Rudesheim Christmas Market

Rudesheim just might be my favorite Christmas Market. And that is saying a lot considering we have been to over 30 or so. We usually go a few times before the season is over, and hit this one right after Thanksgiving. The best part about it is that it never seems crowded. And we've gone at various times. It's always quiet and quaint. I have some favorite stands, including delicious cooked mushrooms. And the Nativity Scene is the one of the best!

Bernkastel Christmas Market

Our first Christmas Market of the Season! I love that they started a week before Thanksgiving this year. That gives us plenty of time to hit a TON! I told Jeff that this year I was going Christmas Market crazy. I love Christmas markets for obvious reasons (shopping, food, smells, etc), but what I also love is the opportunity to visit small towns that we don't often visit (or have never been). This was our first time to Bernkastel, and it was super cute! The Christmas market was kind of small, but we bought some great Christmas gifts and enjoyed the sunshine. Many more to come!

Colosseum and Roman Forum

A trip to Rome is not complete without a visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum. We had been studying ancient Rome for quite a bit of time, so it was great for the kids to actually see everything we had learned. I was also grateful to learn the history behind so much in the Roman Forum! We had beautiful weather, not too many crowds, and of course gelato when it was all done ;)

Borghese Gallery

When I went to Rome a few years ago with my girlfriend, one of my favorite things all weekend was the Borghese Gallery. It's not as well known as the typical Rome sites, but the sculptures in this museum are incredible! I had talked it up so much that Jeff wanted to visit. I'm so glad we did because he thought it was the highlight of our four days, and Addy and Luke also enjoyed it. Bernini was such an incredible sculptor, the best in Art History! 

Bernini's statue of David, we haven't seen Michelangelo's yet, but hopefully we'll get to Florence to compare.

This was probably our favorite, such incredible detail!

Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica

Our 4-day trip to Rome began with a full day visiting the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican is the most impressive art museum in the World. No question. Yes, it's better than the Louvre. St. Peter's Basilica is also the most impressive church in the World. At least out of the ones we've seen (and it's in the hundreds). We took a leisurely stroll for about 3 hours through the museum. The kids actually enjoyed it, especially Addy who is quite an artist and enjoys studying art. We had studied Michelangelo for a few weeks leading up to our trip, and I really felt as if they appreciated his pieces. There is truly no greater piece of art in history as his Sistine Chapel artwork. And did you know that he stood up the entire time to paint the ceiling for 4 years? Most people believed he was lying down, but in fact he stood on a ladder and cranked his neck for 4 years. Makes it even more impressive! 

The kids enjoyed a scavenger hunt in the Vatican:

So you are not supposed to take pictures in the Sistine Chapel, but I snuck one:

St. Peter's Basilica:

This was the kids' favorite piece of art in the Pinoteca of the Vatican:

Basilica at night, so pretty:

Inside the Basilica, hard to really appreciate how spectacular it is in photographs:

Michelangelo's famous Pieta: