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Checking out Schloss Marienburg

castles · Europe · Germany · Travel

Checking out Schloss Marienburg

We needed a place to stop to stretch our legs on our way home after leaving Wernigerode. I looked up a few places and one caught my eye: Schloss Marienburg….

Read More Checking out Schloss Marienburg

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🦄 When in Budapest: eat at a unicorn bistro!

🦄 When in Budapest: eat at a unicorn bistro!

⫸⫸ Do you know someone who would love this? Share this post with them and save it for your future trip to Budapest.

It doesn’t get more magical than this, especially if you have young kids.

Our kids (9, 7, and 5) had the time of their little lives at this place!

💡 Things to know:

🦄 It’s tiny inside, so make a reservation (looks like their website is down; give ‘em a call)

🦄 The food is actually pretty good, but just remember that you’re going for the ambiance and not traditional Hungarian food 👍

🦄 Grownups: get the color-changing “Illusionist” gin drink; your kids will be amazed it turns your drink from blue to purple, and my husband says it’s pretty good.

⫸⫸ Would you take a trip to this Unicorn Bistro?

📍@unicornbistro.hu

🦄 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.
#jesstagirlinHungary #BudapestWithKids #FamiliesLoveTravel #VisitBudapest #TravelBudapest #EuropeWithKids #HungaryWithKids #EasternEuropeTrip #unicornbistro #americanineurope

So there we were in Italy, wandering down charming

So there we were in Italy, wandering down charming and deserted streets—empty because it was "riposo" (aka the break in the afternoon when Italians close up their shops and rest)— when my youngest daughter stopped and begged me to take her picture. ⁠
⁠
"Mama, pleeeease," she asked, posing against a wall.⁠
⁠
I stopped, looked at where she was standing, and said, "NOPE. You're standing next to a trash can." 🗑⁠
⁠
She didn't even notice it, but it was bright yellow and I'm pretty sure I saw flies hovering...in February.⁠
⁠
I explained that when I take pictures I try to look at the surroundings, and standing next to a trashcan is a hard no for me. ⁠
⁠
Thankfully she got distracted by something else and started skipping along on her merry way.⁠
⁠
Not two minutes later I saw a directional signpost ahead of us and started fast-walking to check it out. ⁠
⁠
(Fun fact: nothing makes me happier while traveling than seeing a Vespa, street musicians, or one of those direction signposts—they're just so fun!)⁠
⁠
I started taking pictures of it when Maddie came up to me and said, "Um, you know you're taking pictures of a trash can, right?" ⁠
⁠
Well, crap. ⁠
⁠
She got me. She got me good. ⁠
⁠
The signs were, indeed, right behind a (much cleaner) trash can. ⁠
⁠
So when she asked me that time if I could take her picture in front of that trash can, I actually said yes. ⁠
⁠
🤣 And that's the story about how my (then) 7-year-old schooled me in Italy. ⁠
⁠
⁠
📸 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #sicily #travelstories #kidswhotravel #travelingwithkids #familytravel #parentswhowander #travelingkids #Familytrips #travelblogger #familytravelblogger #familytravelblog #americanineurope #travelwithkids #livingabroad #momswhotravel #girlswhotraveltheworld #expatadventures #expatblogger #travelmoms #milspouseblogger #expatexplore #milspouse #italywithkids #militaryfamilylife

🍝 Here's our biggest tip when it comes to eatin

🍝 Here's our biggest tip when it comes to eating in Italy with kids. ⁠
⁠
JUST ASK. ⁠
⁠
If you don't see something your kids would eat on the menu, just ask for something simple. ⁠
⁠
I won't lie, my kids are totally picky eaters these days, but they always found something to eat when we were in Italy. ⁠
⁠
🍕 Pizza's an easy meal, but sometimes we went to places that *gasp* didn't have pizza. ⁠
⁠
I'd look through a menu and start internally panicking about what they'd each want to eat and then catch myself for overreacting.⁠
⁠
Instead of going someplace more "kid-friendly," if we didn't see something for them on the menu, we'd simply ask if they could make something a little more simple for the kids. ⁠
⁠
And every single time we asked they didn't even bat a single charming Italian eyelash. ⁠Most of the time they were the ones who offered once we sat down (huge sigh of relief every time that happened)⁠
⁠
At least a handful of restaurants offered to make 🧄 aglio e olio (garlic and oil with parmesan cheese) and/or a classic and simple pomodoro 🍅 (tomato) or ragu sauce if it wasn't already on the menu. ⁠
⁠
*And for what it's worth, we're not gluten-free, but I noticed a lot of GF options everywhere we went. ⁠
⁠
Thankfully, the kids always tried what we (grownups) ordered, but they'd end up practically licking their own bowls clean instead. ⁠
⁠
Worst case: if they don't eat pasta or pizza, there's always gelato around the corner! ⁠
⁠
⫸⫸ Would your kids stick to simple dishes or try something more adventurous in Italy? ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
🍝 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #takethemeverywhere #havekidswilltravel⁠
#familytravel #familyvacation #travelwithkids #stressfreetravel #showthemtheworld #italywithkids

