Pompeii Photos

We made it to Italy, safe and sound! Naples was rather eye-opening (more on that later); I already threw pizza on the floor (accidentally but spectacularly); gawked at the wonder of Vesuvius; and pinched myself while at the Pompeii ruins to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Oh, and Germany made it to the World Cup semi-finals so we are thoroughly happy! Here are a few teaser photos from today:

WiFi has been spotty so updates may be infrequent, and I don't want to spend my time here on the internet anyway! Until the next WiFi watering hole, ciao!

A Capitol Fourth

The Capitol - July 4, 2013
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

Tomorrow is America's birthday - Independence Day!  On this date in 1776, the Founding Fathers presented the Declaration of Independence to the colonies as a clear statement of resolve to cut governmental ties with England.  Now 238 years later, we Americans celebrate in a variety of ways, from backyard barbeques to community firework parties to bedecking ourselves in red, white and blue to show our patriotic fervor (or corniness!)!

Washington Monument & Reflecting Pool
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

Independence Day is one of my more favorite holidays.  Usually we keep it low-key, playing lawn games, barbequing, laughing with family and friends, and capping off the day with some firecrackers!  However, last year we kicked it up a notch and traveled to D.C. for the Capitol Fourth festivities!

We arrived in DC shortly before noon and headed straight for Capitol Hill where we met up with two friends in town from Germany.  I found myself appreciating Independence Day in a unique way as I tried to "see" the festivities through the eyes of a European visitor.  We spent the next few hours meandering through the monuments, grabbing a burger at one of D.C.'s many restaurants, and finally ending up stretched out in the grass at the National Mall to talk away the hours until the fireworks show began!

WWII Monument
(c) Thrifty Gypsy

The "Capitol Fourth" specifically refers to a free concert given right in front of the Capitol building on July 4th.  To attend, all you need to do is show up early and grab a seat before they fill up.  (For more details, see their website.)  The audience's back is to the Capitol building, and the stage for the concert stands between the audience and the Mall.  Last year Neil Diamond and Barry Manilow played, but we skipped the concert because the staging unfortunately blocks good views of the fireworks.  And those fireworks - they don't disappoint!  It was a great show!

This is the first year I won't be in the U.S. for Independence Day, but I'm too excited about our long-anticipated vacation to be wistful.  Wherever you are, at home in the states, abroad on holiday or living as an expat, you can still celebrate America's birthday, and I intend to do so - from Pompeii, Italy!

Happy (early) Independence Day, y'all!  How are you spending your July 4th?

Mapping My Month: July 2014

We leave in two days.

AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This pretty much sums me up.

June was an absolutely amazing month, kick-started by the wedding of my brother here in Richmond and followed closely by trying out local bars and restaurants, taking an excursion to Colonial Williamsburg, a gorgeous summer walk through my beautiful Goochland county, watching some World Cup action, and culminating with a quiet weekend of cleaning and packing for our Europe trip!  This past month also brought me a Liebster Award nomination and having two guest posts published on Ever Changing Scenery and the Contented Traveller -- several firsts for me!

We will be gone for every weekend in July.  Every weekend!  Our plans include visiting Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, Naples and Rome in Italy before flying to Stuttgart, Germany, to watch the final World Cup matches with our friends.  From there we'll make our way to the charming medieval town of Dinkelsbühl (otherwise known as Danny's German home town) situated on the Romantische Straße in Bavaria.  We'll enjoy the Kinderzeche festival and visit with more family and friends.  Since we're renting a car, we'll be able to take day-trips throughout the region, and I'm hoping to visit Baden-Baden and Strasbourg on the border with France as some of my ancestors originated from there.  

Unlike our time in Italy, which is scheduled almost down to the minute, our time in Germany will be more relaxed and spontaneous.  I can't wait to see what we'll end up doing!

Obviously my posts here will be infrequent while we are away, but be sure to follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for updates from the road!  (Don't forget, I'm on Bloglovin', too!)
  

What are your July plans? 

Linking up with Bonnie, Van, Kiki and other travel bloggers for #TravelTuesday!

To see my post about my particular brand of travel style, check out my post here!