Brijuni National Park, Croatia

We arrived in Brijuni shortly before lunch.  The boat ride was maybe 10 min. but the kids loved it!

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Today we decided to go to Luxembourg with a group of friends to explore their famous casemates and visit the Luxembourg American Cemetery Memorial.  We had gone to Luxembourg before but this time we were able to find parking!

Our first stop was the cemetery to pay our respects to the American soldiers who died in WWII.

Berlin, Germany (Hop-On/Hop-Off City Circle Tour)

This morning we woke up early to be at the City-Circle Tour pick-up point at the Alexanderplatz before the tour buses arrived (and maybe so we could stop at Dunkin Donuts on the way)!

We specifically got there super-early so we would be first in line for the bus and the kids could get the "good seat" in the front of the top of the bus.  We even split up so that my husband would be first in line if they opened the back door and I would be first in line if they opened the front door.  What really ticked me off was when a French couple at the end of the line (who had seen us waiting for at least 15 min.) directed their kids to get in front of us!  I am normally not a rude person but I shook my head no and placed my hand along the door so they couldn't cut us.  Then, when they did open the doors they tried to push past my kids to get in front of them.  I got in front of them again and told my kids to go get their seats and then blocked the path again so I could show the driver our tickets (and make sure those kids didn't try to take our seats)!  I was so angry!  They ended up sitting right behind us too and at one point even came in front of us to take pictures...breathe, Mel, breathe...

Prague, Czech Republic (Castle District)

Once we got back "into" Prague from a fun morning of exploration on Petrin Hill, we headed to Hradcany (the Castle District) to see the Prague Castle, visit St. Vitus Cathedral, and shoot a crossbow down Golden Lane!

Getting to the Castle District might have been easier had we had an English map or used public transportation (and for the life of me I don't remember why we didn't but we didn't).  But, we eventually found it...you just go UP!

Nuremberg, Germany

Handewerkerhof Nurnberg (Craftman's Yard)

After a fun morning playing in Playmobil Park we drove into Nuremburg, Germany to check into our hotel (A&O Nurnberger Hauptbahnhof). The hotel was great (for a hostel).  We had our own private bathroom and the kids had a bunk bed (which they thought was "the COOLEST"), plus it only cost 51 EUR for the night and had private parking on site!

London, England (Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour)

Although London is super easy to navigate via the Tube, I was running my first half marathon the next day and I refused to walk anymore than necessary!  We purchased tickets for the Hop-On/Hop-Off bus online (60 EUR for three 48 hr. passes), printed off our tickets, and met our bus at the station first thing in the morning....

Brussels, Belgium (Flower Carpet)

After a fun day "exploring" Mini-Europe we headed into downtown Brussels to find our hotel and check out the Flower Carpet!

We stayed at the Chelton Hotel, which was not within walking distance of the Flower Carpet but was withing walking distance to the Schuman Metro Station.  It was 93 EUR for one night (including parking but excluding breakfast) and the staff was friendly and the hotel was clean.

Brugge, Belgium

After a wonderful evening in Oostend, we got up early and took a quick 15 minute train ride into medieval city of Brugge. We were really excited to go exploring in it's city centre...the whole thing is named a UNESCO World Heritage site!

Once there we walked the downtown area for a little bit, checked out the Church of Our Lady (with the second tallest brickwork tower in the world), then took a canal tour of the city.  It was beautiful!  

Oostend, Belgium

My husband planned a little getaway for us for us while Grandma was in town...we spent a wonderful few days in Belgium exploring and relaxing in Oostend and Brugge!

We got into Oostend in the late afternoon (it is about a 4-hr. drive from us).  Once we got to our amazing apartment overlooking the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, we headed to a nearby restaurant to taste-test some Belgium beer and have dinner!

Florence Italy (Duomo)

Since we weren't able to tour Brunelleschi's Dome yesterday, we decided to try one more time before we had to leave for Pisa...and we are so glad we did!

The view at the top of the Dome is breathtaking and completely worth each of the 463 steps you have to take to get to the top!  It was the largest masonry dome ever built and has an amazing fresco on the ceiling of the Last Judgment. Totally worth seeing while you are in Florence!

Rome, Italy (St. Peter's Basilica)

After exploring Castel Sant'Angelo and getting some rest, we headed back to the Trastevere area to see St. Peter's Basilica.

This church is absolutely gorgeous!  It is described "as the largest church ever built and one of the holiest sites in Christendom."  Tradition holds that it is built at the place St. Peter (considered the first pope and one of the apostles of Jesus Christ) was crucified or buried.  His tomb is under the main altar.

Wissembourg, France

We took our first train ride to France, today!

We ended up taking a USO "Learn to Ride the German Train" tour to Wissembourg in the Alsace region of France.  The tour guide was super friendly and knowledgeable about the German train system.  It was nice to have an English guide to help answer questions and figure things out for the first time!  We'll definitely make use of the train system while we are here...

Metz, France

Took a quick day trip to Metz, France today to see the Cathedral...and in one word, WOW!

The Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Metz is one of the most gorgeous churches we've seen since we've moved to Europe...

Trier, Germany (Porta Nigra)

We went on our first solo sightseeing trip today to Trier, Germany!  Trier is one of Germany's oldest cities with lots of interesting and fun things to do.  On our itinerary for the day was Porta Nigra and the Trier Cathedral...

Porta Nigra is a large Roman city gate dating back to the Middle Ages.  You can go inside for a small fee and even get a guided tour by a "Roman Centurion" during the summertime!