For the second half of our trip we stepped up our adventure game, which isn't so easy to do with four kids under five but they were really troopers on this trip. The only thing I scratched off our list was hiking the Partrach Gorge. I hear it is amazing but also quite grueling for toddlers. I will put it first on my list when we return to this amazing country.
June 21 Garmish Parterkirchen and visit up the
Zugspitze
Garmisch Partenkirchen was actually two towns which combined for the winter Olympics in 1936. This place is not only a winter wonderland but bustles with activity all year round. The quaint little buildings with the incredible frescos just continued to amaze me at every turn. As for the Zugspitze, you can get up to the highest mountain in Germany (9,731 feet) either by a two hour train ride from Garmish or a ten minute cable car ride in Eibsee. No need to guess which one a lady with six kids picked. It was an amazing ten minutes. We were sweating our butts off in the Summer sun at the base and quickly put on our winter gear when we reached the top in order to have snow ball fights and go sledding.
I should mention that Carlos picked an American flag as his souvenir from the day before at the castles and brought it on our excursion up the mountain. Without any one telling him to he said he was going to plant his flag on the top of the mountain. I don't think I've seen him look prouder than when he claimed the Zugspitze as part of America. We left it there to document our capture of the mountain.
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| Note Carlos with his flag |
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| Love me my maypoles |
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| We spotted the perfect lunch spot in Garmish after our day in the snow. |
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| Nothing says, " I just went sledding " like eating ice cream in our t shirts |
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| Looks pretty cute for his first snow experience |
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| Garmish's may pole |
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| I didn't think a pharmacy could be so cute until... |
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| I saw the next one. It's no CVS |
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The sites were made even more spectacular with a little smile from my Beau
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June 22 Linderhof Castle, Garmish, Sommerodelbahn
Arrive in Munich VRBO Property 491992 Dachauer Strasse 70
Schloss Linderhof high in the Alps was the first of King Ludwig's castles and the only one that was actually ever completed. For anyone who has been to Versaille,you will see that it pays homage to the Sun King and has rooms that are an exact replica of the rooms at the French Palace except there is running water and toilets in this one. The hall of mirrors here is even grandeur than Versaille's if you ask me. But the real over the top piece was the man made Venus grotto that he created. Because the composer Wagner was his best bud, he created a shell shaped boat he would be pulled around in while listening to the music his friend composed.
To entertain the little ones we have always tried to imitate statues we find in museums and castles. I have several of the older kids in France and now I have Mike and the little ones copying the fountain at the steps of Linderhof.
The actual statue in case you couldn't tell the difference
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| Front door decorations |
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| The Venus grotto |
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| Trips pose in front of Triton's fountain |
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| Poser |
What better way to follow up a castle than to luge down about 6000 feet in 2 minutes. At first we used the brakes but the attendant told us it was much funner when we didn't. Even though the luges went up to the edge we all survived and were a bit exhilarated.
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| One of several trips down the luge |
After a long day of hiking through the hot streets of Garmish, playing in the snow on the Zugspitze and luging down the hills of the Sommerrodelbahn we cruised into our apartment in Munich. My troopers didn't let me down and we took off immediately to acquaint ourselves with the city.
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The site of Eddy the Eagle's Olympics
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| Every treat sold at the bottom. We tried most |
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| I'm lucky to have trips that love to be photographed |
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| The Hoffbrauhaus ... |
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| Was cute inside and out... |
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| And loud. |
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| The Ratskeller in the Marienplatz |
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| The clock tower was as amazing as they come |
June 23-26 Munich and Return trip to Salzburg
Being in Munich was such a change after being in the countryside for so long. Our apartment was across the street from a supermarket and several restaurants and it was a great pleasure to do laundry.
Our first full day we spent touring the royal Residenz which was begun in 1363. The kids always like the royal gardens and my favorite room was the Antiquarium hall, the largest Renaissance interior north of the Alps. Bigger than the hall of mirrors at both Versaille and any of Ludwig's castles. It was built to house the art collection of the royals and could easily be three football fields long. Oh, and don't even get me started on the royal jewels.
