my life and I loved it. Every second.  

Leon and I on Rialto Bridge

Bern, Switzerland

Oh Switzerland, I love you.

This may have been my favorite stop all week. We left France by six am and realized that instead of a three hour drive, we had a six hour drive ahead of us. Not the best way to start a day, but both kids slept for the majority of the drive and watching the sunrise over the French countryside is in no way a bad start to a Sunday morning. It was a beautiful drive and I was enchanted with the old chateaus and the French farms. We almost ran out of gas and had to make a detour in a small town, where we picked up some bread and fresh cheese for breakfast.

After a long and beautiful drive, we pulled into Bern. It was warm and quiet. The city shut down for the sabbath and the quaint swiss streets were scattered with a tourist here and a tourist there. We hopped on the train and set off to see the city center. Our main purpose was to swim in the river, so we were glad for the heat that day. As the train crossed the bridge overlooking the river my jaw fell onto my lap. I had never seen water so blue. I had never seen mountains so green. I had never seen anything like Bern in my life. It was right out of a postcard and my eyes were glued.

We first stopped at the famous clock and walked through the streets down to the community swimming pool.

We are in Switzerland

The famous clock of Bern

Love him.

Bern river

Look at this water

The community pool in Bern was really nice. In fact, they had about four pools to choose from ranging from a little tots pool to an Olympic sized pool with diving boards and all. It was such a fun environment. People were filling the grass area playing games, having picnics, or just lounging around. The area was overshadowed by the enormous parliament building in the background and surrounded by the breathtaking river. Ah, it was just plain amazing. Leon took Ellie to swim and she had a blast in the kiddie pool. Jet even joined the fun. The only thing that we struggled with was Ellie stealing other peoples toys. The girl needed her some blow up toys. She especially loved the blow up dolphin the other kids were playing with. She would look at it longingly and try to follow it around the pool hoping it would become vacant. But we did our best by throwing her in the air and racing her to and fro to get her mind off it. I think it worked.

Daddy throwing Ellie high

Ellie wins again

Dad is always so much fun

Jet and Mom

When the kids had enough of the pool, I decided I needed to try out floating the river. The river had a strong current and I could see people exerting themselves trying to get out. But there were many sections that were specially made with handrails and steps to aid the swimmers as they entered and exited the water. The water was cold yet refreshing and the beauty of the mountains surrounding you as you floated quickly by was unmatched by anything in all the world. I just floated on my back and as my ears were submerged in the water, all I could hear was the rushing current, all I could see was the green mountains, and all I could feel was pure bliss. Leon and the kids were cheering for me as I floated which made me smile. They met me about a quarter mile down the river and Leon got a chance to jump in as well. It would have been fun to float together but the current was much too dangerous for the kids. So, they were happy just cheering us along. This was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I could have floated down the river for hours, just me and Switzerland.

My little cheerleader was very worried about me

Love this family of mine

It was getting late and we were all getting hungry. We got the opportunity to walk around a little while we looked for a place to eat. We settled on a spaghetti factory and grabbed some McDonalds for Ellie. The happy meal cost six franks which is basically six dollars. Talk about an expensive country. After dinner we went to visit the church and see where Albert Einstein used to live. Ellie found a water fountain that she loved drinking from. There were many interesting water fountains around europe, this might have been my favorite.

Jet and Daddy by the church

Ellie with her "Ellie" Smurf (Smurfette) from her Happy Meal earlier. She always photo bombs our pictures with her little figurine toys.

Albert's old digs

We made our way to a fountain on the other side of town. This allowed us to cross the bridge and take in the view that stole my heart when I first laid eyes on Bern. We watched as swimmers relaxed in the water and a tight rope walker practiced his talent. At the other side of the bridge was a beautiful fountain that Ellie naturally wanted to put her toes in. So as we were taking off our shoes to cool off our toes, we saw two other children begging to take a dip in the fountain as well. They ripped all their clothes off and ran around the fountain completely naked. I mean this little boy had to be around six or seven and he was literally stark naked in this fountain. So I told Elle if she wanted to swim she could as well but she had to keep her suit on lol. It was wonderful to just sit there with her and cuddle. What an adventure we were on and what amazing memories we were making.

Bern river

swimming in the fountain

Bern is also famous for its population of wild bears. Obviously Leon wanted to check this out, so off we went on our very own bear hunt. It turned into another stroll down the river. I couldn't help wanting to just jump in again, so I did. It was just as amazing and refreshing the second time. Leon and I took turns for about an hour as we walked down the river in search of the bear reserve. We never found it, but we did find a playground and some ice cream to cheer us up. 

Thats my little head popping up in the middle of the river

relaxing on my back

exiting the river

Elles was having such a hard time not being able to go in the river too, so we had to be sure to let her put her tootsies in too. 

Leon and Jet at the paddling pool near the playground

We headed back to our four star hotel and took warm baths and rested. We cuddled and watched Nomeo and Juliet in German. It was a beautiful day and I will forever be in love with Switzerland.