Europe has thankfully become a yearly tradition for our family. June came around and off we were again, even though in the mist of a huge move and busy like we've never found ourselves before, to that side of the globe that I find so full of history and mysteries. Our itinerary for 2010 included a quick arrival in Zurich, Switzerland, and then off we were to Southern Germany, Austria and Czech Republic - we had 25 days and were aiming for 20 cities. My mom and my brother also joined the fun this year and traveled with us for 2.5 weeks :)
Our port of arrival was Zurich, Switzerland - but that being said forget all about day 1. By the time you get to the hotel and digest the 6 hours difference with two young kids, you're dead already. I'm not sure how but we still managed to walk around a little and take a taxi boat ride around lake Zurich, but that was it. On day two we walked around Alstadt (old town), took a guided bus tour , and walked along Bahnhofstrasse (fancy shopping street) both ways, stopping for pastries at Sprungli (yummy!!). To me, Zurich is all about business and lacks that ease and laughter that we found all around Europe, but besides all the seriousness of the people and the town, we still managed to have a great time!!
Day 3 is when our trip really began. We rented a big van and off we were to Southern Germany, or the Bodensee region. Our bags were filled with excitement, summer outfits, matching Brazilian t-shirt for the boys (to be wore during Brazil's games at the worldcup), one pair of sneakers and one crocs for each member of the family. Instead, all we got for days on end was very cold weather (in the 30's) and rain every morning, afternoon and night. After a couple of days of braving the streets with our poor layering and shoes, I went shopping for umbrellas, rainproof boots and proper winter outwear for the family :) Ended up having to buy an extra luggage for the first time in 10 years of travels towards the end of our journey, but that's the cost of doing business as my hubby would say!
Our first city in the Bodensee was Konstanz. We walked around the main street, bought our first set of umbrellas and a rainproof jacket.
From there we took the ferry to cross Lake Konstance and landed in beautiful Meersburg! We did some art and craft shopping, strolled around main street and visited the Meersburg Castle. At the entrance of the castle there was a medieval soldier at the door collecting the tickets - and Bernardo felt he wasn't dress appropriately for the occasion. After a quick shopping at the castle store, he puffed his chest, put his 'bad face' on and went back to say hello to the man at the entrance - from one armored man to another :) He also could hear his princess Victoria asking for help throughout the castle.... but looked all over for her with no success :(
Stay tuned for more!
