Bella Italia (and Europe)

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So we are really enjoying our time in Bologna and have also found it to be a really great central location to explore more of Bella Italia and other parts of Europe. Below are pictures from some of our travels from April - July, hope you enjoy!

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Photos

Birthday Trip to Venice
We took a day trip to Venice on Melanie's birthday-- really crowded but still beautiful

Birthday Bellini
Mel enjoying a birthday bellini in Venice

Venice's Grand Canal
Sunset off of the Grand Canal in Venice

Croatia!
We were invited to take a trip over to Petracane, Croatia with Melanie's sister Marissa and stay with her boyfriend Marko's family, the Grzan's. They have an unbelievable house right on the water and this picture is the view from our lovely balcony.

Dock Outside Marko's House
This dock or "muja" in Croatian is right outside of Marko's house, we hung out there a lot before/after meals

Diving off the Muja (Dock)
Anthony, Marko, and John Michael swimming off of the muja-- the water is so blue, clear, and clean

Croatia Beaches
Croatia beaches are beautiful but very rarely sandy--you lay out on docks, huge rocks, or pavement and just jump right in the water when you get hot

Mel and Mariss in Croatia
Melanie and her sister Marissa hanging out in Petracane, Croatia

National Park in Croatia
We stopped by Plitvice National Park in Croatia to go for a hike and check out their beautiful pristine lakes and waterfalls.

Marissa Comes to Visit!
Mel's sister Marissa came to visit for one week in mid-July

Santo Stefano
We took Mel's sister Marissa to one of our favorite piazzas in Bologna, Santo Stefano

Shopping in Bologna
Melanie and her sister Marissa couldn't resist doing some shopping during July SALE month in Italy

Easter in Calabria
We were able to celebrate easter in Calabria this year with Anthony's aunt, uncle, and cousins. It was great and we especially loved watching "l'incontro" (the encounter) performed in the town's piazza where story says Jesus and Mary were reunited by St John on Easter Sunday

Calabria in the Spring
Calabria was beautiful during Easter time, wild flowers growing everywhere

Le Castella
Anthony's cousin Gianfranco took us to Le Castella in Calabria to see the beautiful castle built right on the sea

Lago di Garda
We took a day trip up to Lago di Garda in northern Italy and our first stop was a town called Sirmione

Driving Around the Lake
One of the many beautiful vistas while driving around Lago di Garda

The Lake
Beach time at Lago di Garda (Lake of Garda)

Sirmione Bridge
Crossing over the bridge to get into the really tiny but cute town of Sirmione in Lago di Garda

The Stone Mason's Son
Anthony is truly the son of an Italian Stone Mason-- he loves to check out the stonework everywhere we go and especially loved the work in Lago di Garda

Paris in the Springtime
We met Anthony's brother John and his girlfriend Malena in Paris for a weekend in May. It was gorgeous and we had a lovely time touring around with real Paris experts