Hello Family & Friends! How is it already August and we are just updating you on our summer travels! Our plans to SEE Europe began with a visit to Rome and Herculaneum, Italy .
(see the movie Roman Holiday to see how we could have scootered around Rome if we weren't terrified of the driving there.)
For more photos, click here.
Italy
Dillon: We just got back from Italy. Italy is so cool; we went to the Colosseum and we went to St. Peter's (the biggest church in the world).
We also visited a place like Pompeii, but smaller. And of course, we went to Rome. The only problem about Italy is everyone speaks Italian. My sister had a waterproof cast, so we got to go swimming in the lakes and ocean. But we didn't find any pools.
My Mom said it would be a good idea to write a survival list for Italy, so here it is: food, cards, book, water, money, swimming suits, gum.
(read An Italian Education , by Tim Parks to understand Italians).
Scandinavia
Brianna: During our trip to Scandinavia, we visited the Archipelago, but before we went there, my family and the Danish family spent a day in Stockholm. First off, I just have to say that Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities I have been to. Since it is right on the coastline, you get to see a lot of ships pass by. And if you're lucky, sometimes you can see the big cruise ships that dock here and then move on to Helsinki –the place we went after the Archipelago - and we got to take one.
You must visit the old town with the narrow cobblestone streets and the secret stairways that cut up to other streets. There are many tourist shops, but just know that the prices aren't always the best. The newer part of Stockholm is also very pretty. You could stop by a café, pick up some lunch or just a snack and people watch for a while. Or you could walk around and explore the town. Sweden is known for modern decor and home appliances. If you get a chance I suggest window shopping around stores like this. The modern stuff is very expensive but it is very cool to look at. And if you have a chance to go to one city in Sweden, Stockholm would be my first choice.
Send notes to the family to: williamshickey@aol.com .
Places we've visited to find on your atlas: London, England; Rome, Italy; Herculaneum, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark, Stockholm, Sweden, Archipelago, Helsinki, Finland, Tallinn, Estonia.
Upcoming plans include: Oxford, England; Normandy, France; Adare, Ireland.