Remembering Our Summer Italian Vacation

Over the summer we spent 2-1/2 amazing weeks in Italy.  We mainly stayed in the region of Umbria.

We rented an apartment in the medieval hill town of Assisi.  It overlooked notable sites like the Church of San Rufino.  We would swim in the pool of our private roof top garden, picnic and eat outdoors,

….while listening to the beautiful sounds of church bells ringing, the soundtrack of our vacation.

During our vacation we stayed at an apartment with it’s own private roof top pool and garden. The beautiful sounds of Assisi, like church bells ringing, was the soundtrack of our vacation.

It’s funny because even if we visited all the major Italian tourist sites, like the Forum and Coliseum of Rome to the different Churches in Assisi, my favorite moments were the ones when we were doing untouristy things like, getting our wedding vows renewed in a tiny medieval church,

or pretending that zombies were following us through the medieval streets.

When you enjoy a vacation and a place in particular, it is like savoring a wonderful bite of food.  When I close my eyes I can still picture us walking the ancient streets and discovering Italy and our family.

Thanks for visiting! Ciao!

(In a future post watch out for our encounters with zombies and monsters in Italy….to be continued….)

Summer Vacation Plans: Traveling to Italy with Kids

Earlier this month news bureaus reported how a father and his 3-year-old son were kicked off an Alaskan Airlines flight because the child allegedly would not stay buckled in his seat.   After reading multiple reports, I have to agree with the father that the airlines overreacted.  The child eventually got buckled in yet Airline representatives still felt that the child was lying down a little too much rather than sitting upright.

Photo by Mark Yanchuk

Since that airline incident I have been thinking of our Italian vacation plans this summer.  The count down has now officially begun since we are leaving one month from now.  We have not yet packed, but I am trying to figure out how to fly with an energetic and very loud toddler (aka Rocco, age 2.5 years old).

I have toys, books, lollipops for bribes, I-pad, I-phone, activity books in my arsenal of distraction.  Benadryl does not make my kids sleep, it makes them hyper cranky so I am leaving that at home.

My secret weapon, which I hope will keep a feisty toddler from being able to run around the plane, is a Ride Safer travel vest made by Safe Traffic System Inc.   The vest has multiple belts that are supposed to keep the child safe and still.  What’s amazing is that I can use it as a car seat too!  If this vest works the way the testimonials say it will, then I will be one happy traveller. (My vest is still in the mail so I have yet to give a proper product review.)

I mentioned last year how a friend who travels often with her kids gave me the best advice.  She said if you get dirty and uncompassionate looks because your children act up, just tell yourself that you will never see the other passengers or people again, so why worry?

Of course, this is keeping in mind that you, as a parent, have done all things possible to keep your child calm, happy, quiet and satiated.  Still, I have adapted her flying mantra of, “I will never see these people again…”, just in case.

Bon voyage!  I hope you all have a wonderful vacation this summer!

Sleepless Nights Dreaming of Italy

For a change my kids are not the cause of my sleepless nights.  In fact they have been very good about their nighttime and morning routines.

My lack of sleep started on March 31, 2012 when we decided that we would go to Italy for our annual summer vacation. 

It has been over 4 years since our last European vacation so Michael and I are so excited about our break for this year.

Massimo was under a year old….

…and Rocco has only been as far as Canada so this trip will be a milestone for both.We are looking forward to seeing family, like Michael’s Zio Geo (Uncle Geo) in Italy.

Right now we have our flights purchased and our housing covered.  For the first part of our trip we rented an apartment in the ancient hill town of Assisi, Italy.

Assisi is where Michael’s Mom grew up and where Saint Francis found God and inspired many.

For the 2nd part of our trip we are staying in an agriturismo that has olive groves in the hills of Assisi, Italy.  Agriturismo’s are farms that are also bed and breakfast establishment.

The last few days of our vacation we will be going to stay in the outskirts of Rome, Italy so we can visit some sites like the Vatican, the catacombs and the Colosseum.

Our vacation is still in August, but I am counting the days till we leave.  It is so hard not to get distracted and excited all at once!  My nights have been restless because I keep on imagining the fun vacation that is instore for us.

Where are you going for your summer vacation?  Are you waiting in anticipation too?

Thank you for letting me share and have a wonderful day!

Will I Win a Cheap Ticket to Italy?

Earlier in the week I spoke about a childhood friend who died.  His death reminded me of how life is too short so we have decided to take a 2 week vacation to Italy.

Trying to book a cheap flight to Italy is like gambling.  I feel like when I plug in my information on the online websites that broker tickets, it’s like picking numbers in the million Dollar lottery.

It is quite stressful because the information changes every few minutes and the price differences can range from expensive to more expensive.

We are resolved to finding the perfect priced tickets for our family’s Italian vacation.

When the right number comes our way I realize that a quick decision has to be made.  Last week I was able to find 4 airline tickets that were $300 cheaper than the rate today.

Most airlines do not have kids rates so you have to factor them as having to pay full price fares.

After much deliberation and patience we finally bought our tickets today!  It’s official…our summer vacation will be a 2 week Italian extravaganza.

We will be spending some days in Rome, Assisi and an undecided Medieval or beach location.

Thank you for letting me share!  I will keep you guys posted!

Death and Deciding to Go on Vacation

I have a friend who died last week at the young age of 40 years old.

We first met when I was in 3rd grade.  For many years we were not in touch, but in the last couple of years Facebook reconnected us and a friendship was born again.

When someone passes away it is only natural to remember the past.  I kept on thinking how when I was in 3rd grade, and my friend was in 4th grade, our whole lives were in front of us.  You don’t think that you will be dying so young and having to say goodbye to all your friends and family.

My friend’s death has made me reflect on my life right now.  We work so hard, we try to be frugal and we are saving for the future, but  I was reminded once again how we also have to enjoy life today.  We need to seize the moment and grab opportunities.

Thank you Kirk for being a friend.  Thank you for making me realize that our family needs a vacation.  Have a safe trip to heaven!  I hope to see you there many, many years from now.

For our annual vacation 2012 we have decided to go to Italy!  Now I am going mad and obsessing about finding some cheap fares.  If you have any tips please pass them on!

Flying with the kids may be scary, but we are looking forward to it.

Thank you for letting me share and have a great day!