Travel blog
Merry Christmas Everyone! 
🎄 🎄
This year the Murphys are traveling to the North Pole on a Polar Express Finland adventure to visit Santa. Hopefully, our trip will not be as boring as the movie.
First stop though, London England to see the Queen. Poor Paige and Grace! They traveled almost 24 hours to get to Saudi Arabia only to get right back on another plane again. A very early morning pick me up at 2:30 am in the local Starbucks just before boarding.
I think Oman is probably our favorite Middle Eastern country of all the Arabian kingdoms. It’s the second time we’ve visited here, and it’s just as beautiful as I remember it. Oman is so pristine and beautiful with majestic mountains jutting out among the Gulf of Oman.
November is the perfect time to visit. The weather is sublime and the water is the perfect temperature. Add in the incredibly gracious Omani people and you have all the makings of an unforgettable holiday.
The Shangri-La hotel where we stayed overlooks the gorgeous Gulf of Oman.
These mountains are spectacular and they seem to grow right out of the sea.
We had some fun the night before at an Arabian “Wild West” themed night. Brian tried his hand at mechanical bull riding. Not his proudest moment, but highly entertaining for me.
This was really fun with saloon dancers, cowboys, all manner of western style food and entertainment.
Olivia rode a pony with a cowboy who couldn’t speak a word of English, but he sure looks authentic.
Me and Olivia having breakfast in our matching “mother and daughter” travel dresses.
Olivia’s favorite way to travel
We went with our good friends the Bassett’s and had such a good time. Tom and Angela with their new son Alex.
An absolute must was the Lazy River complete with mermaid friends.
And I obviously had no problem being lazy here.
One of the highlights was the Kiddie Buffet complete with hot chocolate and marshmallows every day.
The ocean is warm and clean. And it feels exactly like Daytona Beach.
Except here you get to ride ponies by the sea.
And even camels!
This is the proper way to sit on a camel. I was scared to death, but Olivia loved it.
Brian and I even managed a night out together.
Angela and I look quite athletic in this picture I think. Unlike me though, Angela is actually the real deal.
Getting ready to explore the coastline by boat.
We had a grand time being pulled on this BarcaLounger up and down the bay.
Our last dinner together at one of the many resort restaurants.
Olivia and Brian working on her dismount.
Goodbye Oman! See you same time next year!
So as all good things must come to an end, so does our trip to Tuscany. Looking back we all learned a lot. Brian learned how to drive like an Italian. I learned how to make pizza (sort of), and Olivia? Well, Olivia learned that that being too far away from the WiFi makes her feet hurt. Oh well…
I always knew I loved traveling, but I didn’t know how fun it could be with more than just family. Having my brother and sister in law here made every experience that much sweeter. Thanks Roger and Myphuong for traveling across the ocean to be with us. We love you guys!
Our little world traveler who has a WiFi condition.
Castelnuevo-just one of the many little known towns we explored.
My favorite shot of the villa.
Living in the country was an experience for a city girl like me.
But I actually loved it. You can literally just pick these off the vine and eat them. Sweet and warm.
Somehow all the food tasted better outside here.
Actually everything was better.
My fun loving brother who was up for anything. Kids don’t try this at home!
Sightseeing…Olivia was not happy. She thought we were going for pizza not Pisa.
Basilica of the St. Mary of the flower, which I thought was way more impressive than the Duomo in Florence.
Pisa is kind of a sketchy little town, but it was worth it to see this. This part of town is actually pretty and relaxing…and they have a McDonald’s (Olivia’s favorite part).
I 
💖 my sister in law for so many reasons. My brother is definitely marrying up.
And not only because she is a magician with the “selfie stick.” All the best pictures are hers.
And of course the food…I ate some of this every single day.
What? You never saw a porchetta enjoying a porchetta?
Italy is not made for Minnesota farm boys.
But Brian had no trouble converting to the daily espresso habit…even drinking them standing up Italian style.
So many beautiful places to see
Portofino was definitely a favorite. Yes, the water is actually that blue
Riding bikes along the walls of Lucca.
Enjoying picturesque small town life.
Shopping….
Staying home…
Or going out…Brian loved this place, not so much for the food as for the Coronas that they served here.
Drinking…in Italy, it’s seems perfectly acceptable to always be holding one of these.
And more drinking…I am convinced cappuccino is God’s gift to Italy. And I am sorry, but they definitely taste better here.
