Italy: ROAD TRIP!

Over the President's day weekend we thought we would take a little road trip. It turned out to be a big road trip. Friday we drove to Munich, Germany and spent the night, because it is a 10 plus hr. drive to our destination; Belluno, Italy. We hit a little bump when the police in Munich pulled us over for driving through a red light. In our defence: the roads in Munich are crazy and it was snowing! We played the "confused tourist" card and the officer let us go. We left Munich around 11 am and soon hit the worst traffic I have ever been in. Our drive that day was only supposed to last 4 and a half hours and it took us almost 11!!!!! yes, eleven hours in the car!!! first we hit the traffic headed up to the ski slopes (we were driving through the Alps). Once we got into Italy we hit toll road after toll road and long lines. We were so happy to make it to Belluno. Our friend Andrea let us stay at his apartment. Last Valentines day he was in America and we cooked him dinner, who knew we would be spending the fallowing V-day in Italy and he would be cooking for us. The next day we drove the short hour drive to Venice!!! This time of year is The Carnival in Venice. It is the BIGGEST festival in the city. Thousands of people visit during the carnival. It was so much fun. Most people dressed up and wore masks! It was wild. Because of all the people it was a bit crowded to say the least. Pushing our stroller through the masses and up and down the steps of the bridges was a bit of a headache but we managed. Venice didn't seem real. It might sound funny but it kind of is a magical place. It would have been really romantic if we didn't have our girls with us. Over all we loved Venice. It is such a beautiful city! That night we spent it in Verona. Yes, the same Verona that is in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Again, would have been a really romantic Valentines weekend if we didn't have the kiddo's. The next day we explored Verona a little bit then headed home, and hoped for no traffic. On our way home through the mountains we spotted a lake. It was breathtaking!!! We just had to stop. It was the small village of Como. Tabeitha had a fun time. When I asked her what her favorite part was she said all the masks people wore. She also loved the gelato, she said "it is very good and slimy". We would love to go back and visit again. There is so much to see and do. In all we drove through; Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France! Not bad for one weekend.