Our First European Trip with Kids (okay, one kid, but it counts!)

Chris and I have always loved to travel.  We decided a long time ago that when we have kids we don't want to stop traveling, we just want to take them with us.  Chris was able to take some time off work, my parents were willing to watch the twins and Abe was old enough to remember places so we decided now is the time.  We knew it would be different with him with us, but we also knew it would be some good one-on-one time and that we would make some wonderful memories.  

Our style of traveling is simple. See as many places as possible and each person is allowed one backpack.  The rules didn't change with Abe. We packed our backpacks and we were off! Our original plans were to go to Turkey then Germany but at the last minute plans changed and our itinerary changed from Turkey to Italy. We were off... First up, Milan!

Taking the train from the airport to the city. Abe was a great traveler!

Our first stop in Milan was to see "The Last Supper." It was pretty spectacular. We thought it was perfect timing because we had just finished celebrating Easter and Abe had been learning all about the events leading up to the resurrection in school.  He knew what the bread and wine represented, who Judas was, and why he was holding money.

In front of the beautiful Duomo cathedral.

Then we boarded another train and a boat and toured the city of Bellagio on Lake Como. Even though it was cold and there were no George Clooney sightings (he has a house on Lake Como) it was the perfect Italian city.

Bellagio on Lake Como

The story of Pinocchio originated in Florence, Italy so these puppets were everywhere. Of course Abe pulled them all to watch them move. 

Our first Italian meal of pizza and spaghetti of course!

Yum! Eating wasn't a problem for Abe in Italy!

I loved this colorful pasta. I wanted to bring some home but I was afraid it would smash in the backpack!

A quaint street in Bellagio.

We quickly learned when you are traveling with kids and you see a park, you stop to play!

Abe's favorite Italian meal... gnocchi! 

The next morning we boarded our next train and headed to Rome.  When we arrived and dropped off our bags we set out on a walking tour of the city to see some of the important sights. Chris was in heaven. Abe and I were just looking for gelato! 

We learned that these fountains which were all over the city had fresh, cold water. Perfect for filling up our water bottles.

In front of the Pantheon. Abe wasn't to sure of the performing clown.

Inside the Pantheon

Taking a gelato break! One of many...

The next morning Chris let us sleep in a bit after walking ALL around the city, treated us to a yummy breakfast and then we set off for the Colosseum.

You have to have a cannoli when you are in Italy! Delicious!

When we got to the Colosseum, Chris and I were trying to be content with just seeing it from the outside. There were only two ways to get inside. Either stand in a 2 1/2 hour line or take an hour long guided tour.  None of which we thought Abe would do. Then we decided we are only here once and we needed to go inside. We chose the tour.  To our surprise, Abe did great! We gave him one toy and he was as happy as a clam.

My favorite picture of the whole trip! 

Abe (and Chris) enduring the guided tour. 

We made it inside!!

Abe will be happy if he doesn't see anymore ruins for quite awhile. He's happy here because he knows what awaits him...

His gelato treat!

The next morning, we had an afternoon train to catch so we woke up early and headed to the Vatican so we would miss the lines. Our plan worked! There were only a hand full of people there and it was beautiful to watch the sun rise over Vatican City.

Outside St. Peter's Basilica

Beautiful morning at Vatican City

Inside the Basilica. It was amazing!

On the way back to the hotel to grab our bags Abe had to stop at this fountain because you could "get inside." So fun!

We were off to our third and final city in Italy... Venice! This was my most favorite city of our entire trip. It was such a unique and different city. There are no cars, just boats! You took water taxis everywhere. I loved it!

Outside the train station in Venice

Venice is famous for their masks. They are everywhere and Abe was in heaven!

On one of our many water taxi rides. 

Being serenaded at lunch. Perfect! 

Being silly in front of the faces made out of pizza dough. 

Of course while you are in Venice, you have to splurge on a gondola ride and we are so glad we did. We found a gondolier who took us on a great route and gave us some interesting facts about Venice on our ride.

In front of the Rialto Bridge. The first bridge in Venice (1591).

Abe loved the gondola ride!

I love that our gondolier is waving in this picture!

After we finished our last Italian meal of spaghetti and lasagna, we boarded a night train. If you asked Abe his favorite part of our entire trip he would give you two answers. This is his #2. He loved sleeping on this train. He was so giddy!

Boarding the sleeper train

In our cozy room with three tiny bunk beds. But it was perfect for us! 

Next stop... Germany!