We need your help! Look through the pics and tell

We need your help! Look through the pics and tell us who posed in Pisa the best.⁠
⁠
Pic 1️⃣: Julia hugging and holding the tower⁠
Pic 2️⃣: Kenny using all his gains to push it back up⁠
Pic 3️⃣: Maddie giving it a hug⁠
Pic 4️⃣: Julia "smooshing" it. ⁠
Pic 5️⃣: Logan holding it in his hands⁠
Pic 6️⃣: Kenny pretending it's an ice cream cone⁠
Pic 7️⃣: Jess giving it a high five?⁠
Pic 8️⃣: Jess picking it up with just two fingers⁠
⁠
Want to do your own fun pics? Here are some tips:⁠
⁠
⦿ Have a lot of patience⁠
⁠
⦿ Show the kids how cool they look so they'll *want* to stay still.⁠
⁠
⦿ Have a helper⁠
⁠
⦿ Prepare to move around to get the angle ⁠
⁠
⦿ Snap those pics quickly⁠
⁠
⁠
📸 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #pisa #pisatower #pisaitaly #leaningtower #leaningtowerofpisa #americaninitaly #americanineurope #familyvacation #travelwithkids #travelgoals #traveltip #wheninitaly #italywithkids #showthemtheworld #lovetotravel #fulltimetravel#igersitalia

Then and now. I only wish I still had that black p

Then and now. I only wish I still had that black pair of TOMS. ⁠
⁠
(Who am I kidding...I do. I just found them in my closet). ⁠
⁠
First pic: circa July 2013, complete with an OG IG filter. ⁠
⁠
Wanna know the caption? It was pretty awesome: "Wine tasting rocks my socks off!" ⁠
⁠
I mean, I wasn't wrong 🤣⁠
⁠
Second pic: February 2023. I saw the barrel of corks just as we were leaving and couldn't resist snapping a pic. ⁠
⁠
The last time I went wine tasting in Tuscany I had a 4-month-old baby. This time we had three kids in tow. ⁠
⁠
Both times, Tuscany opened the kids with open arms. I love Italian hospitality…and wine 😍
⁠
⫸⫸Where is one place you would love to go back to visit?⁠

(Although the real question should be: what was the name of that OG filter I used on that picture 🤣) ⁠
⁠
📌 @castellodigabbiano
⁠
⁠
⁠
🍷 SAVE NOW, WINE LATER⁠
——— ⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #tuscany #tuscanywine #americanineurope #americaninitaly #wheninitaly #castellodigabbiano #chianticlassico #tuscanwine #tuscanwinery #parentswhotravel #gosomewhere

A decade ago my husband and I were driving around

A decade ago my husband and I were driving around Tuscany when we spotted a sign that looked familiar. ⁠
⁠
It was for the winery of a wine that we used to drink all the time back in America: Gabbiano. ⁠
⁠
This was in the middle of summer when you could just pop into pretty much any place and ask for a tasting. It was a fantastic experience, and so fun to indulge in one of our favorite wines from the source.⁠
⁠
Fast forward to our most recent trip to Italy. ⁠
⁠
We wanted to do a wine tasting in Tuscany again, but all the websites said they didn't start until mid/late March and we didn't have time to make a reservation since it was all so spur-of-the-moment.⁠
⁠
We decided to just start driving around to see if any were open. Turns out, our car steered its way back to Castello Gabbiano.⁠
⁠
At first, it looked like we'd be out of luck—the doors were locked and we didn't see anyone around. ⁠
⁠
But then the stars aligned and someone offered to open up shop for us with an impromptu wine tasting. ⁠
⁠
Their hospitality was generous, and the wine was even better. We even bought two cases to send home.⁠
⁠
Then we went to their restaurant on-site (where we were the only ones there; I swear they opened it just for us) and had one of the best meals. ⁠
⁠
The last time we were there we ate outside with a little terrace (see last 📸; one of the only ones I have from 10 years ago), so it was nice to eat at their restaurant, even if it was a lot fancier than we planned. ⁠
⁠
⫸⫸ Would you go winery hopping in Tuscany? Have you before? ⁠
⁠
⁠
🍷 SAVE NOW, WINE LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #tuscany #tuscanywine #americanineurope #americaninitaly #wheninitaly #travelgoals #travelblogger #castellodigabbiano #traveltuscanyitaly #chianticlassico #tuscanwine #tuscanwinery

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🦄 When in Budapest: eat at a unicorn bistro!

