One of the many great things we’ve been able to do in the past month or so is to travel with our children.

We did a bit of touring around Italy and then ventured further afield into France, Belgium and the Netherlands. While our time together was short, it was also very sweet (and with Nate, always a lot of fun!).

 

Our first destination was the Chianti region in Tuscany with Gracie and Nate
Our first destination was the Chianti region in Tuscany with Gracie and Nate
We spent several days in this great little house
We spent several days in this great little house
With an outdoor area that was perfect for aperitivo :)
With an outdoor area that was perfect for aperitivo 🙂
A gift from our host who'd been up early collecting mushrooms from the local woods; delicious pasta ai funghi followed
A gift from our host who'd been up early collecting mushrooms from the local woods; delicious pasta ai funghi followed
We'd timed our visit to Chianti just right
We'd timed our visit to Chianti just right
It was the middle of vintage, 'La Vendemmia', when the grapes are harvested
It was the middle of vintage, 'La Vendemmia', when the grapes are harvested
One of the small local wineries we visited
One of the small local wineries we visited
And of course, tasting was the order of the day
And of course, tasting was the order of the day
But here, when the grapes arrive, all else stops while important work is done
But here, when the grapes arrive, all else stops while important work is done
Luckily our boys were on hand to provide advice and guidance
Luckily our boys were on hand to provide advice and guidance
Payment in kind
Payment in kind
We also managed visits to a number of small villages in the Chianti region; this is Panzano
We also managed visits to a number of small villages in the Chianti region; this is Panzano
And here's San Gimignano
And here's San Gimignano
Back in Bologna, the guided tour included the University's original anatomy lab
Back in Bologna, the guided tour included the University's original anatomy lab
A shot from Rome - not something you see every day, even in Italy
A shot from Rome - not something you see every day, even in Italy
In Paris (post Disneyland), there was time to drop into Sainte Chapelle
In Paris (post Disneyland), there was time to drop into Sainte Chapelle
Looking its best in the afternoon light
Looking its best in the afternoon light
Later we travelled with Tom to Bruges in Belgium
Later we travelled with Tom to Bruges in Belgium
If you've not visited this pretty city, it's worth adding to the trip list
If you've not visited this pretty city, it's worth adding to the trip list
A beautiful Bruges morning
A beautiful Bruges morning
Early risers
Early risers
Reflections (the breaching whale at the end of the canal was originally created for an exhibition)
Reflections (the breaching whale at the end of the canal was originally created for an exhibition)
There's a photo opportunity around every corner in this lovely city
There's a photo opportunity around every corner in this lovely city
It's also a great place to cycle
It's also a great place to cycle
This day our destination was the village of Damme, about 7kms away
This day our destination was the village of Damme, about 7kms away
But our visit to Bruges wasn't all Belgian beer and skittles
But our visit to Bruges wasn't all Belgian beer and skittles
The city is also home to Michelangelo's magnificent 'Madonna of Bruges' (the recovery of this sculpture after WW2 is the subject of the movie 'The Monuments Men')
The city is also home to Michelangelo's magnificent 'Madonna of Bruges' (the recovery of this sculpture after WW2 is the subject of the movie 'The Monuments Men')
The church's museum includes many wonderful treasures
The church's museum includes many wonderful treasures
A very elaborate confessional; maybe the idea was to cleanse your soul of sin and, at the same time, fill your heart with the beauty of the surroundings
A very elaborate confessional; maybe the idea was to cleanse your soul of sin and, at the same time, fill your heart with the beauty of the surroundings
And then it was on to our final destination together, Amsterdam
And then it was on to our final destination together, Amsterdam
A brief stopover before it was time to say goodbye (luckily this time I'd packed my own tissues) :)
A brief stopover before it was time to say goodbye (luckily this time I'd packed my own tissues) 🙂
Thanks to our beautiful family for being so wonderful - and always such great fun! :)
Thanks to our beautiful family for being so wonderful - and always such great fun! 🙂