When we sold our house and stuff to travel for a year, we went to Europe. It’s the place we know best after the United States. Then we went back and spent another three months exploring the UK and continental Europe. We’ve even made plans for another two months in winter 2019-20. Suffice to say, we love Europe and it’s so easy to travel there.
Since we spend a month at a time in each location, we get the chance to know our destinations pretty well. We’d love to help you plan your trip.
While the Cinque Terre would be a lovely romantic getaway or solo adventure, visiting Cinque Terre with kids is also a perfect family holiday. This area is part of the Italian Riviera made up of five towns. At one point the Cinque Terre villages were isolated from the rest of Italy except via the sea …
Books Set in Italy Last month I started my online book club and asked for your recommendations for books set in Italy. I want to get your input on your favorite reads set in places we are visiting. I am mostly looking for fiction or creative nonfiction. While I love travelogues, I don’t need guidebooks. I want to …
We recently learned a little about Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence, Italy by watching videos, visiting the dome, and checking out a 1/5 model of il Duomo’s Dome.
There are so many things to do in Florence with kids that it was hard to narrow it down to five. We visited lots of museums and cathedrals, which the kids mostly enjoyed, but these are some of their highlights thus far. If you don’t have a month to spend in Florence, like we did, take …
When you come to Florence, Italy you have to see certain pieces of art. The David, Primavera, and the frescoes in the Cathedral of Santa Maria del fiore are essenziale. We’ve loved those, in fact, some of them made our list of must-see museums in Firenze, but we have also been delighted to stumble upon Florence …
Day Hike Near Florence, Italy This week we took a day hike near Florence along the Stonemasons and Leonardo Trail—part of the Renaissance Ring (Anello del Rinascimento). The Renaissance Ring is a trail that circles Florence. It wanders through the countryside– in natural areas, past points of historical interest, along the Old Florence Road, and …
We’ve been in Florence, Italy for almost a week now. It has been almost three weeks since we sold our house. It went by so quickly. I think this year abroad will be the same way. My first impression of Firenze (Finn said we should use the name the locals use – good advice) is that …
I’ve been visiting the Safari Park since 1980, back when it was called the “Wild Animal Park.” My grandparents moved to Escondido then and took us a couple times. Once I had kids of my own, I was anxious to show them the “wild zoo” I loved as a kid. We toured the park for …
For details on planning your own whale watching tour with Dana Wharf Whale Watching, scroll down. Whale Watching We stood on the deck of the boat, peering into the Pacific Ocean, cameras at the ready. The captain announced a gray whale was spotted at 1:00 and everyone moved to the starboard side of the boat …
We’re almost home in Death Valley. About an hour before dawn each morning, the coyotes go nuts. Yipping, howling, and singing the sun awake. An owl joins in with its “hoo hooo!,” helping drag the day into existence. I step out of our camper leaving my two boys asleep and enjoy the coolness of a …
TravelingMel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
