Fall Break 2019

We needed warm. And lazy rivers. And pool boys who bring you drinks. But, we also needed to get there with about 5,000 Southwest Airline miles, so when we stumbled on a fare to Austin and found a great resort in San Antonio, we pulled the trigger.

San Antonio was okay. But, our resort was amazing. So, a great week was had. We have quick pics of everything except my favorite experience which was a great kayak trip down the San Antonio river.

Day 1: Just get me there already!

Day 2: Bowling and eating cookie dough

Day 3: Pool time and escape rooms

 Day 4: The Witte museum, the tea gardens, downtown Riverwalk and the Alamo

Day 5: Kayak day of fun
Day 6: Safari wildlife drive, cavern tours, gem mining, pool time and tappas

Day 7: San Antonio market and animal show

 Day 8: Austin eats--landmarks and food trucks

Day 9: Heading home. They really do get along. Sometimes.

SB 19, Day 9

Today we traveled through the Alps to Montreux, Switzerland for breakfast at a 150 year old establishment. 

After that, it was a drive all day through the French countryside and small towns eating expensive Swiss chocolates and lemon tarts. 

We landed for our final night at the same resort we used last spring outside of Paris... even ending with a final swim in the same pool. 

Until next time, Europe. Until next time. 

SB 19, Day 8

We needed to cover some ground today, but at least the scenery was majestic as we did so. After breakfast, we left Verona via Milan and on to the French ski town of Chamonix. 

We planned on ascending the tallest mountain in Europe via the steepest lift, but it was cloudy. The cost to ascend was about $300, so it needed to be the view of a lifetime to warrant it. So, we opted for a walk around town, some shopping and some dinner. The only place open besides pizza, which we have had our fill of in Italy, was an American-inspired joint, but it was fantastic and fun as every skier coming off the mountain seemed to stop by for a drink. Then, we had waffles for dessert. 

We were expecting cold temps, but it was about 65 degrees at base camp. So, we ate outside one again as Bret drooled as skiers came back down the mountain. Bret would have loved to be one of them, as this is considered one of the best ski resorts in the world, but i told him that his good run in northern Michigan earlier this winter does not an Alp skier make. 

We rented an apartment for the night complete with private hot tub and view of Mt. Blanc. Not a bad way to spend the evening. 

(In almost every pic of Grant, you will notice he is holding something. It is the business card of the pasta maker we visited in Verona. Grant is on a personal mission to make sure they remain successful... or he is being a middle school boy. )

SB 19, Day 7

Today was a gorgeous day. 72, sunny and not a cloud in the sky. We had planned to go to a particular park outside of Verona. 

Problem was, every person within an hour radius also thought this was a good plan. We never even made it, declaring the traffic ridiculous. 

So we joined the other half of northern Italy at Lake Garda. It was gorgeous. We ate lunch on the water, strolled the alleyways, checked out the medieval fortress and ate gelato... which, by the way, is necessarily daily (at least according to Grant).

After that, we headed to a thermal hot spring. The region is littered with them, and we're felt quite local sunbathing and swimming in the warm spring. 

Ravenous, we headed to a small TripAdvisor find for dinner. The two owners split the cooking and waitstaff duties and were charmingly hospitable. We felt like old friends at the end of the night, and the food was sublime. 

We leave the warmth of Italy tomorrow with full bellies and a lifetime of memories. Into the cold once more...