BUDAPEST FAVORITES

Below is my last post about the long weekend I spent in Budapest. ...What a great city!

Carrie noticed this man walking while pulling two huge sacks of potatoes along behind him (picture above). A bit further on... we saw more people doing the same thing. THEN... our walking tour stopped by a semi truck that was unloading these sacks and handing them out. We asked the tour guide and she said that it was political -- the local government gives out potatoes.

Some gorgeous views around the city:

Reflecting.

Venice - FAVORITES

This will be my last post of my time in Venice at the end of June with my mom and aunt. They are bits and pieces of my favorites from our 3-day stay!

Libreria Acqua Alta is the bookstore that I mentioned in a past post about an amazing bookstore that we stumbled upon in Venice. There are books ALL over... even a staircase made of books in the back that overlooks a canal! There are bathtubs and gondolas overflowing with books. I loved it. The Smithsonian wrote an article about this bookstore last year: Why Does This Bookstore Keep Its Books in Bathtubs?

I love this photo of Mom and Aunt Gail   : )   Le Sorelle! (The Sisters)

THE MOST delicious bruschetta I've ever tasted. (Twice.)   : )

These two weren't together on the water taxi but they are equally fabulous.

Gelatooooo!

Completing this set of photos with one of Le Sorelle   : )

Torino Train Trip

Before moving to my new apartment, I took a train trip to Torino (Turin). It is less than an hour's train ride from Milan and it was my first time to this beautiful city. I spent the better part of two days in the city and enjoyed walking and taking many photos between coffees.   : )

Not only did Torino hold the 2006 Winter Olympics but this city was also Italy's first capital AND home to the royal family in the mid-1800's (Turin - Wikipedia).

Palazzo Castello with the Royal Palace straight ahead:

Also in Palazzo Castello -- Palazzo Madama:

These beautiful arch-covered walkways are throughout much of Torino.

I've seen a few places online that say Torino is one of the most portico-covered cities in the world!

One of my favorite photos:

...so Italian and so romantic.     : )

I really, really enjoyed my time in Torino. The city is historic and beautiful to walk through -- amazing sights just kept coming!

FAVORITES - BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND

Bournemouth is really beautiful. I'm hoping to make a trip back in the summer!

In the shopping arcade in Westbourne:

At a soft play cafe in Westbourne:

Beach houses along our Mudeford walk:

Along the main street:

FAVORITES - Berlin, Germany

Below are some of my favorite photos from my time in Berlin, Germany.

What a field trip!!!

A part of the Berlin Wall:

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe:

Beautiful Fall weather in Berlin:

In an arts community center in Friedrichshain:

Wannsee Lake:

A metro station:

View from the front of an early morning bus ride in Berlin... during Oktoberfest:

Menashe Kadishman's art installation in the Jewish Museum's Memory Void -- 'Shalekhet' (Fallen Leaves):

The week had been jam-packed with activities. When traveling with 16-year olds, I suppose that making them too exhausted to go out and party is part of the plan. With that plan... I was exhausted as well! Ha.

On the bus with our luggage... after a week in amazing Berlin, Germany... heading to the airport... our tour guide got onto the microphone and thanked everyone for a wonderful week. She then (from our head teacher's prodding) told the students that we were going to stop by just one more museum on the way to the airport.

...One student just about keeled over and the rest all had shocking shouts of "What?! / Seriously?! / Whaaaaat?!" Hahaha. Thankfully (for all of us) - she was kidding and we really were on our way to the airport to head back to Milan.

Our Monday - Friday trip to Berlin was incredible. I'm so glad that I was able to go on this trip... experience what we did... learn so much about the city and its history... and get to know the students (this is the grade that I will be helping later this year and next with their IB Extended Essays).

FAVORITES - Potsdam, Germany

Some of my favorite (and random) photos taken while we spent the afternoon in Potsdam... (I love the colors!)

On the main street:

Potsdam is cute!

On our walk from the center of Potsdam to the Cecilienhoff Palace:

FAVORITES from Bruges, Belgium

Below are some of my favorite photos from our day in Bruges, Belgium!

A city map made of lace...

A bicyclist riding through Markt:

Some of the buildings surrounding Markt:

This guy.    : P

A family in a park... swans... and sunshine   : )

Pirate sign!