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| The Antiquarium |
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| A statue of Nico at the hall of the Antiquarium |
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| Just another room to hang out in |
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| The least expensive thing in the royal vault |
After a morning of visiting with royalty, I thought a tour of the Viktualienmarkt might be nice. Food porn galore here. Everything tastes better from here.
At night we headed over to the English Garden to see the surfers hanging ten on the river in a landlocked city. You would see surfers in the subway. They did not disappoint. We went to the China Garten to have dinner where there were about 1000 people sitting around with the same idea. The food was delicious especially the pretzels that were larger than your face. If you don't believe me see below.
The kids spent the night playing at the cutest park next to the garden and got to ride this carousel that has been functioning since 1913. When it first began, two men under the carousel pushed it around all day long for the high salary of two cents a day. It's a bit more modern now; four guys for a buck I believe. Whatever the facts, the kids liked it a lot.
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| Carousel running since 1913. Gigi approved. |
On our way home we saw, what I believe to be, the entire city lounging throughout the park. I had to put some visors on Golden because hear in Munich, clothing is optional when taking a dip or relaxing on your towel while you soak up the summer.
On the 25th we just had to make it back to Salzburg to tour the town. I think the city was just too overwhelming and we needed some more fresh air. Austria did not disappoint. I was in love with the store signs. They were all small pieces of art that just enticed me in.
On the way back to Munich, we also had to stop at Lake Chiemsee again to take in the beauty of the mountains.
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| I think Eva's face sums up this trip |
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| My son did not disappoint in the showoff category |
I loved the architecture of Munich. Every turn was a photo op or a historical monument.
No trip to Munich would be complete without a trip to the BMW museum either. Mike was so sad that I had not surprised him with a new car. Maybe next time sweety.
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| Golden's choice for his car. |
Olympiapark was next door to the museum and it was jumping with activity.
June 26 Train to Venice. 874 Rio Marin Santa Croce, Venezia Airbnb Elena Amici
If you are looking for a trip that will be a visual attack of your senses, take the train from Munich to Venice. The landscape though always beautiful would slowly change from cute little cottages with local Biergartens, to terra-cotta homes surrounded by vineyards as far as the eye could see. You leave the Alps behind and catch a glimpse of the Dolomites. And did I mention castles. Too many to count. I rarely put my camera down. Once in Venice, the beauty only multiplied. This city does something to me. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I could imagine that life 200, even 500 years ago, did not look much different in this city. It's a living, breathing museum. I suppose that each year it sinks a little bit which makes me that much more grateful each time I can make it back and now to be able to show it to our children. The apartment we stayed at belonged to the lovely Francesco and Elena Amici. These two may have been a highlight of the trip with just their personalities but also with their amazing apartment we got to stay in. Francesco, a local artist, had his work throughout the house and you know that I had to take some home with me so as I could always remember this magical time.
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| castles, castles, castles |
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| It was nice to ride and watch the view with these kiddos |
On arrival to Venice we walked to our apartment. The first view from the train station with the golden light hitting the cupula set the tone for the trip's conclusion.
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The balconies in the two kids room and living room had views of the canal
The apartment was a delight. The kids enjoyed looking out the window at the boats and gondolas passing by and would shout, "Ciao bella!" to the pedestrians and motorists.
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| The library had a grand selection of books at our disposal |
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If Mike looks less than thrilled here it was because he was busy passing a kidney stone
My poor husband began passing a kidney stone on the train to Venice. Even though he described the pain as someone covering his mouth and nose while they repeatedly stabbed him with an ice pick, he managed to not cry and even carried our bags to the apartment from the train station. We did end up having to go to the Venetian ER the day before we left and he received hydration and imaging that showed the kidney had past. He was amazing, managing to tag along to as many sites as he could without passing out. I am happy to say that Rosetta Stone was amazing. My Italian not only fed us, but got us through the whole hospital experience.
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| One of the souvenirs I couldn't leave without |
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| The master bedroom with views of the garden |
June 26-29 Venice
No matter how many times I return, I am amazed at the colors and beauty of this city that no camera could ever do justice to.
