St Clair Shores, Michigan – The twins are kicking off their summer in Michigan this year. We usually come in August, which is prime Michigan summer. But this year the grandparents are going to be away in August. Plus we…
Murano
Venice, Italy – The glassmakers’ workshop in Murano was obviously a hit with the twins, because: fire. (Twin S now asking for a blowtorch for Christmas.) But there’s more fun to be had on the island of Murano. We didn’t…
Highs & Lows in Naples
Naples, Italy – So much for the gorgeous Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri. We won’t be seeing them. There’s a hurricane hitting Italy at the moment, so we went inside. In Naples. Actually, we went underground. Napoli Sottoterranea,…
Sorrento Specialties
Sorrento, Italy – Sampling the local food specialties is such an important part of learning about a culture. Lucky for us, the Sorrento specialties happen to be desserts. So be it! Yes, my family was cursing as I dragged them…
Parque de El Retiro
Madrid, Spain – Number one priority for a weekend in Madrid? Sunday afternoon in Parque de El Retiro. This was a fabulous (free!) afternoon. We packed a picnic and spent our time exploring the park, playing at the playground, and…
Campo Santa Maria Formosa
Venice, Italy – This is actually the second time we have spent a semester in Venice. The first time was a lifetime ago, before twins, in 2008. It was so long ago that I had a different blog back then.…
And so it begins…
Venice, Italy – We’re easing into this “world schooling” thing. Here is our first day of school at our local cafe and favorite place to hang out, Serra dei Giardini.
Battle Road
Concord, Mass – On April 19, 1775, the first skirmish of the American Revolution took place at dawn on Lexington Green. Afterwards, British soldiers marched to Concord, where they faced a militia of Minute Men, who eventually chased them back…
Exploring Rostov-on-Don
Rostov-on-Don, Russia – Set along its storied namesake river, Rostov-on-Don is a geographic crossroads, standing at the historical border between Asian and European cultures and acting as a modern gateway between the Northern Caucasus and the Black Sea coast. It’s…
Sochi: Russia’s Black Sea Playground
Sochi, Russia – Prior to its 2014 debut on the world stage, Sochi was celebrated in Russia for its sunny skies and balmy temperatures, which attracted privileged Party members to seaside sanatoria. Even Comrade Stalin had a vacation home near…