Seeing Family and Friends in Europe - Lynette


After almost two months traveling on our own, we've been enjoying time with family and friends in Europe.  


Serbia

Following our week in Rome, we took an unexpected side trip to Belgrade, Serbia to spend a week with my brother-in-law and nephew.  It was a fantastic opportunity to see a little bit of Eastern Europe and get a great visit with Aca and Luca.  The kids added Eastern Orthodox to the collection of houses of worship they've seen around the world (Buddhist, Taoist, Shinto, Roman Catholic, and Jewish).  We explored Belgrade, enjoyed the cafe life along the river, hiked in the hills outside the city, and gave Peyton the chance to try water skiing on a pulley system with his cousin.  We've seen a number of cities where people clearly love their dogs, but Belgrade was the only one where dogs were happily running free throughout the many parks.




Water skiing
Amazing Serbian feast

Northern Italy Part I
We flew from Serbia to Milan and then drove about an hour and a half west to the town of Ornavasso for a week with my friend Cathy.  Unfortunately, I spent this week sick in bed, so I'll leave the narrative here. Part II was much better!

Geneva
We drove through a beautiful mountain pass from Ornavasso to Geneva with Cathy and thankfully, I finally started feeling better and enjoyed life upright and eating food again.  

Continuing on the family tour - we had a chance to see both my Uncle Bill and my Aunt Carole in Geneva.

Bill drove to Geneva to spend time with us.  We enjoyed wonderful meals together along with a driving tour around the city.  Thank you, Bill!

We were surprised to get an opportunity to see my Aunt Carole since she lives in Capetown, South Africa.  However, she was in Geneva with her partner Jim and we were lucky to be able to connect for coffee.   

We stayed with my friend Nalinee in Geneva and had a fantastic time visiting, playing an awesome array of games, and exploring Geneva. The kids loved the beaches, pools and obstacle courses right along the lake and mom loved the excellent gelato.  Everyone loved Nalinee's cooking!    
 





We took a great day trip with a train ride to Montreux and a fun exploration of the Chateau de Chillon.  






The kids added an additional country to the list with a beautiful hike up in the mountains of France with Cathy.  Luckily, no yodeling, but Talia had to suffer through 'The hills are alive, with the sound of music' from me (I know it's the wrong country).  




Northern Italy Part II
After a week in Geneva, we drove back through the Mont Blanc tunnel and past a glacier for a second pass at enjoying Ornavasso, Italy with Cathy.  It was a completely different experience for me and a wonderful time enjoying visiting with Cathy and exploring the mountains and lakes of Northern Italy.  We hiked up in the mountains, swam in the lake, explored a couple islands, swam in a thermal spring, and (highlight of the trip for me) spent a day on a via ferrata.  I'm sure one of the kids (probably Peyton) will do a whole blog on the via ferrata, so I'll let him explain it and just include some pictures here.    
 
View from Cathy's house
Street in Ornavasso


View from the thermal baths


Exploring the islands in Lago Maggiore










Extra bonus - we got a chance to see Milan and the Duomo (cathedral) from both the inside and the rooftop. Adding a massive cathedral to yet more of the incredible array of religious structures the kids have seen on this trip. The Catholic sculptures inside definitely take the cake on gruesome routes to martyrdom. 






At the shopping arcade next to the Duomo, legend has it that if you put your heel on the balls of the bull and turn around three times, your wish will be granted.  Worth a try... The mosaic is indented at least an inch and has had to be replaced multiple times.  Who starts a legend like this?  















Thank you so much to all our family and friends we had the opportunity to visit!  We're so glad we had this time with you!

Comments

  1. nalineeJuly 14, 2024 at 12:27 AM

    those hiking pictures are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MomJuly 14, 2024 at 6:03 PM

    Great stuff! Thanks so much for the pictures and words.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Denise TJuly 15, 2024 at 5:30 PM

    Sounds fun to see various relatives and friends there!

    ReplyDelete
  4. MandyJuly 19, 2024 at 7:13 AM

    Wow, amazing photos and awesome that you had so many people to hook up with! Uncle Bill took me to the same chateau, I thought you were going to say he's the one who took you!

    ReplyDelete

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