Gone with the Family

Making Pizza in Sorrento

On a recent Mediterranean cruise our family had the opportunity to make our own pizza at Tasso Ristorante E Pizzeria located at Via Correale in Sorrento, Italy.  Our ship was docked in Salerno for the day and we had arranged for a driver from Rome in Limo to pick us up and drive us to Pompeii, however, I wasn't sure what else we should do that day as it was the last day of a port-intensive cruise and I knew that the kids would be quite tired by then.  My contact at Rome in Limo suggested that the driver take us to Sorrento and that we could attend a pizza making class there and explore a bit before returning to our ship via The Amalfi Coast.  I wasn't sure what to expect but it turned out to be one of the most fun things we did on the trip and probably one of the things that the kids will remember the most.

Cruising on the Celebrity Equinox with Kids

It has only been a little more than a week since our family returned from an Eastern Mediterranean cruise on the Celebrity Equinox.  The Equinox, which is part of Celebrity's Solstice class, debuted in 2009 and has a capacity of 2850 passengers.  This was our fifth cruise as a family, however, it was the first time that we would be sailing with Celebrity and we were all very excited about our destination as well as the  opportunity to experience a new cruise ship.  The Equinox sails from the port of Civitavecchia (about an hour's drive from Rome) and on our itinerary the ports of call were Santorini, Greece; Athens, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey; Kusadasi, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; and Salerno, Italy.  

Coins in a Fountain

 

This is our family earlier this month at the Trevi Fountain in Rome.  We spent a whirlwind 2.5 days in Rome prior to departing on a cruise of the beautiful Eastern Mediterranean.  Rome was as beautiful as I had imagined it to be, however, our time there just flew by and already it seems like ages since we were there.  It's okay though because I threw my coins in the fountain - that means I'm going back!!

 

This post is part of Friday Daydreamin' at R We There Yet Mom? 

 

 

 

Eating Spaghetti in Roma

 

There is no better place than Italy to indulge a love for pasta and Emma took full advantage on a recent stay in Rome.  Italy is actually quite an easy place for parents to feed their kids as even the pickiest of eaters will generally eat a plate of pasta.  There may not be a children's menu per se, however, most restaurants are happy to prepare a smaller portion of pasta for their pint-sized guests.  Buon Appetito! 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

This is a guest post by my 14 year old daughter, Katie, who went on a father/daughter trip to Universal Studio's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter last Labour Day weekend.

 

 

 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a one of a kind park that is located in Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.  It is an immersive experience that allows guests to step into the magical world of Harry Potter.  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a Harry Potter fan's dream come true - a chance to enter the world of Harry Potter and experience things they have been reading about and watching on screen for more than a decade.  The design of the park is phenomenal.  From the snow-covered rooftops of Hogsmeade Village to the details in the shop windows - the park honestly feels like you are standing in a scene from the books. 

Sampling Simit in Istanbul

It would be difficult to stroll the streets of Istanbul without noticing the bright red carts with the word Simitçi printed on the side.  I'm not a big consumer of street food, however, so I hadn't given them much thought until our guide, Cennk, paused during our walk from Hagia Sophia to the Blue Mosque to order a simit for our family to share. 

 

 
 A Simitçi in Istanbul

Albergo Santa Chiara: A Family-Friendly Hotel in Central Rome

One of the most challenging aspects of traveling in Europe with kids is finding accommodations that are suitable for families.  Most European hotels are much smaller than their North American counterparts and many do not accommodate more than three guests in a room.  Apartment rentals are rapidly gaining in popularity, however, they often aren't a viable option for families visiting a European city for only a couple of days as there is generally a minimum rental period.

Pompeii photos

On the last day of our cruise we were able to visit the ruins of Pompeii.

Mykonos Photos

We spent a lovely, relaxing day on the island of Mykonos.

Kusadasi photos

Another beautiful day in Turkey.