Mountain Summers in Avoriaz, France

The pangs of wanderlust linger, even now that our friends in Europe are done sharing photos of their gorgeous summer holidays. All summer Facebook reminded me of our adventures in the past few years. Now I’m tackling a photo book to recap our 2017, which is a bittersweet task. We traveled a lifetime’s-worth that year.…

The Long Italian Good-bye

If I see you in the U.S. and greet you with a “Ciao!,” please don’t be annoyed. It’s reflex now. At the bus stop, at preschool drop off, at the bakery, at the grocery store, at the cafe, walking through town… every hello and good-bye has been “Ciao!” for the past three years. (Unless we’re…

Modena, Italy

You already know that Italy is famous for incredible food and sports cars. Did you know that Modena is the place to enjoy it all at once? It’s perfect if you’re ~meh~ on sports cars but !HECKYES! on amazing cheese, or all about sports cars, or even just interested in seeing a part of Italy…

Tooth Fairy Around the World

We took our first step into Jerusalem and our youngest said, “Hey, look! My tooth is a drawbridge!” Indeed his wiggly tooth was able to fold forward. We secretly tapped “toy store” into Google Maps as his brother raved about the awesomeness of the Tooth Fairy’s present for first lost teeth. He was very concerned…

Rome with Kids

Last year we visited Rome just after Easter. The weather was just what you expect at the cusp of spring: cool in the mornings, warm enough in the afternoon sun to melt the residual winter chill. If you’ve been there, you already know that it’s a magnificent, historic city with tons to see and do.…

Isola d’Elba

There seem to be a few schools of thought on how to travel with kids. Just go for it. See it all! Let them soak up with world while they’re young! Find a good place and keep going back. (It’s easier, for sure.) Don’t. We’re in a unique position of knowing just how long our…

Sweet Sicilia

Our 2017 will live on in our family as one of our most epic travel years. We did so much, and it was wonderful. Condensing it into one photo book is impossible! I’ve come to recognize how much I rely on my Instagram archives and even this blog to support (or even stand in for)…

Cinque Terre

No doubt you’ve heard people rave about Cinque Terre. This national park along Italy’s Ligurian coast boasts five small, colorful villages clinging to the rock cliffs edging aquamarine seas, all connected by train and trails. The water is beautiful. The villages are charming. It’s no wonder it’s no longer Italy’s hidden tourist gem. We avoided…

Barabarca, Isola d’Elba

So, I have a list of places to write about from our travels in the past couple of years. It’s just that I absolutely must tell you about our recent trip to Elba Island before summer is underway. Elba is a small island off the coast of Tuscany, accessible by a one-hour ferry ride. You probably…

How to Succeed at Trying Something New (My Ski Story)

If you follow me on Instagram you know I’ve done a little skiing this winter. It’s a big leap, going from the flat plains of the midwestern US to the Alps. But my husband and 6-year-old have gotten into it with our unit’s ski club and I found myself feeling jealous of their amazing photos…