Family…
Friends…
Misadventures…I am pretty sure we exceeded the maximum capacity level in this ridiculously small elevator.
Celebrating all the moments…
Even bad ones like rainy days can be fun. Thankfully it only rained towards the end.
Even sad faces can’t dim the light in Italy. This is the Duomo by the way.
Ciao Tuscany! It’s been an adventure.
Portofino-playground of the rich and famous. What are we doing there? Just wanna see how the other side lives. And who should we run into, but the most famous couple I know – Jerry Susan Thompson and her husband Roger.
I always suspected Jerry was “slumming” it, pretending to be a librarian aide, when secretly she’s a serious jet setter running around with celebrities and the like. Having been found out, Jerry and Roger graciously invited us to their splendid hotel with the million dollar view and plied with us with wine all afternoon. As a result, I saw nothing, but the bottom of my wineglass the entire day. That’s right, I can’t tell you a thing about Portofino. Nada!!!!!’
Instead we wiled away our time with our friends, talking, laughing, (some of us even napping), and just enjoying the resplendent day. Thanks so much Jerry and Roger for a wonderful afternoon. And just so you know, your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell a soul about your double life. But please can’t you get me just one picture with George Clooney? 
🙏
Portofino is affectionately known as the Italian Riviera for good reason.
One of the benefits of living in an expat community is that you get to be friends with world travelers. Many times wherever you want to go, there’s somebody who has already been there. When my friend Steve Flynn found out about Tuscany, he practically ordered me to visit a restaurant that he loved.
When I say ordered, I mean he hand wrote detailed driving directions, gave me copies of the menu, even pictures of his family eating there. All I can say is good thing Steve pressed me because there is NO way the average tourist could ever find it on their own. This is the type of restaurant that is only for locals.
To get there requires James Bond precision driving skills. And the only sign of its existence, or even a sign at all, is written in pencil, on an index card…taped to a rock. We probably would have quit, but I didn’t want to face Steve with my failure.
Not sure what to order, we let the waiter pick for us. Nearly three hours later, we finished a seven course dinner that included antipasto, bread, pasta, steak, fish, truffles, salad, desserts, etc…You name it, the food just kept appearing, one dish better than the next. And the whole thing cost 2 dollars! Seriously, it was so cheap-we left an enormous tip not believing a meal that good could be had for so little. Thanks, Steve. Now I understand.
I was only slightly exaggerating when I said the sign was an index card. This is all that is visible from the road.
Casa del Pescatore is located at the bottom of this abandoned and spooky looking town.
But first you have to descend a dangerously steep and slippery slope in the near dark.
The restaurant overlooks a lovely mosquito infested reservoir perfect for dumping bodies into.
Steak, fish, homemade pastas galore…just some of the many dishes that came out of that tiny kitchen.
It’s all cooked in this outdoor open fire kitchen.
The antipasto tray of home cured meats. They gave us two of these.
Honestly I cannot identify a single ingredient in this salad, but it was delicious.
My favorite was this simple dessert of ice cream and mountain grown berries. I have never had berries this good anywhere!
One of the many amenities of our “authentic” Tuscany villa is a genuine wood burning pizza oven. Unfortunately for us, we don’t know how to make pizza or use an appliance that can’t be plugged in. Not to worry though, we hired an amazing local mother/daughter chef team to come and teach us.
Imagine a storybook Italian setting, delicious local farm grown food ingredients, copious amounts of alcohol, and 4 guests who can’t speak a word of Italian trying to learn how to make handmade pizzas.
Judging rightly that Brian and Roger should stay far away from any open flames, Jessica and Maria did all the actual cooking, as well as setting the table, making us desserts, and even providing homemade raspberry cordials for after dinner. We sat out under the pergola well into the night, long after the sun had set…
Our unforgettable pizza making experience.
This wine is made from the villa’s very own vineyard.
The very patient Jessica. Roger wanted to make a pizza entirely made of bacon fat. She persuaded him to add a few other ingredients.
Something about wood burning ovens make these pizzas incredible.
Brian trying his hand at pizza making. He jokingly asked for a Scotch pizza.
Roger corrupting my daughter. He is feeding her prosciutto fat. We had a hard time not eating all the ingredients out of hand.
Olivia was the only one working hard. The adults were too busy sampling the wines.
These tomatoes do not taste like any tomatoes in America. They were grown in Jessica’s garden and picked just that afternoon.
And the dishes just kept on coming. Dozens of pizzas later, we could hardly move.
We all agreed that the magnificent view made the food taste even better.
