Rome Highlights – The Spanish Steps and All Things Vatican
Rome is a remarkable city where ancient history collides with vibrant modern life. Its iconic sites, like the Colosseum and Vatican, alongside charming spots such as the Spanish Steps, make it a fascinating destination. Visitors are encouraged to explore local cuisine, be aware of pickpockets, and embrace the city’s rich culture at a leisurely pace.
Gladiators and the Colosseum
Imagine…it’s the first century. The hungry crowds are clamoring to catch a glimpse of the gladiators, sometimes slaves, more often criminals, or even prisoners of war! Occasionally there were free men (and even women), who longed for the glory, the praise, the spotlight. Wedged in tightly between 50,000 of their closest friends, the crowd erupts as the first animals and/or gladiators appear out of nowhere, emerging from hidden trap doors and a complex set of lifts, ropes, and pulleys. The excitement is palpable! The Colosseum, completed in 80 AD, was used mainly for gladiator… Read More
Football, Friends, and Family
Let’s take a moment to step away from Italy. I promise we’ll return…and up next will be the Colosseum and more about the Gladiators! I just wanted to share one of the biggest joys of being back in the States again! For the first time, our oldest son had an opportunity to play football and he loved it. The truth is, we all loved it. It was made all the more special, however, when his grandparents (who live 12 hours away in Pennsylvania) surprised him by showing up at the last game… Read More
Hidden Intrigues of Piazza Navona, Rome
Meandering through the narrow, cobbled streets of Rome late one evening, we stumbled upon this masterpiece of a location… Piazza Navona! It is a spectacular piazza, filled with gorgeous architecture, open air restaurants, musicians, vendors, and “starving” artists. It also boasts a beautiful fountain designed by the renowned Bernini, and named Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (aka the Fountain of the Four Rivers). The story of Bernini and his Fountain of the Four Rivers alone is quite fascinating, though there are several versions. Bernini was one of the most talented artists of his… Read More
The Refugee Crisis: Stepping into the Story
As we slowly say good-bye to the Middle East, to Turkey, Jordan, Israel, and Greece and head farther west, it’s impossible to not take time to reflect on the Syrian Refugee Crisis that has been intensifying over the past four plus years and affecting all of these countries and more. While in the above mentioned countries, we enjoyed the history, century-old traditions, the cultures, and delicious food. And let’s not forget the fresh hummus, the lamb gyros and falafel, or the creamy Gelato. Our memories are intense and we were at times overwhelmed by the… Read More
Santorini – Of Birthdays and Gelato
Celebrating Mikayla’s 15th birthday on the island was extra special this year! Here’s a little photoblog to capture the moments. Just before sunset, we wandered around Oia, trying to capture the beauty. It’s been special watching Mikayla’s love for photography grow. It’s a neat hobby we share together and I’m excited to see where it takes her. After exploring, Ryan and I took Mikayla out on the town for our traditional Dad/Mom two-on-one date. We treasure this time alone with our kids as a couple. We chose a restaurant overlooking the Caldera and watched… Read More
The Donkeys of Santorini – April 2015
And I’m finally back with a few more shots from Santorini! Re-entry has been wonderful yet time-consuming but I’m committed to finish what I started. So…please hang in there with me. First, the donkeys of Santorini. They are everywhere and often found transporting people up and down the 600 plus steep stairs that start at the water and ascend into the town of Fira. While they are absolutely adorable and the thought of riding them up from the port can be very enticing, the situation for the donkeys is very similar to… Read More
Santorini and the Gorgeous Village of Oia – April 2015
When you fall in love, you can become a little obsessed. You think about the object of your affection, you daydream about it, and you count the days until you can be together again. That’s how it was for me…and Santorini. As I shared before, it was Love at First Sight! How can I resist thinking or talking about it? As a result, you’ll probably see a few more posts on this destination before I am willing or able to move on. Today I wanted to share my love for the village of Oia…. Read More
Santorini – Love at First Sight, April 2015
“What was your favorite destination?” We’ve been asked this question numerous times as we journeyed around the world and increasingly more now that we’ve returned. It’s almost impossible to answer this question, as we loved so many different countries and cities for several unique reasons. But, if I were forced to choose one, for the beauty alone…I think I’d have to choose Santorini, a small, friendly island off the coast of Greece. From the moment I set eyes on this island, it was “Love at First Sight.” Years ago, Ryan had the opportunity to visit Santorini… Read More
Athens: Ancient Greek Myths and Modern Financial Crises
Greece. It’s a country I’ve always wanted to visit. My desire to explore Athens especially grew when I began homeschooling Mikayla and Ryan in first grade. I have to admit it was also when I discovered how amazing history could be. Until then, I’d thought the subject rather boring, as my history teachers seemed to fall into a catatonic state cracking open our old history books. As I began to share fun Greek myths during story times, or teach them about the birth of democracy, and about philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and… Read More
Deena Gainor
Six Hearts One Journey 
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