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Incredible Summer Europe Journey

We had an unforgettable summer filled with epic adventures! We kicked things off with a day in NYC, then headed to Paris for a few days to share one of our favorite cities—and the place where we got engaged—with the girls. From there, we made our way to Split, Croatia, which became our home base for a month. After settling in, we took a stunning trip to Switzerland, soaking in its beauty, and returned to Croatia for a short break. Next, we ventured to Italy, exploring the incredible cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice before heading back to Croatia once again. We traveled far and wide, making memories every step of the way during this incredible adventure!

New York City 🗽

A Day in NYC

We kicked things off with a quick day in New York: Times Square, the M&M’s store, pizza and a few big-city treats before our flight to Paris.

A day in New York City before flying to Europe, summer 2024

Paris 🇫🇷

Bonjour, Paris!

Paris is one of our favorite cities, and the place where we got engaged, so sharing it with the girls was so special. Fresh pastries, views from the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe on day one.

Pastries, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (1 of 2), summer 2024
Pastries, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (2 of 2), summer 2024

The Louvre, Notre-Dame and Montmartre

We said hi to the Mona Lisa, saw Notre-Dame, relaxed on the lawn below Sacré-Cœur and watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night.

The Louvre, Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur and the Eiffel Tower at night (1 of 3), summer 2024
The Louvre, Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur and the Eiffel Tower at night (2 of 3), summer 2024
The Louvre, Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur and the Eiffel Tower at night (3 of 3), summer 2024

Croatia 🇭🇷

Hello, Split!

Then it was on to Split, Croatia, our home base for the month. Roman soldiers in Diocletian’s Palace, the big SPLIT sign on the waterfront and cooking together in our new kitchen.

Arriving in Split, Croatia and Diocletian’s Palace, summer 2024

Beach Days in Croatia

Crystal-clear Adriatic water, floaties, paddleboards and lots of time in the sea.

Beach days on the Adriatic in Croatia (1 of 2), summer 2024
Beach days on the Adriatic in Croatia (2 of 2), summer 2024

Exploring an Old Fortress

We climbed up to an old stone fortress with tunnels, towers and incredible views of the coast.

Exploring a hilltop fortress in Croatia, summer 2024

Island Hopping by Boat

A speedboat day out to the islands: wind in our hair, swimming stops in hidden coves and wandering the harbor towns.

Speedboat island-hopping day in Croatia (1 of 2), summer 2024
Speedboat island-hopping day in Croatia (2 of 2), summer 2024

Krka National Park

A boat ride up the river brought us to the famous waterfalls of Krka National Park. So green and so beautiful. We also got out on bikes for a fun ride.

The waterfalls of Krka National Park in Croatia (1 of 2), summer 2024
The waterfalls of Krka National Park in Croatia (2 of 2), summer 2024

Switzerland 🇨🇭

Lucerne

Next stop, Switzerland! We started in Lucerne with its famous wooden Chapel Bridge and the best Swiss ice cream.

Lucerne and the Chapel Bridge in Switzerland, summer 2024

Into the Alps

Scenic trains carried us up into the mountains, to little alpine villages with jaw-dropping views in every direction.

Riding trains into the Swiss Alps (1 of 3), summer 2024
Riding trains into the Swiss Alps (2 of 3), summer 2024
Riding trains into the Swiss Alps (3 of 3), summer 2024

Mountain Carts

One of the most fun things we did all trip: racing down the mountain on carts, passing cows along the way!

Riding mountain carts down the Swiss Alps, summer 2024

Alpine Hikes

Green meadows, wildflowers and snowy peaks. The hiking in Switzerland is unreal.

Hiking through alpine meadows in Switzerland (1 of 2), summer 2024
Hiking through alpine meadows in Switzerland (2 of 2), summer 2024

Kayaking a Turquoise Lake

We paddled out on the brightest turquoise lake we have ever seen, then wandered town for lunch.

Kayaking on a turquoise lake in Switzerland, summer 2024

Waterfall Valley

Waterfalls pour off the cliffs in the Lauterbrunnen valley, and we even got to see them thundering through the rock from the inside.

Waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen valley, Switzerland, summer 2024

Lakeside Days

Lazy days by the lake, ice cream, fondue-country treats and strolls through town.

Lakeside days in Switzerland (1 of 2), summer 2024
Lakeside days in Switzerland (2 of 2), summer 2024

Paragliding Over the Alps!

The big one: paragliding over the mountains and lakes of Interlaken. Talk about a view! Then a swim at the lake to cool off.

Paragliding over Interlaken and swimming in the lake (1 of 2), summer 2024
Paragliding over Interlaken and swimming in the lake (2 of 2), summer 2024

Croatia 🇭🇷

Back to Croatia

Back to our Croatian home base for a short break of sunsets, swimming and island beaches.

Back in Croatia for sunsets and beach days (1 of 2), summer 2024
Back in Croatia for sunsets and beach days (2 of 2), summer 2024

Italy 🇮🇹

Rome

Ciao, Italia! In Rome we toured the Colosseum, tossed coins in the Trevi Fountain, climbed the Spanish Steps and ate all the pasta.

The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps in Rome (1 of 4), summer 2024
The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps in Rome (2 of 4), summer 2024
The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps in Rome (3 of 4), summer 2024
The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps in Rome (4 of 4), summer 2024

Florence

Florence stole our hearts: gelato every day, giant sandwiches from All’Antico Vinaio, Michelangelo’s David, sunsets over the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio.

Gelato, David, the Ponte Vecchio and sunsets in Florence (1 of 5), summer 2024
Gelato, David, the Ponte Vecchio and sunsets in Florence (2 of 5), summer 2024
Gelato, David, the Ponte Vecchio and sunsets in Florence (3 of 5), summer 2024
Gelato, David, the Ponte Vecchio and sunsets in Florence (4 of 5), summer 2024
Gelato, David, the Ponte Vecchio and sunsets in Florence (5 of 5), summer 2024

Venice

Water taxis, gondola rides under the bridges, the Rialto, a glassblowing demo and a celebration with cake. Venice was pure magic.

Gondolas, water taxis and the Rialto in Venice (1 of 4), summer 2024
Gondolas, water taxis and the Rialto in Venice (2 of 4), summer 2024
Gondolas, water taxis and the Rialto in Venice (3 of 4), summer 2024
Gondolas, water taxis and the Rialto in Venice (4 of 4), summer 2024

Croatia 🇭🇷

One Last Croatian Summer Stretch

We finished the trip back in Croatia with cliff jumps into the sea, old-town walls, a swing at sunset and dinners with friends. We traveled far and wide and made memories every step of the way!

Cliff jumping, old towns and sunsets to end the summer in Croatia (1 of 3), summer 2024
Cliff jumping, old towns and sunsets to end the summer in Croatia (2 of 3), summer 2024
Cliff jumping, old towns and sunsets to end the summer in Croatia (3 of 3), summer 2024
Come along for the next one. Grandma's memoirs My Life: In Bits and Pieces Click here ›