Our little mermaid.
The water is freezing, but it did not deter Olivia from diving in.
Even Olivia is transfixed by the view.
I hate sunshine, but I have to admit, I love dining alfresco in Tuscany.
We are very bad tourists. First we lied to our tour guide curtailing our Duomo tour (saying Olivia was sick) so we could go get more gelato. And now today, we completely ditched our Uffizi and Accademia tour to go for a bike ride in the country at a little place called Lucca.
Let me tell you, Lucca beats the pants off of Florence. It’s absolutely gorgeous! You get all the charm and beauty of “Firenze” without the heat or crowds. Plus you can rent a bike and see the entire city pedaling through charming thoroughfares and quirky alleys. Ladies, get a tandem if you can. That way you can sit back, enjoy the scenery and take pictures, while your husband pedals madly, and tries to navigate through the crazy streets.
Lucca has everything. Vino, opera singers, churches, art galleries, restaurants, shopping, and even a torture museum. Plus, it’s beautifully laid out with a lovely tree lined bike path around the entire city. So romantic and fun!
And you know it’s great when someone like me who hates exercise, and is allergic to the outdoors thinks this is the highlight of the vacation.
To get to Lucca you have to drive through heavily congested roads…
And many a bustling metropolis….
To find this hidden gem of a city – lovely Lucca.
First order of business-rent a bike! Tandem highly recommended, and a husband with strong quads.
We had not gone 50 feet when we came upon a very lovely sight….
….an afternoon Wine Tasting right in the middle of the square.
Of course we had to stop for a glass or maybe four glasses.
Slightly inebriated we made our way around town.
There are plenty of churches, art galleries, and museums to visit.
Lucca even has its very own Torture Museum. Try and beat that Florence!
Everywhere you look, there are artisans of every kind showcasing their talent.
Opera singers…this guy was really good.
And this statue is actually a person. Ok, I admit there are some artists with questionable abilities.
A bike ride around the entire city is a must. It’s only 4 kilometers, and is lovely with gorgeous views.
And this cute guy came out to wave to us as we pedaled by. So sweet! Ciao Lucca – we 💖 you!
So the second leg of our holiday is Tuscany proper…and this includes an authentic villa in the countryside. However, we didn’t realize that meant a white knuckle drive with hairpin turns and death defying drops on narrow one lane mountain roads.
It was all worth it though. The villa is just like the movies right down to the rustic vineyard, blue shutters, and cobblestone steps. I totally expected Don Corleone to greet me at the door.
This magnificent villa overlooks the entire Tuscan countryside.
And it even comes with an infinity edge pool. We made it just as the sun was setting in the sky.
Meeting up with my brother and sister in law for Tuscany was the best part.
Americans should not drive in Italy. Madness I tell you, sheer madness.
A ninety minute trip that took 3 hours because we needed our gelato, cappuccino, and beer fix.
Olivia who has no trouble living it up Italian style.
And Italian ice coffee that has no ice in it, but is unbelievably delicious.
The entrance to our villa is lovely.
Brian taking the high road because that’s the only way to reach the house. Dragging our luggage was not fun.
Hydrangeas growing wild everywhere greet us.
My brother acting like Marlon Brando and inspecting the grounds.
When I say authentic, I mean there are NO televisions in the entire house. Good thing we planned our own entertainment.
Our first dinner amidst the candlelight and the view.
Did you know Dubai is a city? I actually thought it was a country. I know! Right? That’s what traveling does for you…it expands your horizons, and forces you to admit that you should have paid attention in school. Turns out Geography does in fact, matter.
In my defense however, even though Dubai is only the second largest territory in the UAE, and is not even the official capital of the United Arab Emirates; Dubai overshadows every other of the seven cities that make up the UAE. Dubai is the UAE!
And truthfully, I am not even sure why. There are very few natural resources, and oil makes up less than 5% of their GDP. Almost every famous landmark was created in the last decade, and it’s not even particularly pretty. And yet, Dubai is ranked the 5th most important city in the world, even overtaking Paris.
It’s an enigma…until you get there. Dubai just has an energy to it that is addictive. People told me that Dubai is like Vegas on steroids, but I didn’t get that vibe. I just saw it as a vibrant and fun place of endless opportunities. Here you can truly do Everything and Nothing at the same time…and enjoy both equally.
Our family, to no one’s surprise, picked the Nothing option; and managed to a have a perfectly delightful time indulging in what I am pretty sure is the backbone of Dubai’s economy, Eating and Shopping…and of course more lazy rivers.
