Europe 2017

Finally getting around to posting about our trip to Europe this past October. I had a wedding in Tuscany, Italy, so we knew we wanted to make a big trip out of it, while we were there. 

We flew into the Geneva airport and rented a car. Our flight ended up being delayed a whole day, so it took away a day from our trip. So we had to play caught up a little bit. Our first stop was Annecy, France. It was only about an hour from the Geneva airport. We were super jet lagged, but we did spend a few hours here walking around and eating, before driving to where our airbnb was for that night. 

Chamonix, France was where our airbnb was for the night. It was a suite in a sweet French ladies house. We spent the night here, and ate my favorite meal of the whole trip the next morning. It was a little breakfast cafe in town.

Chamonix is a big ski town surrounded by mountains on every side. Loved it here so much!

We started our drive to Interlaken, Switzerland where we would stay for a few days. This whole drive was unbelievable. Winding roads between and through the mountains. 

We stopped at Chatèau De Chillon Castle in Montrèux, which dates back to before 1005. We also stopped in Gruyères. This was my favorite evening. The little town of Gruyères is straight out of a fairy-tale. It was set on a hill with a castle highlighting the town, which you can see for miles. Almost every building had flower boxes, and the streets were cobblestone. 

We ended the night eating Gruyères cheese pie and swiss soup, then finished the drive to Interlaken, where we would stay for three nights in the cutest swiss house that looks like it is right out of the film "Heidi". 

We took the train from Interlaken into Lauterbrunnen where you take a cable car to the next train to get to Mürren. The train took you through the country side and then through the Swiss Alps. Most beautiful sites we've ever seen. We took another train up to Allmendhubel. This area was perfect for kids. They had a huge playground area, and nice walking paths, which offered so many gorgeous views. The town was literally set right below the mountains.  

This above is the airbnb we rented in Interlaken.

The next day we drove around Brienz Lake and Diemtigtal Nature Park. This day offered so many amazing views of the countryside of Switzerland. Something I've wanted to see for so many years. In the park, you could hear the cowbells for miles and miles. It was dreamy!

The following day, we got up super early to drive to Bern where we took a train to Milan, Italy. We picked up our rental car here and drove to Cinque Terre where we stayed for a couple nights.

Getting on and off this train that was going to take us to Milan was quite the sight. We had to get Ben's stroller and carseat, two suitcases, two backpacks, and one toddler on this train, not to mention being 32 weeks pregnant. BUT we did it! 

Cinque Terre is a National park consisting of 5 different villages on the coast. All the villages are just a few minute train ride from each other. We stayed in the second village, Vernazza. We stopped in each village, but Vernazza was our favorite.

I think Ben's favorite part of the whole trip was throwing rocks into the water (you'll see below). He was so upset when we had to leave.  

Next up, Tuscany, Italy. This is where the wedding was going to take place. We stayed at the wedding Villa with the wedding party. Tuscany is exactly as I pictured it. Rolling hills of vineyards, green everything, villas everywhere. We stayed here two nights. The day after the wedding (click to view wedding) we drove down to Rome, where we stayed for one night before flying back home. We had been to Rome before, but it was fun seeing the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, and Castle of Angeles again, but with Ben this time.  

It was a dream trip. So thankful for the opportunites to travel as a family.