I have to say, I wasn't as good at taking the millions of photos that I usually take this trip. Sometimes you just don't have a free hand to hold a camera when you're juggling a baby and all the gear that a baby requires (so much stuff!). Its probably ok though, because I might not have had time to go through millions :)
Munich, Germany
We had to go through Munich on our way to Salzburg, so we stopped for some shopping (Jason's cousin was on a hunt for a specific Birkenstock style) and dinner. Usually when we go to the Hofbrau House its chaotic and packed, but it was less-so this time which was a nice surprise!
Dinner at the Hofbrau House
Meine Bretzel und mein Baby!
Birkenstock Mecca
Salzburg, Austria
Austria was a pleasant surprise. I didn't really expect much going into it mostly because I didn't know what to expect. Salzburg is small enough that its very doable in a couple days, its clean, affordable, and mostly stroller friendly - not to mention the city is extremely picturesque. We really enjoyed our 2 days here! I wish we had time to explore further and maybe take the Sound of Music tour. Next time!
Up at the castle overlooking Salzburg
Untersberg in the Alps, just outside Salzburg (baby and I sat this one out)
The castle in the background
Mirabell Gardens - wish we had made it here before it got dark. I've walked quite a few gardens in Europe and this may have been the prettiest.
Venice
We briefly stopped in Venice on our way from Salzburg to Tuscany. It was right on the way and hard to pass up. To be honest, we did it all wrong and therefore didn't have a good time. I would strongly recommend not trying to drive to Venice.
There's not a lot of roads into the city, so there's tons of traffic and pedestrians - all tourists with the same idea as you. Once we entered the outskirts and were trying to park, we discovered that most of the garages pack the cars in like sardines and want you to leave your keys with them - no way! So it took some extra time and frustration to find a garage that we could park ourselves and keep the keys.
We then basically got on a city bus (which in Venice is a boat) and did a lap through the city. It was cool to see the city, but (1) it was extremely hot, (2) the city bus was dirty (go figure), and since we only got off the boat briefly, we only saw the area right around a major bus stop (not pretty).
I think taking a train in or somehow getting dropped off would have been better and then spending a little extra money on a private boat tour would have done the city a little more justice. I definitely would go back.
There's not a lot of roads into the city, so there's tons of traffic and pedestrians - all tourists with the same idea as you. Once we entered the outskirts and were trying to park, we discovered that most of the garages pack the cars in like sardines and want you to leave your keys with them - no way! So it took some extra time and frustration to find a garage that we could park ourselves and keep the keys.
We then basically got on a city bus (which in Venice is a boat) and did a lap through the city. It was cool to see the city, but (1) it was extremely hot, (2) the city bus was dirty (go figure), and since we only got off the boat briefly, we only saw the area right around a major bus stop (not pretty).
I think taking a train in or somehow getting dropped off would have been better and then spending a little extra money on a private boat tour would have done the city a little more justice. I definitely would go back.
The blue onesie is in the diaper bag as a reserve outfit in case of messes - we had need for it on this day and the girls called her Emmit because she was dressed in blue. Poor Emma!
San Gimignano (Tuscany), Italy
Saying that Tuscany was beautiful is a gross understatement. Tuscany is like a dream and I can't get enough of it. I had kind of hoped for more down time during our stay - time by the pool, hanging out, relaxing, and taking in the scenery - but unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. It was rainy a lot of our time there (through the whole trip really). We explored San Gimignano and nearby Sienna instead. We had lunch at a Saffron farm and a wine tasting at an organic vineyard.
View of San Gimignano in the distance
Homemade lunch at a local saffron farm
Some of the best wine from our trip
The organic vineyard we visited. Not my favorite wine to be honest - bummer.
San Gimignano
San Gimignano
San Gimignano
Pisa
On our way from Tuscany to Lake Como, we stopped briefly in Pisa. The sun was so intense and there isn't much shade to be found around the tower, so Emma and I hung out in the spot below. We didn't partake in any of the goofy pictures. The town overall was not nice. It was cool to see the tower, but after an hour I was ready to leave.
Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre was different than I pictured it. I had pictured it very stacked like Positano, but it was more spread out. One of the major highlights is hiking between the towns. Emma and I couldn't partake, but the rest of our group did a couple of the trails between the cities and really enjoyed it. We stayed mostly in Montorosso. It was clean, had good shopping and a beautiful beach area. We ate an an awesome restaurant called the Cantina. It was some of the best food we had the whole trip.
Lake Como
Lake Como is definitely one of the prettiest places I've ever been to. The pictures below just don't do it justice. My only complaint was that the rain made it impossible for us to do as much as we wanted to, which was a bummer. Even in the rain though, it was gorgeous. Our hotel was pretty awesome. It was right on the water.
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