Briscoe Family News: Europe Trip 2012

Dennis had some meetings in Italy in February and so he asked me if I wanted to go with him. Although February wouldn't be my first choice of times to go, I was smart and said I'd love to go. In the trip planning process, more and more work requests came in and so we ended up going to more places and a week trip turned into almost three weeks. While we were there, Europe experienced some of the coldest weather they had in 30 years. The canals in Holland froze over so that they could skate on them and there was snow as far south as Naples. So, it was very cold which took some of the pleasure out of the sight seeing experience. Luckily Dennis was willing to have cold hands so we have pictures to share.

We flew into Dusseldorf on Friday. After a quick meeting at the Krienbaum office and a stop to see Carolin and baby Elias, we headed to Holland. It felt good to be back in familiar territory. We stayed with Carlo and Armanda. It was wonderful. We visited many friends and shopped at favorite stores, and ate yummy food.

On Monday, Dennis had some meetings in the morning and then in the afternoon we drove to Gent, Belgium. The drive was a bit exciting because it was snowing and Dennis was tired. We made it eventually though and stayed in the apartment of our good friends, Ivan and Paula. Ivan's company sold Wescor equipment for many years and he has been our tour guide and host on several other occasions when we have been in Belgium.

The next morning, Dennis had a meeting and then Ivan took us out to see the sights of Gent and to a museum. In the evening we went to dinner at Steven and Natalie's house. They live in this great old "mansion" in the heart of Gent. They have been working for years on restoring it while still living in it with their 4 children and working long hours at their day jobs.

Stephen and Natalie

One of the cool things about their house is the attic. It is a huge space and although it still has a lot of work to be done, it has a rope bridge over to one little end of the very top and an bookcase stairs up to the other end. I so wish I had that space to remodel. Ooh, the fun I could have!

Dennis and I rode the tram into the center so we had a few minutes to click some pictures while waiting.

Businesses and housing in the heart of Gent

The medieval castle

From Gent we drove to the Puteaux suburb of Paris. Dennis had several days of meetings and since it was really cold, I spent my time either sitting in the office or wandering around the shopping center at LaDefense. We were able to go see the Poznanski family in their new home - the mission office.

On Friday, we flew down to Marseilles. Dennis had meetings in Signes (45 mins E) but we detoured just a bit to see the city and port.

Ile and Chateau D'If

The next day we headed into Italy. It seems like half the day was spent driving through tunnels as we made our way along the coast. It had snowed the night before so the roads were fairly empty. Our destination - Riomaggiore, the Southernmost of the Cinque Terra towns.

At the train station in Riomaggiori

Our room was on the second floor of a place overlooking the bay.

Walking up to the car (on our way to church in La Spezia)

Monday, we headed to Florence. We made a quick stop in Pisa. It was a clear day so we got some great photos.

I loved Florence. Our hotel was so close to everything that we could go out for a couple of hours and then go in and get warm before venturing out again. There were so many great things to see, I just wish it would have been a little warmer.

The Duomo

The fountains had ice.

Ponte Vecchio

We saw a lot of beautiful fur coats and hats

The Duomo front door

A view of Florence from Pizzale Michelangelo

A copy of the David statue at the Piazzale

From Florence we drove to Venice. It had been so cold that there was ice in the canals and along the bay. I don't think that there is much though that can take away the beauty and ambiance of the city. What an amazing place.

San Giorgio Maggiore

The Bridge of Sighs from the Doge's Palace to the prison

Doges Palace

The Gondolas were all covered up.

Clock Tower in Piazza San Marco

St. Mark's Basilica

The clock tower

View of the Basilica from across Piazza San Marco

After a quick 24 hours in Venice, we were off to Verona. This is where Dennis had meetings that brought us to Europe in the first place. I had several days to wander around. Verona is a great old city. It has the third largest Roman Arena in the world. It is also home to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Thanks to Romeo and Juliet, Verona is known as the City of Love and they put on a great Valentine's day celebration.