We took this walk last year it's about a 15 minute drive from Belluno at the base of the Dolomites click the link to see the photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/HMItaly/BellunoHike10905
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Venice pictures
Go here to see pictures of Venice and the end of Carnevale
http://picasaweb.google.com/HMItaly/Carnevale07
http://picasaweb.google.com/HMItaly/Carnevale07
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Driving in Italy Part One
First most of my comments are directed towards the northern part of Italy. I have driven to the South but only along the East coast not in any of the cities. This part is just a general discussion. Part 2 will be more about rules of the road.
So, first I have driven a lot here over a period of many years of visits and now nearly two years of living here. We are making almost monthly trips from Belluno to Milan for our daughters orthodondist appointments and that is where Lusia's parents live most of the time. Driving here is not so different from driving in the US a few rules are different and some people tend to drive much faster on the Autostrada. Generally, though sometimes it may not seem that way no one wants to have an accident. And Italian drivers even or especially the ones driving fast pay a lot of attention to their driving. You don't see them eating a hamburger and fries while driving 150 k/hr.
Even though there is great public transportation driving a car is still the most efficient way to get around. It is possible to get around without one and if coming for a tour of Italy one sticks to the larger cities one can do well without one. And also if one is in a large city like Milan parking can be such a problem that public transportation becomes the best choice when possible. But once one gets out of the more dense areas moving about without a car can be a problem.
I will close this part by saying that if you are thinking of visiting Italy and want to get around as freely as possible don't hesitate to rent a car and drive.
So, first I have driven a lot here over a period of many years of visits and now nearly two years of living here. We are making almost monthly trips from Belluno to Milan for our daughters orthodondist appointments and that is where Lusia's parents live most of the time. Driving here is not so different from driving in the US a few rules are different and some people tend to drive much faster on the Autostrada. Generally, though sometimes it may not seem that way no one wants to have an accident. And Italian drivers even or especially the ones driving fast pay a lot of attention to their driving. You don't see them eating a hamburger and fries while driving 150 k/hr.
Even though there is great public transportation driving a car is still the most efficient way to get around. It is possible to get around without one and if coming for a tour of Italy one sticks to the larger cities one can do well without one. And also if one is in a large city like Milan parking can be such a problem that public transportation becomes the best choice when possible. But once one gets out of the more dense areas moving about without a car can be a problem.
I will close this part by saying that if you are thinking of visiting Italy and want to get around as freely as possible don't hesitate to rent a car and drive.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Air Travel With Children
Traveling with children
I wrote this a few years ago, but nothing much has changed.
People who know us and know that we travel a lot with our children sometimes ask us for some hints as to what to take and how difficult is it. You see my wife’s family lives in Italy and I have older children from a previous marriage living far from us. In the last year we have traveled from San Diego with our 4 and 2 year old children twice to Italy, once to Tahiti and once to New Zealand. Our two little ones have been traveling with us mainly to Italy once or twice a year since they were just a couple of months old.
So what are the secrets to easily traveling with babies and toddlers and what about all the advice generally given. What works and what doesn’t? That is what I hope to answer is this short article.
First one must consider that age of the child. As children change so quickly over the first few years so do their needs and manageability when traveling. Also consider the length of the trip number of stops, and the possibility of getting stuck in an airport or overnight somewhere.
Now let’s get started. Stroller, car seats, backpack, toys, books, etc. which to bring and which not, depends upon where you are going and what will be available when you get there. If traveling by car at your destination, you have to bring the car seat. We bought a big nylon duffle bag to put two in and checked it in as baggage. But now when traveling to Italy we have the grandparents supply them when we get there, same with the stroller. You will need it, if you need it at home so either bring yours or have one available at your destination. The good news is that you can keep your baby in the stroller right up to the gate of most airlines. Then they will stow it in baggage for you and deliver it back to you just as you get off the plane. But be sure to mention it when you check in so it has the proper tags. You will either get it tagged at the counter or at the gate counter. It depends on the airline. Then you can use it while waiting to board.
