The Country of San Marino

 You learn something new every day! I knew Vatican City was its own country within Italy, but I had no idea that San Marino was also its own country within Italy. It is the 5th smallest country in the world and is the old Republic in the world as well! We parked at the bottom and took the cable car up to the towers. It was Kiwi's first ride on the cable car and the only rule was that she had to wear a muzzle during the ride (not a big fan - ha ha). Kiwi got a taste of what it is like for us to wear masks all day. She also had her first museum experience! (it is so great because dogs are allowed everywhere here!). We visited 2 of the 3 towers - the 3rd was closed, but we were able to get pictures). The country only has 30,000 residents and they elect 2 presidents a year. Truly an amazing society. We even met a lady whose family had emigrated to the U.S., but decided to move back to their little country. Such amazing history and such amazing views!!

Their parliament building

 

Ponte Avis Tibetan Bridge

We took a fun hike to the Ponte Avis Tibetan Suspension Bridge. It is about an hour drive to the mountains, and about 20 degrees cooler (which was great on such a hot day - but we definitely a bit cold without sweatshirts!). There is a beautiful hike through the trees up to the bridge. Kiwi joined us and found herself a stick to keep her entertained - ha ha! It was ridiculously big, yet she carried it the entire way back down the mountain - so funny! Bryan opted not to cross the bridge, but so graciously watched Kiwi while Mia and I made our way (a little daunting when you looked down, but an experience for sure!). We love all of the little treasures that are found everywhere here -a fun day!

Love these 3!

 A bit large, but she wouldn't let it go! :-)

So excited to see where we end up!

Ponte Avis

Making her way across the bridge

We didn't see any cows, but I was on the lookout!

Mia!

You can get a sense of the steepness of the mountain...

Reminds me of a foggy sound of Music!! :-)

So pretty!

A great day!

 

Beautiful Vicenza

Vicenza is such a pretty town! Every where you look there is something adorable to see. As the covid numbers are reducing and things are opening up, we are loving all of the benefits of living in this city and being able to walk everywhere. Truly adorable!
 

White Water Rafting

One of our friends told us about a fun opportunity, about an hour away - just north of Bassano del Grappa - White Water Rafting! Even with a severe language barrier, I was able to schedule and we were able to get all of the information needed to go. Such a different experience (liability wise), then we are used to back home. We shared a boat with 1 other group - the guide suggested we play a game where one person stands on the very front of the boat, while the rest of us paddle in circles trying to knock the person off - so funny! We had so much fun - even in the freezing cold water (luckily, we had wet suits). Mia loved it too! They even took photos for us along the route and sent them to us for keepsakes - a great time!! *the area was a host to an Olympic sport (although we couldn't quite figure out which one - translation was a bit off - ha ha!!) 

 

Friends!!

We had such a nice time with our friends from Germany! They were our first overnight guests since we have lived here and it was so much fun just having some normalcy to life after such a long stretch of covid craziness. My friend, Leigh and I had been to Verona together on a girls trip several years back, so it was especially fun going back again, this time with the guys and Mia. They have a little puppy too, and Kiwi and he got along great! So much fun!