Stop 1: Venice

If you (like us) hate crowds, tourists, high prices, and heat, then traveling in Europe in January is PERFECT. However, if you don't like cold, rain, or closed stores, then join the hoards in the summer... It's your call. For us, a January trip was just right.

Although beautiful blue skies would have been welcomed, of course, the fog resting on the city of Venice provided a rather mystical quality to the canaled city. Piazza San Marco greeted us with swirls of smoke-like clouds:

The view from St. Mark's over the gondola docks out to San Giorgio had an eerie quality :

On our first day, we took a boat ride down the Grand Canal:

Enjoyed the Christmas lights still up at the Rialto Bridge:

Visited (and took illegal pictures in) the beautiful Frari Church:

And simply enjoyed wandering around the car-free streets and canals:

When traveling with an infant in Europe, I'd say the number one most important thing is a good carrier. We love our Ergo. More importantly, Oliver loves our Ergo.

On the second day, we started at St. Mark's Basilica:

And then visited the Doge's Palace, which was gorgeous:

I think it might have been my favorite palace visit ever (and this coming from someone who has toured a LOT of chateaux, castles, and palaces). It was extensive, well-preserved, beautiful. Plus it included a tour of the prison (very cool) and well-posted descriptions in each room. We had a great time:

We spent the rest of that day wandering Venice. The city is so small that frequent trips back to the hotel to feed Oliver were easy, making the days very simple. It truly is a breathtaking place:

Our two days there ended with a boat ride to the train station to head to Roma. Plane tickets to Venice, 49 euros on Easyjet. 2 nights in Venice, 110 euros (WAY cheaper in January, right?!?!). Traveling down the Grand Canal during sunrise... priceless.