With a young baby every parent already has the basics for the flight packed in that trusty diaper bag – diapers, pacifier, bottles, formula, wipes and changes of clothes. Not much more is needed for the trip other than enough of everything for the anticipated time in route. The breastfeeding mom has a bit of an advantage here as she does in all the other good things about breastfeeding. For babies on formula the powdered kind is most convenient as it is light and easy to pack. Bring some bottled water to last through the airport wait and then on the plane you can ask for a bottle of water and ask the flight attendant to warm the mixture up for you. Flight attendants are most helpful for a couple of reasons. One is that they want to make you and your baby comfortable, the other perhaps more important to them is that if you your baby is happy (meaning quiet) the other passengers are also happy. One can sometimes see the fear in the eyes of passengers near you as you approach with that cute yet potentially screaming little bundle of joy. And they will sometimes thank you at the end of a long flight in which you have made the heroic effort to keep your baby happy and calm.
How do you do you keep your baby calm during the flight. It starts at the ticket counter. You will have seats already assigned, but the airlines on international flights generally reserve seats behind a bulkhead for passengers who are either handicapped or traveling with an infant. In fact these bulkheads usually have a place for a small baby bed to be used during the flight. So as you check in tell them you would like the bulkhead row. Insist on it in a nice way. Getting to the airport early helps here as these seats are only given out at the airport on a first come first served basis. Bulkhead rows will have more legroom and no one in front of you reclining their seat all the way back. They become in a way your private space, usually having enough room to let the kids stand up and move about a bit without bothering anyone else.
If your baby is less than two years old you don’t have to buy her a seat and will have to hold her in your lap during take off and landing. An odd rule here is that US airlines are not allowed to give you the seatbelt for your baby that would attach to yours but others, British Airlines for example, do. If you can afford to buy that extra seat you can bring your car seat along for the baby. We have never done this but once our kids were over two and we had to buy the seat I have to admit that it was much more comfortable.
The most troublesome part of traveling with a small one is the take off and descent for landing as the air pressure changes can cause pain in sinuses and ears if not relieved. The easiest way of relieving the pressure with a baby is to have her nurse during these two times. So a bit of timing with feeding is useful. The pacifier is also helpful. One can also consider with a doctors advice giving the baby a bit of decongestant or a nasal spray like Afrin. Other passengers have told us that messaging the neck just below the ears is helpful. In spite of all your efforts your baby may still be uncomfortable and cry during these periods. You will just have to comfort him as best you can and know he will feel better in a few minutes.
During the flight, what about all those toys and things that most travel advisers suggest you bring to keep the kids occupied. We tried that a few times and generally they just end up making a big mess, in your seats, and on the floor. The attention span of these little ones is too short for the toys to really be of use on a long flight. So be very selective. Don’t burden yourself with backpacks full of dolls, toys, and coloring books. You will already have to much to carry on and off the plane and don’t forget that when you return you will no doubt have more to carry than when you left. A couple of books and a favorite doll, soft toy and blanket just to give some sense of security, is about the best you can do. So what does one do when the kid gets cranky and bored; well it’s difficult. Most international flights now have tv entertainment which works pretty well for those a little older. For the baby it’s mostly a matter of drawing upon the tricks you use everyday, play with them, sing, caress them, carry them around the plane. Making the circular trip around the aisles works pretty well for part of the flight and gives you a good excuse to get up and move around. Don’t be afraid to get out of your seat and take advantage of the entire area of the plane you have access to. When food is not being served you can stand for a while in the areas near the exits or at the end of rows where the flight attendants hang out. Let them look out the little window in the door, or perhaps talk and play with a friendly fellow passenger.
Hopefully they sleep as much as possible. It can help to arrange your trip for a time when they usually sleep. With kids a little older a bit of antihistamine should make them drowsy. Try it at home to make certain that it doesn’t have the opposite effect.
You won’t be able to sleep or read like in the pre-baby days. But hey you’re used to that by now. You and your spouse can take turns. Working together, patience and the knowledge that the flight does have an end will see you through.
Your reward is the pleasure your children and distant relatives will have in being able to maintain the family connections. Our children are fluent in Italian and English and it’s such a pleasure to see them playing with their Italian cousins as if they were playing with kids down the street. I believe that these experiences at this early age will have a lasting benefit in mental development and awareness and understanding of the greater World around them. Or if just traveling on a family vacation to distant islands, your own experiences can be so much greater when you can share them with those you love.
