Spring Break ~ Disneyland Paris

The European school schedule is terrific!  With two weeks off for spring break, we were happy to plan another adventure. The Smiths weren't sick of us yet, so off to Disney we went.  I am often asked why we have gone to Disney more than once since arriving here (most people only go once, if they even go, and find it a disappointment compared to the US parks.)  Disney is just one of those places that makes me happy.  Sure, the food is terrible, the crowds are thick, and there is always a big ride that isn't working….but….it still makes me happy.  I have loved Mickey all my life, so leave me alone.  

I. love. Disney. :)

Sunny skies and warm temps!  Hooray!!!

A little parade goes down Main Street each day.  In the spring, it was an Easter/spring parade.  

With Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom side by side, it is easy to go from park to park.

Back to Magic Kingdom!

I have tried to book a room at the Marriott for each trip we have taken to Disney.  They finally had availability!!

We had our own little townhouse.  So cute!

The beautiful pool and grounds!

The kids were so excited to swim outdoors, but the water was SO COLD!

The indoor pool was much better.

That evening, we went back to the parks and had dinner at the Blue Lagoon Restaurant.  This warm and cozy restaurant is located inside Pirates of the Caribbean.  People in the boats wave as they go by.  Fun stuff!  It is one of the better meals I have had at Disneyland Paris, but it's still not great.

Having a blast on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

The French names of the rides crack me up.

Time for the fireworks show Disney Dreams!

Most of the people sat down to watch the show.  It's so much more enjoyable when you can actually relax and see.  There was that one exception…the rude lady in front of Karin who would not sit down.  There is always one!

Back to the parks the next morning. Flat Sophie and Flat Sawyer were along for the fun.

The flying carpets with Sawyer while the others rode the Hollywood Tower.  Sawyer is not a fan of big rides.

Good thing the kids can ride alone.  Ten minutes vs. ninety minutes…yes please!

A sweet heart from my sweet boy at the Lego Store.

I love It's a Small World!  The kids do not.

Come on kids!  This is fun! :)

It's even more fun when you have been lucky enough to travel to so many of the places.

This is for you Claire!

Whoo hoo!!!

I don't think Garrett was ready. Hahaha!

Driving!!

My 12 year old has a giant foot.

Stroller/Dad parking.  Stick a fork in him….

Au revoir Disneyland Paris.  I have no doubt we will see you again soon! 

Until next time,

Wendy

Spring Break 2015 - Verona, Italy

On Wednesday morning, the dads headed back to Belgium.  Unfortunately, being on the US payroll means very few vacation days.  We were thankful they didn't mind that we stayed for the rest of the week.  Okay, they might have minded a bit.

Chris soaked up the last bit of Italian sun and the amazing view.

What should we do the rest of the week??  I really wanted to visit Verona.  Why?  Didn't you see Letters to Juliet?  Verona looked magical in that movie.  Since we were this close, I didn't feel like we could skip it.  In 2.5 hours, we arrived!

Piazza Brà was impressive!  It is wider than other piazzas we have seen.  Cars are no longer allowed to drive through here, so it is a wonderful pedestrian area.

There is a Roman amphitheater right in the middle of the city!  It dates back to the first century.  It is now half as tall as it was when it was  built.

Thanks to the trusty Book of Rick...we started a walking tour from his Italy book.  It was very informative and free!  Yours truly was the narrator.  I'm sure my kids were thrilled.....

That sun was a little bright for these folks who aren't used to bright sunshine in Belgium.

Below is the main entrance to Roman Verona.  Back in the day, this was a toll booth.  

Look closely...Thomas and Allison are standing in the arches.

Right outside the gate, and between two tables at a cafe, is a tombstone.  The roads outside the city used to be lined with tombstones because burials were not allowed in the city.

Piazza Erbe

Verona was nicknamed "the painted city" because Renaissance nobles showed off by finely painting their facades on their palaces.  Some paintings can still be seen today.

There has been a fountain bubbling in this piazza for 2,000 years.

The House of Juliet

It has never been proved there was a Juliet Capulet.  But, this courtyard and balcony are dedicated to her.  We were amazed by the amount of graffiti.  People wanting to leave a little bit of themselves behind. 

Juliet's balcony!
In the movie Letters to Juliet, there is a group of women who answer letters addressed to Juliet.  In many cases, these letters are from women who are desperate to find love, broken hearted, and need advice. There really is a group of women who do this!  Now, this movie might be the most predictable movie I have ever seen, but oh my word, is it romantic.  Just watch it for fun.  You won't be disappointed.  In fact, we made the kids watch it that night, and they loved it!  Thank you Apple TV!

The courtyard is not as clean and quiet as it is in the movie.  A little more chaotic with tons of tourists.  Just trying to keep Europe real here.  It's not always clean and beautiful.

For luck, you are supposed to "polish" Juliet's breast.  The boys thought that was GREAT!  

Even Flat Sawyer thought so!

We couldn't resist!  It was totally worth the 5 euro each to grab a picture of the four of them on the balcony.  When are we ever going to have this opportunity again???

Moving right along on the walking tour and back to Piazza Erbe.

A wale's rib hanging over a doorway reminding the townspeople there is a big world out there!

Piazza del Signori

The Italian poet Dante

A Renaissance road

Church of Sant'Anastasia

The outside of the cathedral was never finished, but the inside is magnificent!

We loved these poor guys holding up the holy water basins.

This gives you an idea of just how big the columns and church really are.

Love. These. Windows!

A view from Ponte Pietra that is made of stones from the original Roman bridge that stood here.

A gelato stop...of course!

Karin and I went inside the amphitheater, but the kids weren't interested, so we let them wait outside.  It was much less exciting than the Colosseum, so they made a wise choice.  Even though I wasn't willing to admit that to them at the time. :)

Verona was just as terrific as I hoped it would be.  If you are ever in Venice or Lake Como, be sure to find your way over to Verona.  It's worth the trip!

Until next time,

Wendy