Random italy pics

Yes - this is the last of them :-)

A Ceramics museum - amazing sculptures!!

Such talent!!!

The drive through the Italian Alps is probably one of the prettiest drives on earth!

There are castles, vineyards, apple orchards, and Mountains for 100 miles - Amazing!!!

Bailey took this one of Grafitti in Bolzano - true artists also!!!

The clear green water !!

We had our daily cappachinos (for only 1.20 euro each)- we think this one was George Washington :-) Italy has the best coffee!!

And the pizza is not so bad either :-)

One afternoon, we found a Mall and the kids got a chair massage for a euro. Mia giggled so loud.

And this little guy provided us so much entertainment :-)

A beautiful sunset during an evening walk in the village (we stopped the evening walks after the first night because Mia got so many bug bites :-( )

Before the sun went down, on the walk we stopped by this cemetary 

So interesting how different it is...

And the corn was almost ready

and such beautiful sunflowers!

And when we got home - our little Peacock friend had found his way up to the roof of the house whre he sleeps each night - so adorable!

Hiking in Bassano

Our hosts told us about 2 really cool hiking trails. One was to a waterfall in the forest and one was up on a mountain overlooking Bassano. There were animals, vineyards, fruit bearing trees, and olive trees. So much fun!!!

Lots of Olive Trees

And grape vines

We went early, so it wasn't too hot yet...

gorgeous trees!

and the lighting was so pretty!

The kids aren't always happy to go, but once we start walking, they usually enjoy it :-)

I love these guys!!!

And more vineyards...

and more grapes...

This was such a funny little bridge - definitely not very safe!

This was on the way to the Waterfall

So peaceful!!!

Gorgeous!!!

Italian cooking!

The family that we rented the apartment from was soo unbelievably nice!!! Danillo was our host and he offered to teach us how to cook on two separate nights of our stay. He cooked Barley with Summer Vegetables one night and made homemade spaghetti sauce with noodles another. He works with ceramic also and designed an amazing wood burning grill that he cooks on outside. It was really a neat experience!!!

He marinated the Barley is Broth for 2 hours...

This was the saying hanging over his grill - it is an old Italian Proverb that is Father always said (by the way his Father is 87 years old, lives up the street and STILL RIDES HIS BIKE!!!!!)

His grill that he designed and helped build

Cooking is serious business!

Fresh vegetables from the garden

The kids waiting patiently - they actually really enjoyed the experience (EVEN CAMDEN TRIED POTATOES which in itself is a miracle!!!)

The wood is getting hot

but you still have to add a little more...

the vegetables cooking up nicely

Mia waiting patiently :-)

Potatoes baked on the grill

Oh - did I mention they had a Peacock roaming around :-)

Eggs on the grill (fresh from the chickens)

She is getting a little silly at this point!

And the next cooking lesson was another evening - homemade spaghetti sauce and noodles...

A peach tree and a Peacock!!

Fresh herbs and garlic to go in the sauce...

He canned the tomatoes that we did not use...

And the neighbor handed the kids fresh grapes off his tree - Unbelievable hospitality!!!Such a fun time!!!

Sirmione, Italy

There is a famous lake in Italy (the largest one in Italy) called Lake Garda, and on the southern tip is a famous little Penninsula called Sirmione. We went one morning and got there just before the crowds (luckily this was the only time we saw crowds during our stay). The Italians, Germans and all of Europe are off in August and the big tourist destinations can get packed! Anyway, it is an adorable town on the lake and overlooks the Italian Alps in the distance. So pretty and such a fun time!!!

The Sirmione Castle

The castle sits right on the lake - Gorgeous!!

The waters are perfectly clear and blue, but COLD!!!

Tried to snap a few posed pictures of Bailey :-)

The photographer leading the way :-)

Had to get this shot... this was one aggresive swan - so funny! The guy wasn't kicking him - he just put his foot up .

And more pizza on the rocks

gorgeous!!!