🦄 When in Budapest: eat at a unicorn bistro!

⫸⫸ Do you know someone who would love this? Share this post with them and save it for your future trip to Budapest.

It doesn’t get more magical than this, especially if you have young kids.

Our kids (9, 7, and 5) had the time of their little lives at this place!

💡 Things to know:

🦄 It’s tiny inside, so make a reservation (looks like their website is down; give ‘em a call)

🦄 The food is actually pretty good, but just remember that you’re going for the ambiance and not traditional Hungarian food 👍

🦄 Grownups: get the color-changing “Illusionist” gin drink; your kids will be amazed it turns your drink from blue to purple, and my husband says it’s pretty good.

⫸⫸ Would you take a trip to this Unicorn Bistro?

📍@unicornbistro.hu

🦄 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.
#jesstagirlinHungary #BudapestWithKids #FamiliesLoveTravel #VisitBudapest #TravelBudapest #EuropeWithKids #HungaryWithKids #EasternEuropeTrip #unicornbistro #americanineurope

So there we were in Italy, wandering down charming

So there we were in Italy, wandering down charming and deserted streets—empty because it was "riposo" (aka the break in the afternoon when Italians close up their shops and rest)— when my youngest daughter stopped and begged me to take her picture. ⁠
⁠
"Mama, pleeeease," she asked, posing against a wall.⁠
⁠
I stopped, looked at where she was standing, and said, "NOPE. You're standing next to a trash can." 🗑⁠
⁠
She didn't even notice it, but it was bright yellow and I'm pretty sure I saw flies hovering...in February.⁠
⁠
I explained that when I take pictures I try to look at the surroundings, and standing next to a trashcan is a hard no for me. ⁠
⁠
Thankfully she got distracted by something else and started skipping along on her merry way.⁠
⁠
Not two minutes later I saw a directional signpost ahead of us and started fast-walking to check it out. ⁠
⁠
(Fun fact: nothing makes me happier while traveling than seeing a Vespa, street musicians, or one of those direction signposts—they're just so fun!)⁠
⁠
I started taking pictures of it when Maddie came up to me and said, "Um, you know you're taking pictures of a trash can, right?" ⁠
⁠
Well, crap. ⁠
⁠
She got me. She got me good. ⁠
⁠
The signs were, indeed, right behind a (much cleaner) trash can. ⁠
⁠
So when she asked me that time if I could take her picture in front of that trash can, I actually said yes. ⁠
⁠
🤣 And that's the story about how my (then) 7-year-old schooled me in Italy. ⁠
⁠
⁠
📸 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #sicily #travelstories #kidswhotravel #travelingwithkids #familytravel #parentswhowander #travelingkids #Familytrips #travelblogger #familytravelblogger #familytravelblog #americanineurope #travelwithkids #livingabroad #momswhotravel #girlswhotraveltheworld #expatadventures #expatblogger #travelmoms #milspouseblogger #expatexplore #milspouse #italywithkids #militaryfamilylife

🍝 Here's our biggest tip when it comes to eatin

🍝 Here's our biggest tip when it comes to eating in Italy with kids. ⁠
⁠
JUST ASK. ⁠
⁠
If you don't see something your kids would eat on the menu, just ask for something simple. ⁠
⁠
I won't lie, my kids are totally picky eaters these days, but they always found something to eat when we were in Italy. ⁠
⁠
🍕 Pizza's an easy meal, but sometimes we went to places that *gasp* didn't have pizza. ⁠
⁠
I'd look through a menu and start internally panicking about what they'd each want to eat and then catch myself for overreacting.⁠
⁠
Instead of going someplace more "kid-friendly," if we didn't see something for them on the menu, we'd simply ask if they could make something a little more simple for the kids. ⁠
⁠
And every single time we asked they didn't even bat a single charming Italian eyelash. ⁠Most of the time they were the ones who offered once we sat down (huge sigh of relief every time that happened)⁠
⁠
At least a handful of restaurants offered to make 🧄 aglio e olio (garlic and oil with parmesan cheese) and/or a classic and simple pomodoro 🍅 (tomato) or ragu sauce if it wasn't already on the menu. ⁠
⁠
*And for what it's worth, we're not gluten-free, but I noticed a lot of GF options everywhere we went. ⁠
⁠
Thankfully, the kids always tried what we (grownups) ordered, but they'd end up practically licking their own bowls clean instead. ⁠
⁠
Worst case: if they don't eat pasta or pizza, there's always gelato around the corner! ⁠
⁠
⫸⫸ Would your kids stick to simple dishes or try something more adventurous in Italy? ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
🍝 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #takethemeverywhere #havekidswilltravel⁠
#familytravel #familyvacation #travelwithkids #stressfreetravel #showthemtheworld #italywithkids