I wrote this a few years ago, but nothing much has changed.
People who know us and know that we travel a lot with our children sometimes ask us for some hints as to what to take and how difficult is it. You see my wife’s family lives in Italy and I have older children from a previous marriage living far from us. In the last year we have traveled from San Diego with our 4 and 2 year old children twice to Italy, once to Tahiti and once to New Zealand. Our two little ones have been traveling with us mainly to Italy once or twice a year since they were just a couple of months old.
So what are the secrets to easily traveling with babies and toddlers and what about all the advice generally given. What works and what doesn’t? That is what I hope to answer is this short article.
First one must consider that age of the child. As children change so quickly over the first few years so do their needs and manageability when traveling. Also consider the length of the trip number of stops, and the possibility of getting stuck in an airport or overnight somewhere.
Now let’s get started. Stroller, car seats, backpack, toys, books, etc. which to bring and which not, depends upon where you are going and what will be available when you get there. If traveling by car at your destination, you have to bring the car seat. We bought a big nylon duffle bag to put two in and checked it in as baggage. But now when traveling to Italy we have the grandparents supply them when we get there, same with the stroller. You will need it, if you need it at home so either bring yours or have one available at your destination. The good news is that you can keep your baby in the stroller right up to the gate of most airlines. Then they will stow it in baggage for you and deliver it back to you just as you get off the plane. But be sure to mention it when you check in so it has the proper tags. You will either get it tagged at the counter or at the gate counter. It depends on the airline. Then you can use it while waiting to board.
With a young baby every parent already has the basics for the flight packed in that trusty diaper bag – diapers, pacifier, bottles, formula, wipes and changes of clothes. Not much more is needed for the trip other than enough of everything for the anticipated time in route. The breastfeeding mom has a bit of an advantage here as she does in all the other good things about breastfeeding. For babies on formula the powdered kind is most convenient as it is light and easy to pack. Bring some bottled water to last through the airport wait and then on the plane you can ask for a bottle of water and ask the flight attendant to warm the mixture up for you. Flight attendants are most helpful for a couple of reasons. One is that they want to make you and your baby comfortable, the other perhaps more important to them is that if you your baby is happy (meaning quiet) the other passengers are also happy. One can sometimes see the fear in the eyes of passengers near you as you approach with that cute yet potentially screaming little bundle of joy. And they will sometimes thank you at the end of a long flight in which you have made the heroic effort to keep your baby happy and calm.
How do you do you keep your baby calm during the flight. It starts at the ticket counter. You will have seats already assigned, but the airlines on international flights generally reserve seats behind a bulkhead for passengers who are either handicapped or traveling with an infant. In fact these bulkheads usually have a place for a small baby bed to be used during the flight. So as you check in tell them you would like the bulkhead row. Insist on it in a nice way. Getting to the airport early helps here as these seats are only given out at the airport on a first come first served basis. Bulkhead rows will have more legroom and no one in front of you reclining their seat all the way back. They become in a way your private space, usually having enough room to let the kids stand up and move about a bit without bothering anyone else.
If your baby is less than two years old you don’t have to buy her a seat and will have to hold her in your lap during take off and landing. An odd rule here is that US airlines are not allowed to give you the seatbelt for your baby that would attach to yours but others, British Airlines for example, do. If you can afford to buy that extra seat you can bring your car seat along for the baby. We have never done this but once our kids were over two and we had to buy the seat I have to admit that it was much more comfortable.
The most troublesome part of traveling with a small one is the take off and descent for landing as the air pressure changes can cause pain in sinuses and ears if not relieved. The easiest way of relieving the pressure with a baby is to have her nurse during these two times. So a bit of timing with feeding is useful. The pacifier is also helpful. One can also consider with a doctors advice giving the baby a bit of decongestant or a nasal spray like Afrin. Other passengers have told us that messaging the neck just below the ears is helpful. In spite of all your efforts your baby may still be uncomfortable and cry during these periods. You will just have to comfort him as best you can and know he will feel better in a few minutes.
