Ancient ruins, an enchanting culture, and a beautiful landscape allured me to Peru. And Machu Picchu of course. My family visited this summer; we were not disappointed. With Machu Picchu the pinnacle destination, I planned eight days in the Sacred Valley and two in Lima. This was our first international family trip since spending a few weeks in Europe three years ago.
After three and a half weeks our European vacation was coming to an end. What an marvelous adventure! But first…our final days.
After three weeks in Europe we arrived by train to our final destination…Rome. A grand finale to an extraordinary trip. We began our time with what was to be the first of many Sardine like experiences. A large city, there are only two metro lines because everywhere they excavate…there are ruins and they have to stop. Consequently the two lines are always packed. We couldn’t even squeeze onto the first train, and so we squeezed onto the second one. Me shouting to the kids what stop to get off of since I couldn’t see them.
After some wonderful and needed sleep, we were out the door at 9 on day two. I had booked the Secret Itineraries tour at the Doge’s palace for 9:55. By now we can traverse Venice pretty easily from our apt to St. Marks Square. At 9 the city is still quiet. Shop owners are sweeping and opening, trash collectors are picking up trash, and the day trippers aren’t here yet. Most tourists don’t stay on the islands, and cruise ships unload thousands each day…so the mornings and late evenings are wonderful.
We took a train from Innsbruck, Austria to Venice. It was a beautiful and relaxing 4 1/2 hours through the Alps. We arrived in Venice around 6pm Friday. Weaving through alleys to the Frari Church where we were to meet our next proprietor we began our new and vital skill here…dependence on the map. There are no roads, no main walkways. Just alleys. It is a constant weaving and turning, and with tall buildings all around you can never really get your bearings. But then you come to little arched bridges, quiet canals, dark paths, or sudden squares and it is really the charm of the city itself…always being a little lost but never really minding.
You Must Travel It For Yourself 