And even though we spent only 2 days here, everyone has agreed that Dubai is special. It’s a peculiar place that defies definition but is definitely unforgettable.
Dubai, surprisingly, was not “insanely hot” for late May. It was a pleasant 102 degrees, and I am not saying that sarcastically.
Olivia indulging in an enormous breakfast. The first of many epic meals here.
Where else but Dubai can you order a six course breakfast at 6 o’clock in the morning?
This is how a typical shopping trip looks like in my family. Brian is bored, Olivia is out of control, and Grace is pretending not to be part of our family.
Found at the Dubai Mall, and the only kind of camel I will let Olivia near because I am unreasonably afraid of MERS.
And this is how our shopping trips usually ends.
Brian and I at a very posh French restaurant where we had a very bad meal. Steak in liver sauce. Ugh!
Dubai’s most famous landmark all lit up. A super impressive music and light show!
Dubai is beautiful at night.
We hate zoos, but love Aquariums! This is the one in Atlantis. It’s small, but very well done.
Grace and Olivia enjoying themselves among the fish.
And watching the exhibits. We loved how the aquarium incorporated middle eastern influences with these Arabic majlis to lounge on throughout.
Lots of gorgeous and exotic things to see. A first rate aquarium!
We had a marvelous time at the Atlantis water park. Sorry I have no pictures because I spent the whole day on their spectacular Lazy River. I am not kidding. They literally had to kick us out of that river.
But the BEST part was getting to reconnect with my dear friend Elisa Busteed whom I haven’t seen in over 13 years! It was by far my favorite part of the holiday!!!!
While Lisa and I reconnected, Brian and John made sure that the enormous bottle of Jack Daniels we bought at Duty Free did not go to waste. An awesome ending to a wonderful weekend.
Today was total “Chicago Immersion Day.” We woke up bright and early, and walked to a super sketchy part of town in order to try the ubiquitous Chicago Hot Dogs and Italian Beef Sandwiches at 10:00 in the morning. Upon hearing that we were travelers not from around here, Max gifted us with French fries and homemade chili pressing us to try everything on the menu. And then we had “Fun with Fries.”
Then it was off to the Chicago Public Library, which to our dismay is no longer a library, but instead some kind of art gallery for people with no discerning artistic skills. Our mocking antics of the “Art” here nearly got us kicked out. Not to mention the bull riding episode…
Across the street is Millennium Park where the iconic “Bean” is located. The official name for this massive sculpture is the Cloudgate. However, don’t bother referring to it as such. No one will know what you are talking about.
And finally in an homage to Ferris Bueller, we visited one of his old stomping grounds, The Art Institute of Chicago. What started out as a lark, ended up being a serious endeavor. This is the best museum in the world as far as I am concerned. I like it better than the National Gallery in DC or even the Louvre in Paris. So many different kinds of art displayed here. All of them fascinating and beautiful in their own way. It’s huge, but easy to navigate. All the docents are incredibly knowledgeable and the array of art is unbelievable.
Of course I am old school and was completely enamored by the Impressionist Masters. Paige, however, really loved the Surrealism exhibits. We wandered around aimlessly at times together and sometimes alone just taking it all in and having a truly lovely day.
This place is literally beneath a freeway overpass. We were too scared to go at night so that’s why we are eating these for breakfast.
Totally worth it though.
Yes, the relish is that intensely green. Don’t ask me why. And ketchup is not allowed.
Different flavored salts for your fries. We had way too much fun with this display, laughing and laughing.
Disguised as a Library but No!
Instead we get this….
And this…Target Practice maybe?
Guess which is the Art, and which is my daughter.
Riding the Bull to Subway or until the police comes.
However, it is actually very beautiful inside with delicious Architectural details.
The Bean is a sculpture made of mercury glass that reflects the Chicago skyline and the clouds above. It’s enormous and shiny.
Had to take some selfies of course.
Walking in Ferris’s footsteps…Seurat’s “Sunday in the Park” is also enormous, and more beautiful in person than any picture can depict.
And this guy…takes your breath away.
This guy…not so much.
Chillin’ with Van Gogh at the Night Cafe.
And not to be outdone is Monsieur Marc Chagall.Heather Elder Howes, does this remind you of the Tiffany stained glass in our little Winter Park museum?
We walked everywhere today. Chicago was freezing but pretty in its own way. Notice the ice in the river.