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…
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Venice, Italy – The thing about Venice is that there is an abundance of magnificent churches and Renaissance paintings. The twins love art and architecture as much as the next 8-year-old, but… this isn’t exactly their genre. But that’s what…
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Venice, Italy – If I were independently wealthy, I would buy a palazzo on the Grand Canal and use it to house my fabulous collection of modern art and to entertain my artist friends. There is so much to love…
Vis Island Ferry
Split, Croatia – Day 2 of this adventure was definitely better than Day 1. The 14 hours of catch-up sleep helped a LOT (10 for the parents), as did ending the day in this spectacular place. (Photo taken from the…
Have sketchbook, will travel
Boston, Mass – We used to be regulars at the Museum of Fine Arts. You know, back when the twins didn’t go to school and I was always looking for things to do with them. (Read about some of our…
World Landmarks Project
Somerville, Mass – V’s class is doing a world landmarks project. Each kid chose a landmark building or geographical feature to learn about and create a model of. For some reason, V decided he might choose Machu Picchu for his…
Takashi Murakami at the MFA
Boston, Mass – We don’t get to the Museum of Fine Arts as much as we used to. But as soon as I learned we could see the whimsical flowers created by Takashi Murakami at the MFA, I knew I…
Heidelberg Project
Detroit, Michigan – Sometimes, out of poverty and desperation comes creativity and inspiration. This idea is at the foundation of the revitalization of Detroit. And no place embodies it more than Heidelberg, a devastated street on the city’s east side.…
Sammallahdenmäki
Rauma, Finland – Did you get the title of this post? Sammallahdenmäki. Easy, right? It is a Bronze Age burial site in the midst of the Finnish forest. And if you’re not sure when the Bronze Age is… oh, it’s…
Villa Mairea
Pori, Finland – Alvar and Aino Aalto designed the spectacular Villa Mairea for Harry and Marie Gullichsen, of the industrialist philanthropist Ahlström family. (This should definitely be part of the Alvar Aalto Tour of Finland, if one had unlimited time.)…