Roma

Venice, Italy

The Venetians were very happy to see us. They were complaining that no Americans were coming this summer because of the weak dollar. So, the kids were crazy into the place. They were just flipping out about the waterways being the streets. They were trying to comprehend how the buildings were standing....or were they just floating??? We camped on the mainland and took a little ferry in each day. We spent 2 days in the city and enjoyed every minute of it. So much to see, so little time, but we did our best.

More Venice....

There was just to many pictures for 1 post. So below is a typical visit to a church, museum, or anything. Pernille takes the 3 older kids (they're museum rats anyway) on a tour and they check out every little thing, and I take marcus outside to pee, chase birds, throw rocks, or whatever. It really works well and we all have a good time.

Parma, Italy

So we decide it would really be cool to see the famous Parma, since we all just love Parmesan cheese. We scouted out a little cheese factory, and they were really cool to give us a tour. We learned the difference between normal parmesan chese, and parmesano-reggiano. Parmesano-reggiano is made by hand and is never touched by machines. It's basically the same method and recipe that they've been using in the region for some 800 years! They're really picky about every detail and have very strict rules. A bit of technology tossed in the mix, but not much. It really was a highlight and a blast.(oh, and they didn't speak a lick of English, let alone Danish, but one guy had worked in a restaurant in Germany so between he and I and hands and feet, we did quite well and had fun) Bottom pic is our average dinner on the road, pasta, pesto, and parmesano-reggiano from our little buddies at the factory!!! The kids loved it.

Modena, Italy

So we decide to Stop by Modena since we're passing by and check out the Ferrari Museum. It was funny, because there was a big Harley Rally that pulled in to check out the Museum also. I don't know, Harley or Ferrari, you tell me?!??!?!? Anyway, it was a bit nerve racking having Marcus with, of course trying to climb into the Formula 1 cars. The little Museum Nazis had a close eye on him, but it was really cool. Carina put in an order for her 16th birthday. I told her to hold the order, we will later visit the "classic" VW museum, 1988 being a classic!!!!!

Cinque Terra, Italy

So Olpins tell us about this snazzy place called Cinque Terra and we decided to check it out. Whoa, are we ever glad we did!! It's actually a national park consisting of 5 cities that lay literally between the sea and the cliffs on the upper part of the Mediterranean. You can hike, bike, horseback, or take a small train to the different cities and just get lost in and between them. It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been in my life!! And the bald guy swimming next to the cliffs, not me, but I went back there at 6:30 the next morning alone and swam in that exact spot!! A bit dangerous for the kids, but it was amazing!!!
I think I loaded the wrong picture (Carina and Marcus), but it's kindof fun and shows how much fun we all have and some of our wacky pictures. Second to the bottom is Thomas catching the evening surf near the campground. He had never quite been in waves like that before. It was great. Oh, and thank goodness for railings on some of the "trails". I've got a few cliff divers in the group!!!

Pisa & Beach...Italy

We picked up Johanne in Pisa, and went to the tower the next day. It was amazing!!! I didn't realize you could go up!!! So yip, guess who stayed below, and yip, that's a pic of Pernille, Johanne, Carina, Thomas, and Hannah making their way to the top. They said it was pretty freaky! Beaches and sand are always a hit.