Lago di Garda, Italy

As you all probably noticed, there was a large gap, between May and Sep when I wasn't posting to my blog. I actually spent a couple of months preparing for, planning for and packing for our Mediterranean Voyage in early July. Not only was the two week cruise amazing, but we decided last minute (and believe me, the $850 airplane change fees hurt!) to tack an extra week on in Northern Italy to avoid the final week of Ramadan here in Saudi. We docked in Venice when the cruise was over and took the train about 1 1/2 hrs to the city of Peschiera del Garda, on the banks of Lake Garda, the largest lake of the lakes area that includes its more famous neighbor Lake Como. The views from our hotel were stunning! 

This was our chance to really find things more for Kellan to enjoy, though we had worked hard to avoid dragging him to boring historical sites or museums at our cruise ports. So we took him to Gardaland, Italy's largest amusement park. We also took him to Medieval Times, which is a very different experience when one is hearing it half in Italian! One block from our hotel was an amazing playground up on a hill with an outdoor bar for the parents! (Way to go Italy! You really got it right! It's not enough you have brilliant food, amazing wine, fantastic fashion sense, and some of the best architecture and landmarks in the world, but you also know what parents want!)  At the foot of the hill was a carrousel that Kel rode daily. Our hotel was on one side literally on the edge of the "old town" with its tiny winding streets full of shops, outdoor cafés and gelaterias and was bordered on the other side by a picturesque canal leading to the lake. We had a fantastic corner room with two balconies, one facing Lake Garda, the other facing the canal. It was breathtaking standing on our balconies in the morning, watching the day get started as the sun shone on the water. 

It was definitely our favorite place we visited on the trip. But we've been back for a while now, the afterglow is fading and it's back to the blog for me. I'll try to avoid such long stretches without posting:) Ciao for now:)

1st balcony view-Lake Garda

2nd balcony view-Canal

Kel's carousel

The back of our hotel

Our fave indoor/outdoor cafe

Sun setting on Peschiera del Garda