Day trip to Edinburgh

Really cool city! We definitely should have spent a night or two here but it was last minute and the accommodation was just insanely expensive (400 pounds for a hostel bed type expensive)
Jaxon lovedBaca lagi
Urquhart Castle and the Loch Ness

Of course, we needed to see more castles and Urquhart was a great place to visit. As hard as I looked I didn't find the Loch Ness monster.
Castle Frasier

Today we get to have a drive around; I booked a car rental and did some driving with the Gordan's in their own car.
Was nice to drive again after a month+ although why are the indicators on the leftBaca lagi
Balmoral

Another driving day and Balmoral was our first stop. An amazing spot and the gardens are beautiful. Ericka was imagining herself in "The Crown" for a little bit 👸🏻
Stonehaven

Next stop was the coastal town of Stonehaven. We really take our beaches in Adelaide for granted haha
What has been amazing so far is that the weather here in Scotland has been absolutely perfect forBaca lagi
It’s good to be back in London

We caught the train from Aberdeen to London and there's something about London that is hard to put into words for me. It feels so good to be back and exploring the South Bank area with Ericka, JaxonBaca lagi
Buckingham palace

Ericka's "The Crown" tour continues with a visit to Buckingham Palace. It's so good to be walking around long again
British museum

It's started to rain a little but that wont dampen our moods! We caught the tube to the British Museum and had a walk around. There was people absolutely everywhere which is a challenge with twoBaca lagi
Around London

More walking and a quick-fire snapshot of London from the London Eye to Big Ben to Trafalgar Square and more.
I have been especially surprised at the cost of living since my last visit. It feels likeBaca lagi
London eye

Every time I have visited London I've thought of doing the London Eye experience but was always put off by the queue and the cost.
This time is different because we're travelling as a family and IBaca lagi
Natural history museum

Today is for the kids (and me) but starts with a trip to the Natural History museum. We went along with the Gordan's but that didn't last long as Chloe bolted as soon as we got inside haha
JaxonBaca lagi
Science museum

Second stop was the Science museum but unfortunately we didn't get past the space exploration area haha Jaxon was just in absolute heaven with the large planet display - ensuring that everybody aroundBaca lagi
The White Hart

There was absolutely no way we were going to visit London and not have a pub meal! Ericka found this cool little pub around the corner and the meal was great.
The beer was questionable (room temp forBaca lagi
Grandaaaaaad! Nonnnna!!!!

Yesterday we left London and caught the train out to Clacton-on-Sea where I have family (that I've never met). Most importantly though; this is where we will connect with Grandad, Nonna and NannaBaca lagi
Relaxing with family

This part of the trip is all about family; I'm excited to meet this side of the family because I've heard stories and names but haven't had the opportunity to meet them.
I am struggling a little withBaca lagi
Visiting family in Maldon

Got to visit our family in Maldon; such a cute town and a great spot for a garden coffee and treat
Hide and seek and other games

Jaxon loved meeting his cousins and learning how to play hide and seek! Was so special to see all the kids running around together.
Didn’t quite make it to Rome

Today we left the UK and made our way to Rome, Italy. It was just special to meet the family; I have always loved my time in the UK in the past but I can say that I have a much stronger connection toBaca lagi
Chris’s walking tour of Rome part 1

I was so excited to get back to Rome and even though we only had one day there I wanted Ericka to experience as much as possible so I planned a walking tour to hit all the importantBaca lagi
Chris’s walking tour of Rome part 2

We finished off our walking tour and Ericka really enjoyed herself (I hope)
Quick trip to the Vatican

We just had to include a visit to the Vatican on the walking tour; another country for Ericka to visit but we will need to return and spend more time.
Loving Rome; even if just for a day

Ohhhh my coffee... thank goodness ☕️😃
Our first stop in Sicily is Palermo 🚆

After a fast-tracked, tiring visit to Rome we caught the overnight train from Rome to Palermo.
We had a little trouble with Google Maps taking us to a "shortcut" that resulting in some very roughBaca lagi
Agrigento

Our next stop in Sicily is Agrigento; it's a bit of a sleepy town but the Apartment was really cool and the town is lovely.
Still enjoying the coffee and the food is good (when it's open). We'reBaca lagi
Valley of the Temples

A short bus trip from Agrigento is the Vally of the Temples; you can almost feel the history here. It's an amazing site and we were fortunate to do our tour during dusk; it was just beautiful!
JaxonBaca lagi