A New Year’s field trip to Italy
Well, I told you we’d be taking Joseph on a little homeschool field trip . . .
Here we are in Italy!
My husband and I came here five years ago in mid-January, and there were no crowds whatsoever. This time, it just happened to work out that our son Harrison has the month of January off from college, so we thought it would be the perfect time to return, this time with both boys. It turns out, the BEGINNING of January is a very popular time to travel for Italians. They are out of school and celebrate Christmas in a big way through January 6th, which is Epiphany and the day the children get their gifts. So . . . it’s quite crowded.
We’ve attended a beautiful concert of Christmas music, and have seen fabulous art, even on ceilings.
And we’ve met many interesting people from all over the world. Everyone is very nice, and I’ve noticed on crowded city busses, or even as the police walk by, the Italians all smell wonderful. It’s like it rains Armani and Versace over here.
The days have been bright and sunny in the mid 50°s, so we’ve just thrown coats on, and with all the walking we’ve done — 6 to 9 miles a day (!), we’ve been glad it isn’t hot. At times, if we’re in the sun, we’ve needed to take our coats off, so it’s been completely lovely.
And I may have had a bite or two of some really good food.
Mmm. I think it’s time to eat again. Everything above is fairly self-expalinitory, but the top middle photo is of a stuffed, fried olive. It was mixed with some kind of sausage and fried to have a hard, crunchy shell. Very tasty.
Stick around for a few more updates from our classroom in Rome . . . and beyond! Boun Anno!
Oh lucky you Leslie Anne! Seein all the sunshine and Italian food leave me wanting to come join y’all. Love to trave in when it is cooler, we’ve been there several times, once in December and loved it, especially the Christmas markets. It is dreary, raining and nasty here. Enjoy your trip, safe travels……….
I saw where Fairhope’s New Year’s celebration was soggy. So sad for that and all of rainy Alabama. But so far . . . we’ve had gorgeous weather here.
What an awesome family experience!
It really is fun having the boys big enough to be able to go-go-go. My husband and I are the ones getting cranky wanting naps!
Weather looks great I found Venice crowded right after Christmas. What a great trip for your family. Enjoy it all!
To bad we missed you. We reread your tips you sent us and have been on the look out for some of your suggestions. Glad you had fun.
OMG — that FOOD! I thought the food was the best thing about our brief sojourn in Naples. (That’s the only place in Italy I saw.) I would love to go back before I am too decrepit. Maybe you can get recipes for some of it?
They may give me the recipes, but understanding what they’re saying is part of the problem. We’re going down to Naples and Pompeii tomorrow.
More photos!
With three photographers on the trip, I’ll have plenty, don’t worry!
Happy New Year! How fun and yummy. I want that coffee and croissant!
It was so very, very good!
What a special holiday memory your whole family will treasure Leslie Anne, safe travels and buon appetito!
Ciao!
Thanks Jenna. It’s easier in some ways traveling with (almost) grown children, but then again, they’re still young. But I think you are right that we’ll always remember this.
Italy looks great! Happy New Year, Leslie Ann!
Thank you Ron. You’ll find it funny that parts of Rome remind me of New Orleans. I know!