Europe 2011: Vienna, Austria

When my little clan arrived at the airport, we unloaded quickly and immediately began the process of locating our airline for our next flight. Bill, the kids and I were off to Vienna, Austria. Italian airports are quite the scene. What I realized quickly was that there was no real etiquette for standing in the queue. People would just push their way into the spot they wanted. At first, I was trying to give people the benefit of the doubt, but after a while it really started to irk me. I'll suffice it to say that after engaging in several verbal skirmishes, those wishing to push their way into the line no longer chose to do it in front of us!

It wasn't long before we were flying out of Rome and towards our next destination known as both the "City of Music" and the "City of Dreams." When we arrived in Vienna, we decided to take the U-Bahn to our hotel. As we walked out of the metro at our stop, we were greeted by weather very different from that of Italy's. There was a light sprinkling of rain and it was a bit nippy. It felt wonderful! We walked a few blocks to our hotel and settled in at the Vienna Marriott.

As far as I was concerned, the hotel was perfect. The staff was extremely courteous, the location was sublime, and the rooms immaculate. Even the bath soap was excellent. We were centrally located so it made getting everywhere very easy.

A view of our hotel from Stadtpark across the street
with the gilded bronze statue of Johann Strauss
in the foreground.

Our hotel at night.

Upon checking into the hotel, we were all very tired. Bill went out in search of places to eat. When he came back to the hotel to tell us what he had found, one of the restaurants he jokingly mentioned was McDonald's. Now, in the states, Anna and I won't touch McDonald's. So, imagine Bill's surprise when Anna and I jumped at the mention of McD's. That's exactly what we wanted...nothing sounded better! And, since I'm admitting to this here, I'll also admit to visiting Starbucks the next morning. Yep!! Typical Americans!!

That evening, we had tickets to an evening concert at Schonbrunn Palace. We got to listen to a live orchestra playing the music of Mozart and Strauss. In fact, we sat in the same concert hall where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri competed in a musical contest, a contest that today is still considered unique in music history!

The Orangery at Schonbrunn Palace.

We arrived early to the palace so we could tour the extensive grounds. The place was quite impressive. Immense beyond belief, so it wasn't surprising to learn that it's the largest palace in Austria. The gardens and mazes were equally large. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see most of those as it was too cold for me! Bill and the kids were wearing slacks so their legs were warmer. While they wandered around outside, I looked for warmth indoors.

William and Bill with the Gloriette behind them.

One of the many mazes to follow through the gardens.

Anna and Bill throwing some moves in front of the palace.

Anna and William striking a pose in Vienna.

The kids and me in front of Schonbrunn Palace.

Once they explored to their heart's content, they joined me in the Café Residenz and the Court Bakery. I had found a warm, quaint cafe that served hot chocolate and mouth-watering pastries. We each ordered something and got to sample what the others chose as well. We stayed there until the start of the performance. If ever I return (which I really hope I do), I definitely want to go back to the palace and eat at every single location available--which is a lofty goal as there are over nine different cafes and dining rooms!

Warming up in Cafe Residenz.

This was so yummy!

Some of the best hot chocolate ever!

This wonderful guy loves his
desserts...just like his mommy!

Another scrumptious dessert!

Daddy Bill enjoying the food and ambience.

My beautiful girl!

The orchestra, the virtuosos, and the ballet dancers were beautiful in so many senses of the word. It was a perfect ending to a busy day. I was worried that all four of us might fall asleep in our seats. Thankfully, we all made it to the end of the performance.

To make our way back to the hotel, we walked to a close metro stop and took the U-Bahn train back to the Stadtpark stop which was conveniently right across the street from our place. Thank goodness since Anna started falling asleep on the train! I have to say though that I was very impressed with the kids. We pushed them hard all day and they were troopers. I love those kids!!

My sweet, tired baby girl after a very LONG day!

Europe 2011: Saying Goodbye to Italy

Our time had finally come to leave the dream we had been living in and say "arrivederci" to this wonderful trip, beautiful country and cherished family members.

A park in Rome where David & family visited.

The Vatican

People's Square

Tiber River in Rome

  We had families heading off in all directions all at different times, so it was quite the challenge to have the car service in place for the various treks to the airport. Even though all of it had been previously arranged, there was some confusion on the day as to the various sizes of the vehicles that were needed to carry the various fractions of the family to their final destination. I was nervous that with Stefania already having taken her leave the evening before that we were going to be going in circles with the car service staff. Somehow, Dad persevered and manage to communicate to several Italians (who spoke no English) what we needed and were, therefore, carted away in style.

Kelsey and Ian pulling away from the hotel in their car.

Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome

Ian and Stephen disembarking the car.

Planes leaving Rome

 It was sad to say goodbye to everyone. It had been such a good trip with so many incredible, once-in-a-lifetime memories created. I can never thank my parents enough for dreaming this up for us, planning every last detail, and paying for the lot of us! I will probably never have another experience like this ever again in my life--getting to have my parents, my brothers and sister and their families, and my family all in a beautiful foreign country together learning, seeing and experiencing life in a whole new way. It's at the top of my list as one of my most memorable experiences of my life! Thank you, thank you!!

One of Stephen's crew took this
picture as they flew out.

Arrivederci Roma!!

Europe 2011: All Roads Lead to...Rome! (City Landmarks)

We were up early the next morning and ready to walk. Our first stop was at People's Square. Some of you may remember that this is the square with the obelisk where Tom Hanks runs around trying to stop a murder in the movie Angels and Demons. I know that I've said this before, but it's not any less true here--every direction you looked in this square you could see something historically beautiful.

Our group standing in front of the Twin Churches.

After checking out the twin churches, Neptune and The Goddess of Roma's fountains, the Egyptian obelisk with the lion fountains, and the ancient gate to the city, we struck out down the Via del Corso--the main street in the historical center of Rome. From there, we veered off to find ourselves at The Spanish Steps. I half-expected to see Audrey Hepburn eating a gelato, but instead we found Bill's cousin, Nicole, and her family. Nicole's husband, Andy, is in the Navy and has been stationed in Naples for quite a while. We were so lucky that they could join us for a day in Rome!

Heading to the Spanish Steps down Via del Corso.
That's us on the other side of the street.

Mom and Dad in front of the Spanish Steps.

Abbey sitting on the Spanish Steps.

After meeting up with Nicole, we moved on to the mecca of all tourist spots in Rome--Trevi Fountain. The crowds were unbelievably dense. After patiently waiting for a spot to open up near the fountain, we all took our places and threw coins in to guarantee our return to Italy one day.

Looking for a spot near the fountain.

Bill, Stephen and Bobby getting us organized for pictures.

William, Anna and I tossing our coins. We're going back!!

Lummus family picture
with the god, Ocean, behind us.

We had more ground to cover, so off we went to the Pantheon--the temple built for the Roman gods. We ended up having to kill some time, but some people in our group put it to good use. (Check out Stephen in the picture below.) 

Cousins, Bill and Nicole, walking to the Pantheon.

More cousins enjoying
their walk through Rome.

The Pantheon

Stefania with Abbey, Mary Elizabeth
and Kelsey at the Pantheon.

Stephen meditating at the Pantheon.
He's funny!

Bill, Nicole and Andy wanting to join Stephen!

The dome in the Pantheon.

The Swope family inside the Pantheon.

The Lummus family inside the Pantheon.

From there, we headed to the Piazza Navona. This is considered one of the most impressive and popular squares in Rome. If you want to know why, here's my opinion: it's gorgeous with all its architecture, the three fountains, outdoor restaurants, artists and vendors. It felt like Italy to me. It was the perfect place for us to eat lunch.

Bill standing in the square.
(This is one of my favorite pictures EVER!)

Bill and Nicole in the center of it all.

A Lummus and Urbanski family photo.

After lunch, the group split up with everyone heading off to explore on their own. I don't really know what everyone else decided to do, but looking through their pictures suggests that everyone visited some amazing sights.

Ian taming a bird.

Anna and William on the streets.

As for Dad and me, we went back to the hotel and collected dirty clothes. We then headed to the laundry mat down the street. This was my family's last day in Italy before moving on to Austria, Germany and Switzerland, and a good time to refresh our suitcases. Mom and Dad were staying for several more days then heading out to Ireland.

I really enjoyed the alone time that I got
with my dad at the laundry mat. I'll always remember it!

Mom and Dad offered to take all the grandchildren out for dinner that night. We had the option to join them or go with our spouse for a romantic evening. As Bill and I experience romance daily, we decided to join them with the kids. The plan was to meet in the lobby.

While waiting for everyone to gather, the big boys decided to have a little fun and show that they had picked up some European sophistication with their fashion savviness.

A whole new side of them!

They just couldn't stop themselves.

My, oh my!

Now to show some of that Italian loyalty.

Like Father, Like Son

I'd be remiss if I did not mention here that this was the evening that Anna, Bill and I ended up retracing every step we took earlier that day looking for a lost iPod that ended up being found months later in my purse!! I'm proud that Anna decided to look on the positive side of this--she said that at least this experience gave her a chance to really get to know Rome well.