During the flight, what about all those toys and things that most travel advisers suggest you bring to keep the kids occupied. We tried that a few times and generally they just end up making a big mess, in your seats, and on the floor. The attention span of these little ones is too short for the toys to really be of use on a long flight. So be very selective. Don’t burden yourself with backpacks full of dolls, toys, and coloring books. You will already have to much to carry on and off the plane and don’t forget that when you return you will no doubt have more to carry than when you left. A couple of books and a favorite doll, soft toy and blanket just to give some sense of security, is about the best you can do. So what does one do when the kid gets cranky and bored; well it’s difficult. Most international flights now have tv entertainment which works pretty well for those a little older. For the baby it’s mostly a matter of drawing upon the tricks you use everyday, play with them, sing, caress them, carry them around the plane. Making the circular trip around the aisles works pretty well for part of the flight and gives you a good excuse to get up and move around. Don’t be afraid to get out of your seat and take advantage of the entire area of the plane you have access to. When food is not being served you can stand for a while in the areas near the exits or at the end of rows where the flight attendants hang out. Let them look out the little window in the door, or perhaps talk and play with a friendly fellow passenger.
Hopefully they sleep as much as possible. It can help to arrange your trip for a time when they usually sleep. With kids a little older a bit of antihistamine should make them drowsy. Try it at home to make certain that it doesn’t have the opposite effect.
You won’t be able to sleep or read like in the pre-baby days. But hey you’re used to that by now. You and your spouse can take turns. Working together, patience and the knowledge that the flight does have an end will see you through.
Your reward is the pleasure your children and distant relatives will have in being able to maintain the family connections. Our children are fluent in Italian and English and it’s such a pleasure to see them playing with their Italian cousins as if they were playing with kids down the street. I believe that these experiences at this early age will have a lasting benefit in mental development and awareness and understanding of the greater World around them. Or if just traveling on a family vacation to distant islands, your own experiences can be so much greater when you can share them with those you love.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Good food in Venice
Whenever we go to Venice we eat at this place down a narrow walk a little hard to find. Luisa has been going there since she was a kid. You can stuff a family of four for 12 euro. Well that depends on appetites. You walk up and point to the things you want or if you speak Italian tell them, they hand it to you and then you find a place to sit amongst the crowd of locals and a few lucky tourists.
What I've always found interesting aside from the heavy deep fried food that I love is that they don't charge you up front. Even in crowded Venice, when you are done eating you just tell the guy what you ate and drank and pay.
Here is the approximate location: On the East side of the Rialto Bridge there is a little plaza, Campo San Bartolomia, from there walk a little more east near the end of the plaza turn left (north) on a little alley when you see the sign in the picture attached. We think the name of the street it's on is Calle della Bissa. Will have to check the names next time we are there. If you are coming from the train station just follow the Strada Nuova all the way around tell you get to the plaza. Or just follow signs to Rialto from wherever you are.
What I've always found interesting aside from the heavy deep fried food that I love is that they don't charge you up front. Even in crowded Venice, when you are done eating you just tell the guy what you ate and drank and pay.
Here is the approximate location: On the East side of the Rialto Bridge there is a little plaza, Campo San Bartolomia, from there walk a little more east near the end of the plaza turn left (north) on a little alley when you see the sign in the picture attached. We think the name of the street it's on is Calle della Bissa. Will have to check the names next time we are there. If you are coming from the train station just follow the Strada Nuova all the way around tell you get to the plaza. Or just follow signs to Rialto from wherever you are.
Note, don't go upstairs to eat unless you want regular restaurant prices and don't order anything that comes down from the restaurant. Just stick to the things you can see.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Paragliding in Italy
You drive to the end of the road going up a mountain above us. It takes maybe 20 minutes, the road should be one way, so one has to watch for traffic in the opposite direction then pull over so the two cars can pass. Then it's about a 20 min. hike to the spot where the paragliders take off. There is a nice flat area with a big view of Belluno and the surrounding area. We happened to meet Alberto who is a ski diving instructor here. I have talked with him a few times at the airport. He does the paragliding just for fun.
It was a warm, clear day with no clouds in the sky. We had a nice time with a little picnic and watched Alberto take off. He sailed around for half an hour or more then came back and landed in the spot he took off from. Said it was a little turbulent, but watching him it all looks so smooth and peacful. When we left he told he was waiting for a friend and would go up again.