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| View down our street. Our apartment is the green shutters on the right |
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| Our front door |
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| View from the other side of our street |
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| The garden grows |
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| Beau takes a rest as I gather herbs for dinner |
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| A Venetian garage door |
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| Entrance to the Doge's palace |
Everyone falls in love with Venice when they arrive. When Napoleon came he said, "It's beautiful now tear those buildings down and connect the piazza." The middle building in the back is called the Napoleon building of Piazza San Marco
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| In the morning before the crowds I snuck out with my girls |
The four horses of the apocolypse atop the basilica were looted from the siege of Constantinople. I suppose you are allowed to show off what you steal if you put it on a church.
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| This clock tower still functions, I love the blues. |
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| The gates to the bell tower are rarely seen if you don't come early. Two works of art in this shot |
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| A normal day on the Grand Canal |
There used to be 7,000 gondolas in Venice, now there are less than 400. They cost $50,000 and are handmade from a number of woods. The society of gondoliers guards the secret formula to the unique black paint that makes these works so beautiful.I tried to photograph all 400 boats.
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| Beau's favorite souvenir |
This is the bridge of sighs. It is the bridge the connects the Doge's palace with the prison. The prisoners were sentenced in the palace and then crossed over, likely to their deaths in the prison, with only one last look (and a sigh) at the city from those windows. Thus, the bridge of sighs. The last time I photographed this bridge it was with a real film that I developed and created my own picture in a dark room. How times have changed. I went back several times to capture this scene. Still can't figure out my favorite shot.
The Italian government is trying to do away with people feeding the pigeons at Piazza San Marco. It is a bit of a health issue and also a pick pocket issue when the crowds gather. My kids could not be dissuaded from feeding the flying Italian rats and I couldn't deny them this happy moment. Just look at those faces.
Do not worry. All children were disinfected in a very thorough Cuban cleaning ritual after this.
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| All kids were in on the fun |
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| I like the gondola parking sign |
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| Proud of this boy who practiced his German and Italian when ordering food.World traveler |
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| "Mom take a picture of me and this door." |
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| Doorways of Venice |
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| We stopped for gelato on multiple steps throughout the city. |
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| a taxi ride home |
On our last night we thought we would take in San Marco one last time. We had no intention of eating here but with the band playing and the sun setting we couldn't resist. To our surprise the food and the service were amazing.It was like eating on a movie set.
The waiter made the kids night when he brought over a water sprayer. At first, we didn't know it's purpose so he demonstrated by spraying the pigeons away from the table. It was hilarious and the kids took turns and had great aim. Mike's face captured this moment perfectly. A wonderful last meal of an equally wonderful vacation.
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| Our last view of the Piazza before heading out |
Farewell Venice. Until we meet again.
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| La mia familia |
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| Gigi meditates over her day |
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| Arriving home in the evening never looked so romantic |
The next day we headed to the airport, how else, but by boat. What a great adventure to dock at the terminal.
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| Arriving to the airport in quite a unique and unforgettable fashion |
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| Hot stuff. Ciao! |
We arrived home and were greeted with a houseful of cousins.We took out our German pretzel float and got down to serious down time.
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| There may have been some serious jet lag |
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| Creepy water goggle eyes |
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| Triplet surfing anyone |
It was an amazing trip but I have to say it wasn't painful to come home when your home is a paradise in itself. I count my blessings hourly lately and my family and home are always top of the list.
The locations are always a perk but it's sharing memories with them that always leaves me smiling when I look back on those moments. It's just fun to share them in so many languages.
July 4th
Time to get together and be thankful for all the blessings this country allows us so we can live and worship the way we choose,with those we love. I'm grateful for the flag colors too. My kids couldn't look cuter.
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| The crew gets ready for July 4th |
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| July 4th Florida style |
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| Chapman/Harris smile-a-thon. Carlos lost. |
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God Bless!
Adios. Au Revoir.Good bye. Arrivadercci. Auf Wiedersehen. |
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