El Carnaval de Venice

Italy is easily one of my favorite countries. I am in love with its culture, scenery, and overall beauty. There is just something charming and enchanting about Italy. In early February Josh and I went to Venice to experience El Carnaval, one of Italy's most popular festivals. 

I love the history of the Carnival. The festival was known as either a time when titles were stripped away and commoners were able to mingle among the elites or as a night where one could live as their alter ego. 

The first night of our arrival, we attended a masquerade ball. Before the ball, we went to get fitted for our costumes. It became very clear very quick that I would not be fitting into a fancy dress that required a corset, my baby was not willing to be squished for the evening. So I was dressed in a petty coat and Josh was dressed as the magician of the ball.

We had a gondola take us to the ball, it was a grande entrance!

Josh trying on his costume for the evening. He was the magician of the ball. His outfit was complete with a mask. At the ball we mingling with others, enjoyed a delicious meal, listened to Opera, and danced the night away. 

St. Mark's basilica in the early morning.

Doge's Palace

Street vendors lined the street during the festivities.

Each night we would happen upon this rag-tag group. They were such a lively band.

On our second day we took time to just get lost and explore the winding streets of Venice. We stopped at cafes and shops. We also took in all of the Carnaval's offerings. We witnessed sword fights, parades, and watched as people walked the cobbled stone streets in their masks.

The costumes were absolutely stunning!

She was my favorite!

St. Marco's Square

On our last day, Josh and I decided to explore the islands of Venice. We went to Murano and saw the glass workers, but our favorite island was Burano.

In Burano, the houses lining the street were vibrant colors and very charming. 

Baby pose!

Our gondola ride took us through the winding waterways through Venice and ended on the Grand Canal.

Sunset gondola ride. It was a perfect way to finish our trip !

A Quick Getaway to Budapest

Because we are in our less than a year left in Ireland countdown, Josh and I have been diligently focused on making sure we see everything and accomplish everything before we move home. Once discovering we were pregnant, we realized our travel time was cut in half. So recently Josh and I booked a last minute extended weekend and flew over to Budapest. We had a great time exploring the older city of Buda and the more modern side of Pest. There was a real sense of medieval times and the architecture of the old buildings were incredible. We enjoyed our trip and all the sites Budapest had to offer, but more then that, we loved chatting about how our life will be once our little bean arrives.

On our first night we did our exploring by night. Here is Josh in front of the Buda Castle. 

The Hungarian Parliament by night.

The Fisherman's Bastion was one of the most beautiful buildings.

Josh and me in front of the Fisherman's Bastion.

The Parliament by day.

This was one of our more relaxing trips, lots of naps were involved. I absolutely love that we are able to take quick getaways to amazing places.

I Love These Two

I don't know what it is, but lately my two loves have been extra cute and super snuggly. I just had to post a few pictures of Dax and Callie in their overly adorable state.

Just too cute!

Holding hands.

Smashing into one bed.

Favorite family photo!

Africa!

Recently Josh and I traveled down to South Africa to celebrate our friend's Thomas and Frances' wedding.   Our time was divided among game drives, craft markets and township tours, to the more cosmopolitan Cape Town.

Our first night was spent on a game reserve, in the Bush, amongst the wild animals. We went on an evening and early morning game drive and saw giraffes, wildebeest, and zebras.

Josh and I in the game drive jeep getting ready to spot some dangerous animals.

I think this picture illustrates the African Bush the best. The earth is very hilly and rocky with thorny bushes.

I think I love the zebra the most!

After our night in the Bush, we ventured to Kruger Park. This expansive park is larger than London and home to five of Africa's most dangerous animals (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino). Even though it is incredibly rare, given the park's large size, we were lucky enough to spot the Big 5.

A baby elephant charging our car in the Kruger Park. 

The baboons were a humorous bunch. Throughout our travels, the baboons would be spotted on the side of the road wrestling and grooming each other.
I love this picture with the baby hanging on. 

One of the township villages we visited.
We learned all about African traditional ways of living. We purchased crafts from the community stalls, watched women weave mats and make homemade bread, and visited a witch doctor.

Frances with the town's chief.

Craft stalls on the side of the road.

After our time in Johannesburg, we continued on to Cape Town. This town has gorgeous beaches, amazing restaurants, and stunning scenery.

Table Mountain blanketed in clouds

I honestly just love this picture because of the colors.

View of Table Mountain from the water.

Josh and I took a sailing cruise out to Robben Island, which was the prison that held Nelson Mandela. Even though we weren't able to make it onto the island to view the prison, we did spot some whales! 

Taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain.

Views from the top.

Views of Cape Town from Table Mountain.

Views of the harbor.
We were on our way to Cape Peninsula and Cape of Good Hope, the once believed most Southernly point in South Africa.

Cape of Good Hope and Dias Beach.

The coastline is very dramatic driving from Cape Point to Boulders Bay.

Penguins at Boulders Bay.

The wine region was simply stunning.

Josh and I after just enjoying delicious wine and lunch from a Michelin star restaurant.

Exploring Spier vineyard.

At the Spier hotel, we enjoyed; a traditional African dinner in the trees, face painting, and live music.

Colorful shanty towns.
The disparity between the rich and poor is staggering. These towns are constructed from sheet metal and other durable materials. 

From the safaris along the desolate landscape of the Bush, to the craft markets dotting the dramatic hillsides of Johannesburg, to the stunning coastline of Cape Town  - Africa has captured our hearts and exceeding all expectations.