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.
Cycling the 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…
Ravintola Savoy
Helsinki, Finland – View from the rooftop terrace at the Ravintola Savoy in Helsinki, where we are celebrating our last day in Finland. Kippis! This restaurant is another Alvar Aalto masterpiece and it’s a beaut. Most impressively, we brought our…
Archipelago Trail
Korpo, Finland – Daddio and I cycled a piece of the glorious Archipelago Trail. This 230km circular route traverses the Turku Archipelago, starting and ending at the old capital. Cycling is on smooth country roads that provide glimpses of fields…
Lohilaakso Fish Restaurant
Kalajoki, Finland – If you like the idea of sitting at a pond-side picnic table and feasting on freshly smoked salmon that you caught yourself, here is a place that you can do it. Even if you don’t know how…
Lapland Specialties
Kalajoki, Finland – This is as far north as we’re going to get on this trip. So this is my best chance to sample some Lapland specialties at Ravintola Pihvitupa. We started with smoked reindeer soup, followed by Finnish squeaky…
Mariehamn Maritime Quarter
Mariehamn, Finland – The capital of Åland, Mariehamn is a seafarer’s paradise. The waterside Mariehamn Maritime Quarter has long been a center of boat building. Nowadays, the atmospheric quay has ship-building workshops alongside art galleries, cafes and local boutiques. You…