It was a warm, clear day with no clouds in the sky. We had a nice time with a little picnic and watched Alberto take off. He sailed around for half an hour or more then came back and landed in the spot he took off from. Said it was a little turbulent, but watching him it all looks so smooth and peacful. When we left he told he was waiting for a friend and would go up again.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Summer begins today
Well not really, but for us today marks a mood change. This ski season has been a bit weird, plenty of snow in the mountains but none in the valley. So it's been hard to get in the mood. Never the less I managed to ski about 17 days, counting the two in Switzerland. Here in Belluno it's very warm today, at 5:15 this evening it's 74 f. outside. But since the final closing of the slopes is on Sunday, we took the day off to finish the ski season.
Turns out it was a lot of fun. We started for one spot but the lefts were closed so we went up ther road a bit farther and eventually skiied on the Mamolada which I think is one of or the highest point in the area at about 3,342 meters. I takes three gondolas to get there from the base, the first going almost vertical. I was always a bet afraid of it having never tired it and only riden up on the gondola in the summer when the view down is very long and steep. However, in reality it's just another intermediate run. The snow at the top was nearly perfect, the slopes wide and groomed with few skiiers and the views are too fantastic for me to describe. It was a short day as you can imagine with the warm weather the snow at the bottom can only be described as very heavy and wet.
So we closed out the season, finished skiing early had a nice cold beer and headed home. Now we can put the winter stuff away and get into the Summer frame of mind.
Turns out it was a lot of fun. We started for one spot but the lefts were closed so we went up ther road a bit farther and eventually skiied on the Mamolada which I think is one of or the highest point in the area at about 3,342 meters. I takes three gondolas to get there from the base, the first going almost vertical. I was always a bet afraid of it having never tired it and only riden up on the gondola in the summer when the view down is very long and steep. However, in reality it's just another intermediate run. The snow at the top was nearly perfect, the slopes wide and groomed with few skiiers and the views are too fantastic for me to describe. It was a short day as you can imagine with the warm weather the snow at the bottom can only be described as very heavy and wet.
So we closed out the season, finished skiing early had a nice cold beer and headed home. Now we can put the winter stuff away and get into the Summer frame of mind.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Easter in Italy
It's Monday the day after Easter. This is a national holiday in Italy so it's pretty quiet. The weekend and holiday gets a mixed review. Very good in general but bad in that there was a virus running through the family.
Erin our daughter who lives in Switzerland arrived late Thursday night about an hour after the virus hit me and I had to go to bed. Next day I was out. Luisa too wasn't feeling so good. Erin wanted to buy a stroller for her coming baby in Italy so luckily she found what she wanted on Friday and spent the rest of the day studying the complex workings of a modern stroller. Amazing how detailed they are. While, I groaned on the couch.
But Saturday was a pretty good day for everyone. It was sunny and warm. All the kids had fun playing in the yard, and we did a tour of the open market in town. Bad news came Saturday night when Erin and Ueli both got the fast moving virus in spite of having taken precautions. Luckily Davis did not get it.
Sunday, Easter a day of recovery for some. The mass at our church was nice. I always like going to the one that is geared towards the families with kids, the choir is accompanied by teenage guitar players and the singing is pretty lively. It has a nice warm feeling.
Erin our daughter who lives in Switzerland arrived late Thursday night about an hour after the virus hit me and I had to go to bed. Next day I was out. Luisa too wasn't feeling so good. Erin wanted to buy a stroller for her coming baby in Italy so luckily she found what she wanted on Friday and spent the rest of the day studying the complex workings of a modern stroller. Amazing how detailed they are. While, I groaned on the couch.
But Saturday was a pretty good day for everyone. It was sunny and warm. All the kids had fun playing in the yard, and we did a tour of the open market in town. Bad news came Saturday night when Erin and Ueli both got the fast moving virus in spite of having taken precautions. Luckily Davis did not get it.
Sunday, Easter a day of recovery for some. The mass at our church was nice. I always like going to the one that is geared towards the families with kids, the choir is accompanied by teenage guitar players and the singing is pretty lively. It has a nice warm feeling.
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