Wadi Shab, Oman

Wadi Shab is a stunning natural phenomenon situated just outside Sur in Oman. Like many of the greatest attractions, it is free to enter (well almost - at high tide you may need to get a 1 rial boat ride to cross into the wadi).

Luck of the draw. You never know what types of animals you'll see in route.

The hiking is not strenuous without ever becoming tedious, making it perfect for children. Actually, I think they fair better than me at times.

Venturing a little further we find winding rivers, small white water pools for diving and the opportunity to climb higher into the mountains for some spectacular views.

The scattered ruins among the cliffs make this hike fun for exploring.

This is such a beautiful place, and we had a great time trekking through the mountains.

That's one way to knock down a Palm tree to get the dates!

Even the most unadventurous of explorers are be able to make it far enough to enjoy the palm groves and take a dip in the turquoise pools between the mountains. YES! We have a picture of grandma really hiking!

Matt always says you have to get to the top for a better view. I'm glad he's teaching Hailey how to be a scout. Overall, this place is a must see sometime in your life.

Turin, Italy

Turin, Torino in Italian, is an interesting and often overlooked city in the Piedmont region of Italy. From its Baroque cafes and architecture to its shopping promenades, Turin was a perfect city to wander and explore.

Turin is called the "cradle of Italian Liberty", due to it being the birthplace of many notable politicians.

OK OK I can officially say that Turin is a fantastic place to shop. There are miles and miles of high name stores.

Lucca, Italy

We took a short trip to Lucca before heading out to Milan. I'm so glad we did. This town had a market in full swing. The ancient buildings only added to the ambience of our stroll through the town.