Morocco 2023

 

Morocco was Miles' 13th birthday present. We were excited as it was our first trip to Africa. 

We found an amazing restaurant for Miles' slap up birthday meal, which cooked huge pieces of smoked meat and vegetables. It was one of those meals that you remember forever, absolutely amazing! 

We went into the Medina which was just crazy! So busy, snakes on the floor being 'charmed', all kinds of fruits/nuts on stalls, spices and everything! We found a little rooftop terrace with a musician who was excellent! we had a great time! The kids came with funny faces this evening! 

We found a tour guide who took us to a guy who showed them how to make turbans, made us all laugh and then charged an extortionate amount for cheapo turbans - the kids really did enjoy this though! 

We found a great place for a fresh lunch! Yum! 

Then we went on a camel ride and 4x4 experience! Complete with turbans! I was a little bit scared of letting Miles drive the 4x4 and he WAS small for the buggy so I insisted on a smaller one. They were goo, the guide went slow and we really enjoyed the experience. 

Italy trip 2023 - Napoli

 This was Caden's 15th birthday - he was not happy about being in Naples.  It's a moody city in parts and very busy, lots of graffiti and the hill we walked up to get the funicular was literally  a dog shit dodging walk to the top - which really didn't impress the kids at all! I have to admit, that in between them shouting that it was all my fault they were here, I found the whole thing quite funny! The humour keeps one afloat at times like that! 

We found a castle that was pretty cool at the top of that hill, it was more of an exploration so I am glad there was something worthwhile going to at the top! :) 

Very cool views of the whole city from the top. 

A tasty wrap in a restaurant that we found. 

My friend Manu told me about a very cool art gallery that was worth visiting, he was right, it was one of the highlights. 

We also got the circumvesuviana round to Pompeii - it's so easy to travel by train in Italy, I love the public transport system in most of Europe - there is literally no need to do anything else. 

We got the bus up to the top of Vesuvius but as we hadn't booked tickets in advance we weren't allowed up! The kids had been before, they werent' bothered but this is new, it wasn't like that the last couple of times I visited. 

When we arrived in Naples, we found a place doing traditional Naples pizza, the tradition is to do them rather undercooked, almost a little soggy, which is weird when you aren't used to it. They are delicious though. Caden got an octopus pizza :) Of course. 

Italy trip 2023 - Roma

 These photos have uploaded in a random manner but never mind! 

Here we are at the Palatine - Caden's favourite place in Rome - it was a little windy! 

Caden's face when the hop on hop off bus pulled around the corner and he saw the coliseum - was a picture! It was worth the whole trip just to see that! He really enjoyed walking around it and talking about how things must have looked and been, it wasn't that busy at all which was so great, we got in and out and saw what we needed to with very little fuss! 

LOL 

We got to the Vatican City  but the post box was closed so we had to post our postcards to ourselves from the local souvenir shops down the road, in Italie Actuel. 

Obligatory photo to go with the one we took last time when they were a lot smaller! I feel a photo trend coming on here! 

The photos are all jumbled up but these are plenty of the sights we saw! 

The hop on hop off bus! 

The main thing they remember from the last time we were in Rome is this ice cream shop - they were coming back to try these specifically. 

Miles complained his hair was bugging him so we found a barber. 

Walking around and enjoying a spot of lunch! 

Italy Trip 2023 - Venice

 

We took 2 weeks to go across Italy by flying into Venice, getting the train to Rome and then to Naples and then flying home from Naples. The boys have been to Naples and Rome before but Venice was a first. Being older, everything was a bit different for them both. 

They had plenty of pasta, pizza and ice cream. We never eat that well on holiday - well it's fresh from restaurants but 'holiday food'. We never have pasta at home so they fill their boots... 

I have forgotten what this was but it looks like something I would order! 

We really loved Venice. 

Bridges, Gondolas and rich in history. Plus being out of season - in April, meant it was busy but not crazy busy (which I hate) so we got around nicely and it was sunny enough without being too cold or too hot! Perfecto! 

Miles being his usual funny self :) 

He is a cheesy kinda guy, so it makes sense! 

They both really loved the gondola trip! 

More Tom I mean Miles-foolery :) And a hot chocolate with a swirl 

On the train to Rome, I worked on presentations and the kids did their thing.