After flying back into Atlanta from Italy, we decided to stop by The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum.  We have wanted to visit for several years but, unfortunately, it just never worked out that we were in Atlanta while they were open.

The entrance to The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum

Pisa, Italy

Today we are traveling to Pisa to visit The Leaning Tower of Pisa!  We are leaving from the Florence train station.

Florence Train Station

Traveling by Bus to An Ancient Roman Theatre near Florence, Italy

Today we are taking the city bus to Fiesole.  We are heading there because the town is home to the ruins of an ancient Roman Theatre, and the ruins are in amazingly good shape!

Stopping by McDonald's in Florence for breakfast before heading out

Traveling By Train to Florence and Michelangelo's David

We are leaving Milan today and traveling by train to Florence!

The interior of our hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, in Milan

More of Milan: Paintings, an Ossuary, and The Last Supper

Today was an exciting day.  We explored more of Milan and visited some of the city's famous paintings and ancient ruins.

Hotel breakfast

Milan, Italy Walking Tour & Touring the Duomo

Good morning from Milan!  This is our second day in the city.  We were quite tired yesterday so we only explored a little.  Today we are well-rested and ready for a full day of exploration!

Sunrise over Milan 

Flying to Milan, Italy and Exploring the City

We are spending a week in Italy!  We will be splitting our time between Milan, Florence, and Pisa.  We flew out last night and arrived in Italy very early in the morning.

Sunrise over Italy

Exploring Colorado

Today we head back to Colorado in order to fly out of Denver tomorrow.

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument along Interstate 80 in Laramie, Wyoming

Blackfoot, Idaho, The Potato Capital of the World

Today we are taking a side trip to Blackfoot, Idaho to visit The Potato Museum!  Blackfoot is known as the Potato Capital of the World.

Entrance to the museum

Visiting Idaho and Yellowstone Bear World

We are traveling to Idaho today to visit Yellowstone Bear World.  We will then head to Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Yellowstone National Park

Today we are taking a short drive to Yellowstone National Park.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Today we are traveling to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Oregon Trail Ruts and Register Cliff

Today we are exploring the Oregon Trail Ruts and Register Cliff in Wyoming.

Wide-open road

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Today we begin a week-long tour of Wyoming, Colorado, and Idaho.  Our first stop will be Wyoming and the city of Cheyenne.

Wyoming State Line

Maumee Antique Mall

This is our last day in Toronto as we are heading home.  We will be crossing back into Detroit, Michigan and making a few stops along the way.

Toronto Pearson Airport

Exploring The Toronto Lakefront & Seeing A Play

Today's post will contain a mixture of activities in Toronto.

I haven't seen a Medicine Shoppe in forever!

Touring The Old Don Jail

This morning we decided to take an Uber to The Old Don Jail.  The Old Don Jail is a former jail in Toronto.  It was recently renovated as the administrative wing to the local hospital.  They have preserved parts of the jail, though, as a museum. 

Upon arriving, we picked up the last remaining brochure at the door.  The tour is self-guided.  We were the only people there touring the jail during the entire visit.  The layout is a little hard to navigate at first.

Entrance

Touring Toronto's Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres

Tonight we are heading back to Downtown Toronto for a tour of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres.  These theatres are the last remaining Edwardian stacked theatres in the world.  The theatres were built in 1913.  Both theatres were home to different acts.  In 1928, the Winter Garden Theatre closed, leaving many artifacts inside.  Many years later, these items were discovered and the theatre was restored.  They give tours on Thursday nights.  You do not need to register beforehand; you simply pay at the door.

Heading to Toronto 

Visiting the African Lion Safari

On the drive to Toronto, we passed signs for the African Lion Safari in Hamilton, Ontario.  Today, we had to go check this place out!  African Lion Safari is a drive-thru zoo.  

Visiting Toronto Zoo

Good morning from Toronto, Canada!  On today's agenda is visiting Toronto Zoo.  The main reason for this visit is to see the Panda Bears.  This will be their last year in Toronto.  Then, we will head back to Downtown Toronto for lunch and to explore some stores.

View from our hotel, Hilton Doubletree, this morning

Traveling to Toronto, Canada

After hours of exploring at The Henry Ford, we are now on our way to cross the border into Canada.  Our final destination is Toronto, Canada.  The Canadian Border is just a few minutes outside of Detroit; then, it is another four hours to Toronto.

Visiting The Henry Ford Museum

I am so excited about today!  We are going to The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.  I have heard about some of the pieces on exhibit here and can't wait to explore!

The Henry Ford Sign

Arriving in Detroit, Michigan

We are back on the road to Detroit!  The goal today is to make it to Detroit, spend the night, and then tomorrow we will head to Toronto, Canada.