We need your help! Look through the pics and tell

We need your help! Look through the pics and tell us who posed in Pisa the best.⁠
⁠
Pic 1️⃣: Julia hugging and holding the tower⁠
Pic 2️⃣: Kenny using all his gains to push it back up⁠
Pic 3️⃣: Maddie giving it a hug⁠
Pic 4️⃣: Julia "smooshing" it. ⁠
Pic 5️⃣: Logan holding it in his hands⁠
Pic 6️⃣: Kenny pretending it's an ice cream cone⁠
Pic 7️⃣: Jess giving it a high five?⁠
Pic 8️⃣: Jess picking it up with just two fingers⁠
⁠
Want to do your own fun pics? Here are some tips:⁠
⁠
⦿ Have a lot of patience⁠
⁠
⦿ Show the kids how cool they look so they'll *want* to stay still.⁠
⁠
⦿ Have a helper⁠
⁠
⦿ Prepare to move around to get the angle ⁠
⁠
⦿ Snap those pics quickly⁠
⁠
⁠
📸 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #pisa #pisatower #pisaitaly #leaningtower #leaningtowerofpisa #americaninitaly #americanineurope #familyvacation #travelwithkids #travelgoals #traveltip #wheninitaly #italywithkids #showthemtheworld #lovetotravel #fulltimetravel#igersitalia

Then and now. I only wish I still had that black p

Then and now. I only wish I still had that black pair of TOMS. ⁠
⁠
(Who am I kidding...I do. I just found them in my closet). ⁠
⁠
First pic: circa July 2013, complete with an OG IG filter. ⁠
⁠
Wanna know the caption? It was pretty awesome: "Wine tasting rocks my socks off!" ⁠
⁠
I mean, I wasn't wrong 🤣⁠
⁠
Second pic: February 2023. I saw the barrel of corks just as we were leaving and couldn't resist snapping a pic. ⁠
⁠
The last time I went wine tasting in Tuscany I had a 4-month-old baby. This time we had three kids in tow. ⁠
⁠
Both times, Tuscany opened the kids with open arms. I love Italian hospitality…and wine 😍
⁠
⫸⫸Where is one place you would love to go back to visit?⁠

(Although the real question should be: what was the name of that OG filter I used on that picture 🤣) ⁠
⁠
📌 @castellodigabbiano
⁠
⁠
⁠
🍷 SAVE NOW, WINE LATER⁠
——— ⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #tuscany #tuscanywine #americanineurope #americaninitaly #wheninitaly #castellodigabbiano #chianticlassico #tuscanwine #tuscanwinery #parentswhotravel #gosomewhere

A decade ago my husband and I were driving around

A decade ago my husband and I were driving around Tuscany when we spotted a sign that looked familiar. ⁠
⁠
It was for the winery of a wine that we used to drink all the time back in America: Gabbiano. ⁠
⁠
This was in the middle of summer when you could just pop into pretty much any place and ask for a tasting. It was a fantastic experience, and so fun to indulge in one of our favorite wines from the source.⁠
⁠
Fast forward to our most recent trip to Italy. ⁠
⁠
We wanted to do a wine tasting in Tuscany again, but all the websites said they didn't start until mid/late March and we didn't have time to make a reservation since it was all so spur-of-the-moment.⁠
⁠
We decided to just start driving around to see if any were open. Turns out, our car steered its way back to Castello Gabbiano.⁠
⁠
At first, it looked like we'd be out of luck—the doors were locked and we didn't see anyone around. ⁠
⁠
But then the stars aligned and someone offered to open up shop for us with an impromptu wine tasting. ⁠
⁠
Their hospitality was generous, and the wine was even better. We even bought two cases to send home.⁠
⁠
Then we went to their restaurant on-site (where we were the only ones there; I swear they opened it just for us) and had one of the best meals. ⁠
⁠
The last time we were there we ate outside with a little terrace (see last 📸; one of the only ones I have from 10 years ago), so it was nice to eat at their restaurant, even if it was a lot fancier than we planned. ⁠
⁠
⫸⫸ Would you go winery hopping in Tuscany? Have you before? ⁠
⁠
⁠
🍷 SAVE NOW, WINE LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #tuscany #tuscanywine #americanineurope #americaninitaly #wheninitaly #travelgoals #travelblogger #castellodigabbiano #traveltuscanyitaly #chianticlassico #tuscanwine #tuscanwinery

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