Family Dinner.

Two words that make parents' trip to Europe absolutely worth the wait.



*Unfortunately, my dad was taking the picture, so you'll just have to imagine him sitting with us.

Piazza San Marco. Night Time.

Venice When Broke.

Experts say that Venice is sinking; however, this fall, it was not due to the weight of my wallet.  In fact, my pocketbook remains so full of air, it is better suited to be a flotation device than a money holder.  

This load was lightened even further when a 10-euro bill went missing from my wallet at the Pristina bus station.

{I know, I know; it's time for me to stop taking the bus in Kosovo.}

So as I waited for my parents to arrive in Venice, I spent a day and a half adhering to my 36-euro budget. Pretty freakin' hard to do in Venice — especially when my ideal vacation is to spend piles of euros on things like vintage wine, jewelry, and rich, authentic cuisine.

Basically, I had no choice but to make like a poor college boy on a first date and buy my parents some gourmet-looking pasta, sauce and cheese from a grocery store — along with some Italian wine with a pretty label.

{For the record, they were pretty impressed with the resulting meal, and my gesture made them feel right at home in Europe. If I were that poor college boy, I totally would have gotten to first base.}

But before my folks arrived, I still had time to kill, so I headed around town to explore a city darkened by clouds. But this overcast sky offered me a new perspective, and a sharp contrast from the last time I visited, when it was sunny and hot and sticky.

After falling in love {again} with Venice's decrepit beauty, I happened upon a free museum showcasing the works of Venetian composer Antonio Vivaldi. I have always loved the Four Seasons composer, mostly because he was a fellow red head.

Then, I took the obligatory transit over the Bridge of Sighs. The sight was so much clearer on this occasion. Though condemned Venetians may have wiped away tears as they glimpsed their bella citta one last time, I was used to mopping away sweat. 

 I had no time for sighs. At this point in my story, I had to Amazing-Race myself to the Piazzale Roma to meet my parents!

{Let's just say I wish I could have traveled by map, because the twists and wrong turns it took to get me to P. Roma left me dizzy and stumbling.}

Spritz, Spritz, Spritz It Up!

The Italian Spritz is the perfect sipper to enjoy after a long day of sightseeing and literary tourism in Verona, Italy.

This Prosecco and bitters drink began in Venice back when Venice was still part of the Austrian Empire. It's actually a remixed version of the Austrian Spritzer (equal parts of white wine and soda water).

And I loved this little Northern Italy gem, a lot.

Follow this simple recipe below to get your spritz on without needing to find your passport.

2 oz Prosecco

1.5 oz Bitter Liqueur like Aperol or Campari

2 oz Soda Water

Serve over ice in a wine glass.

Garnish with an orange slice.

Venetian Sea Squid.

Mr. Umbrella insist that I try this particular menu item while in Venice.

I agree. It looks like a pile of mud, but I absolutely swear that it is one of the best things I have ever, ever ate.

nn

Venice Love.

Venice is known for its picturesque canals, its orchestra cafes, its carnevale, its piazzas.

It's known for epitomizing romance.

Before we left, people warned me that I will either love the city or hate it.

Good news ... I loved it. All of it.

Venice, for Mr. Umbrella and I, was drinking great homemade wine, picnicking with fresh seafood next to a canal, enjoying a river cruise ride, sipping coffee in a cafe {for the record, Kosovo's coffee is way better}, watching the sunset over the Adriatic Sea, falling in love with Venetian Sea Squid {squid cooked in it's own ink sauce}, wandering around piazzas and back sidewalks, and walking amongst English-speaking tourists.

I love, that right now, I get to do day trips to Venice -- and to think, I used to think day trips to Keystone were great. ;)

Cheap Tix {To London and Venice}.

From Skopje, Macedonia, Venice, Italy is a 1 hour and 25 minute plane ride. It also cost approximately 30 euro when flying W!zz Air. We had no problems with W!zz Air at all, and the price is so worth the first-come, first-serve chaos. However, make sure your bags are under 10kg {about 22 pounds}, and you only get 1 carry on total! Also, you get no free drinks, snacks, or entertainment items, so plan in advance.

Same is true when flying RyanAir which we took to London. Always on time and easy, but no frills for no price!