Getting close to Detroit

Jeffrey's Antiques & Collectibles

For the Fourth of July week, we are taking a trip to Detroit and then onto Toronto, Canada.  On the way to Detroit, we stopped at Jeffrey's Antiques & Collectibles in Findlay, Ohio.

 Store Entrance

Visiting Kokomo, Indiana

On the way back from Chicago, we decided to take a different route to visit the town of Kokomo, Indiana.  We had wanted to visit this town due to a toy store located there.  We had heard a lot about it but it was always closed when we had passed through in the past.

Beautiful Indiana countryside

Staying at the Hilton Indian Lakes Hotel

Due to arriving in Chicago late in the day, we used our Hilton Points to book a room at the Hilton Indian Lakes Hotel.  This hotel is located in Bloomingdale, Illinois, about 25 minutes from Chicago O'Hare.

The hotel was designed by an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright and has a unique, charming layout.  It is definitely in need of updating, though.  The parking lot is full of potholes and the interior is dated. The good news is the hotel is set to the be renovated later this year and will be turned into a DoubleTree.

Our hotel room ceiling

Leaving Romania

 Today we say goodbye to Romania.  We will be flying from Bucharest to Munich, Germany and then onto Chicago, Illinois.

Traveling to Romania Day 7

 Today we are heading to Constanta!  This town is a popular beach area on the Black Sea.

Traveling to Romania Day 6

Good morning from Bucharest!  Here are some shots outside of the hotel window.

Traveling to Romania Day 5

 Today we head to Bucharest!  

Traveling to Romania Day 4

Good morning from Sighisoara, Romania!  Today we set out to hike up to the city top and explore some of the locations there.  There was a lot of hiking involved today!

Traveling to Romania Day 3

Good morning from Sighisoara!  Tour buses and tourists have arrived.

Traveling to Romania Days 1 and 2

We flew out of Chicago O'Hare on a Sunday night on Lufthansa.  We arrived the next morning in Munich, Germany. Munich has a very clean, quiet, and modern airport.  Very nice.  We had a little time before our connection, so we took a few minutes to explore.

Munich Airport had these neat napcabs.  You pay with a card and can take a nap during your layover or before you head out to explore the city.  One was being cleaned while we walked by, and it looked quite nice and clean.

 

Leaving Denmark and The September 11th Memorial at Boston Airport

We are up super early this morning for our flight to Boston.  We had a little time to kill at the airport before our flight took off.

European cigarette boxes always intrigue me.

Bakken Amusement Park

I'm a fan of theme parks but have never been to a theme park outside of The United States.  Most theme parks in Denmark are not yet open during this time of year.  Bakken, the theme park I explored today, is also not open yet, but you can walk through the area anyway.  I had to explore this amusement park because it is the oldest operating amusement park in the world!  It opened in 1583!  Bakken is located near Klampenborg, just north of Copenhagen. 

Exploring Møns Klint

Today we are traveling to Møns Klint in Demark.  Møns Klint is home to chalk cliffs.  It is located in the Danish island of Møn along the Baltic Sea.

Visiting Rosenborg Castle and Taking a Canal Cruise

Today we are visiting Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen.  This castle was once used as a royal residence.

Visiting Amalienborg Palace and Christiansborg Palace

Good morning from Copenhagen!  Today we will be exploring some of the royal palaces in the city.  Before we begin our day, though, we grabbed complimentary breakfast from the hotel restaurant.  The First Hotel Copenhagen really goes all out on their breakfast.  It is very good!

Hans Christian Andersen's Denmark

Good morning, once again, from Billund, Denmark!  Today we will be leaving Legoland and making our way to Copenhagen.  Along the way, we will be stopping in Odense, which is known for being a home to Hans Christian Andersen.  Then, we will explore some ruins before arriving in Copenhagen!

I'm going to miss these Lego guys!

Visiting Ribe, Denmark

Good morning from Billund, Denmark!  Today we will be traveling to Ribe, Denmark.  Ribe is Denmark's oldest town.

Traveling to Legoland Billund

Today we are landing in Copenhagen, Denmark!  Once we pick up our rental car, we will be driving to Billund, Denmark.  This is the home of Lego.  It is where the toy was created, where their headquarters are located, and also the home of the first Legoland theme park!

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

We are on our way to Denmark!  First, we are making a connection in Cincinnati before flying onto Boston.  We will be spending the night in Boston before catching our flight to Denmark tomorrow.

Visiting the Dirt Cheap Store

We recently came across a store called Dirt Cheap.  Dirt Cheap is a bargain store that receives returned products from other companies and products that do not sell from stores.  It was quite fascinating to explore!