European Travel: Memories to Last a Lifetime!
The blog has been quiet lately…
2008 is starting out REALLY busy – and Jet With Kids is moving forward at an exciting pace!
Let me wrap up 2007 first…
I returned in December from my 10th trip to Europe! I have a tremendous amount of great information- everything from international flights with a 3 year old to vaporettos and strollers in Venice to the emotions of watching my child wave good-bye to Malta and Greece as we cruised out of the harbor and away from those countries. (while Andrea Bocelli sings Time To Say Good-Bye! Kleenex?)
To sum up our trip (will be posting more details and tips later):
We had great flights on United and Swiss Air and Swiss European Air flying from California to Chicago and onto Zurich and finally into Milan over the breath-taking Swiss Alps.
My son had a great time playing in the Zurich, Switzerland Airport’s huge, bright play room for kids – U.S. airports can learn from this one!
Welcome back to Italy- we went through customs in Milan and were on our way!
We began our trip in Verona and then on to beautiful Venice.
I did not realize how beautiful Venice is and how great all the bridges are.
And who could forget all the pigeons in St. Mark’s Square? Not my son! He loved them!
We left Venice on the 6 month old Costa Cruise Ship – Serena.
As the only Americans on this Italian ship of over 3,000 passengers, we heard mostly Italian, German, Spanish, and French for the week. It was fabulous!
Down the coast of Italy – stopping in Bari and moving on the next day to Corfu, Greece. Oh the memories. Have I mentioned that I used to live on a Greek island? Yes, the wonderful summer of ’95.
So it has been a while since I have been to Greece- and strange to be there now as a mother when the last time I was there I was a young, single gal. Oh how times have changed!
Leaving Greece we cruised to my favorite port -Valletta, Malta. Look closely at the globe – it is a tiny country located south of Sicily and east of Africa. What a wonderful place! I was able to meet and have a great conversation with the Director of Nursing of St. Paul Boffa Hospital – overlooking the beautiful harbor. Incredible!
The next port was Naples, but first we cruised through the small channel- leaving the Mediterranean and heading into the Tyrrhenian Sea between Sicily and the mainland of Italy. How spectacular to observe the small pilot boat guide the massive cruise ship through this narrow strip of water.
Naples was large, loud, and crazy. And I really was happy to have the peace of mind of Medjet Assist for my family! More on that later!
Incredible to be so close to Mt. Vesuvius -
Waking up on our last morning on the ship, we stood on our balcony overlooking the beautiful port of Savona. Was I dreaming? The coach ride from Savona to Milan was so incredible. Through the Italian Riveria- amazing scenery.
Arriving in Milan, we had some hours to spare- I thought- until we were able to get on an earlier flight to Frankfurt. Then we were rushed and before we knew it we were whisked away by Lufthansa to Germany.
We love Lufthansa!
Germany was fantastic as usual. We were able to visit my 97 year old grandma in her small German village in the Black Forest. Since my mom was visiting her, we were able to share some rare 4 generation moments.
Exploring more of Germany- I fell in love with the University city of Heidelberg, Germany.
We stayed in the center of old town and had a great time exploring. The castle that overlooks the city is easily accessible by Funicular Train
and my son had a fun time running through the large wide open lawns overlooking the river and city below.
And the park! Oh what a wonderful park in the Alt Stadt of Heidelberg!
One last night in Mainz, walking on the cobblestone streets, eating hearty German food in the cozy restaurants- yes, it was a trip that I will remember forever.
We covered all aspects of transportation- We were on 5 planes, 11 buses, 2 vaporettos, 10 trains, 5 taxis, 1 Funicular, and 1 Gondola during our 2 week trip.
So I am happy to share the tips, photos, and memories of this European trip with you. I hope to encourage and motivate you to live life – see the world and adjust the trip to fit your family.
Oh and sometimes people ask me why I “bother” taking my son along when he won’t remember being in Salzburg, Austria or running through the piazza in Rome as an 18 month old or as a 2 year old on a Double Decker bus in London or in a horse drawn carriage in Vienna or as a 3 year old eating gelato with a boy from Spain and one from France as we sail on an Italian ship to Malta and Greece! Don’t get me started on this one – but let me just say that Ihave wonderful memories of being with my child in these places. MY memories are mine forever – long after my little boy grows up!
Here are some of our memories from the past 3 years in Europe:
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