Bolzano, South Tyrol – Often rated among the best Christmas markets in Italy, the Bolzano market is festive, with arts and crafts, ice skating and–of course–mulled wine. We didn’t love it as much as the charming night market at Lago…
Christmas Market in Lago di Carezza
Nova Levante, South Tyrol – The charming Christmas market at Lago di Carezza is a true festival of lights, with lanterns, bonfires and artistic displays surrounding a lovely moonlit lake. Also, mulled wine. #ChristmasintheAlps
Carezza Ski
Nova Levante, South Tyrol – Two years ago we had a (sort of) successful first attempt at skiing. I vowed to take the twins skiing more often, so they might learn to love this sport, and by association, winter itself.…
Winter “Fun” Festival
Venice, Italy – There’s nothing like a street fair in a foreign country to give a mum a little culture shock. Check out the winter fun festival on the Riva degli Schiavoni. No seat belts, folks! And in the next…
Gallerie dell’Accademia
Venice, Italy – Now I know what teachers feel like in the last week before summer vacation. We’ve reached the point where I’m ready to take field trips pretty much everyday. Honestly, nothing else is going to get accomplished here.…
Christmas season in Bologna
Bologna, Italy – We took our guest to Bologna to eat tortellini. We didn’t choose our restaurant well, though, and we were all disappointed with our lunch. Fortunately, there are a few other things going on during Christmas season in…
San Giorgio Maggiore
Venice, Italy – Rumor has it that the view from the campanile at San Giorgio Maggiore is even better than from the one at San Marco, as you can see the entirety of Venice in one fell swoop. It was…
Venetian Lion
Venice, Italy – Obligatory photo on the lion at Piazza San Marco. And yes, a guard did reprimand us for spending too much time on the lion. “You can take one photo, but then he has to get off.”
Palazzo Ducale
Venice, Italy – Now that it’s December, the tourists are gone (except for us!), the Venetians are friendlier and it’s safe to go to Piazza San Marco. We took our visitors to the Palazzo Ducale–the Doge’s Palace–for a primer on…
Venice Naval History Museum
Venice, Italy – The Museo Storico Navale–aka the Naval History Museum–is approximately two minutes away from our apartment. And there is a giant anchor out front marking the entrance. We walk by it nearly everyday. I can’t believe it took…