Italy.... Been there done that.

Florence was amazing. We have realized what small town kids we really are. Rome was busy and glorious all in the same breath but when we arrived in Florence it was fabulous, it is almost as if the world slows down there a bit. We managed to hit up a market and wander around all of the key sites, as Jake said countless times ´more old stuff` but by the end of the time in Florence Tara and I were ready for a change of pace. We managed to run from an art museum to a church (we have seen a TON of beautiful catholic churches, and we have yet to manage to run into a lutheran one) to the market to some gardens to a view just before sunset from the top of the city to a place where the lady we stayed with told us to go. FABULOUS! We also decided that we manage to find the best place to eat in Italy... about time since we have been here for nearly a week. So far we have only been able to rave about the dessert but this time we can rave about the GLORIOUS food we ate. Basically our diet has consisted of: bread of some sort, preferably a crossant for breakfast, pizza or pasta for lunch, gelato-ice cream for a snack, and pizza or pasta for dinner, and then either ice cream again or chocolate. Now dont get me wrong it is glorious to say the least but being good Dakota kids we are all craving a good steak fresh off the grill.
Venice is amazing. There are canals everywhere. Jake and Tara managed to take a gondola ride too while we were there. We spent one afternoon laying on a BEAUTIFUL sand beach along the ocean. We also navigated the canals, ate ice cream, pizza and pasta, and wandered around the tiny alley ways. Due to a tip from Jakes sister we manage to make a trip out to an artisan island today where they specialize in glass blowing. They make some beautiful creations to say the least, most of which cost way more money than we could even fathom but was amazing to see none the less. We also manage to squeeze in a few ice cream cones in Venice as well. Yes there is a trend in our ice cream consumption but we justify it by walking a handful of miles every day to explore the cities around us. OH SO MUCH FUN!!!
We are currently in Austria for the next couple days, then it is off to Munich, and back to Amsterdam completing our circle and whirlwind tour of Europe. Jake comes home the 15th, Sarah the 18th, and Tara the 20th. We rejoice that we are not finished yet and that Tara and Sarah still have a few more days to cause trouble in yet a few more countries and that it will be bitter-sweet to say the least to come home. Looking forward to catching up with everyone for sure!!
Love from Austria to ya all!