Exploring Italy : Day Trip to Asiago

On Sunday we decided to take a day trip to Asiago. The reasons were twofold.

1. CHEEEEESE. Duh.

2. It is 20 degrees cooler up in the mountains. Yes, please.

 

We'd also heard about a cute little park called Gnome Village and we thought the girls would enjoy it so we got in the car and headed up the mountain. It's about an hour away.

NOTE: If you drive to Asiago make sure to take Dramamine with you. The switchbacks are pretty brutal and I always have one or two girls with a white face and a tummyache.

 

The first thing on our itinerary was Gnome Village. Or in Italian...Villagio degli Gnomi.

In short? It was adorable. I don't know how much fun it would be for anyone much older than Harper's age, but the girls loved it.

We hiked through the woods for a bit. There were balance games and mini adventures along the way. At the end of the hike we found the gnome village.

The scenery was magical. It reminded me of the PNW (we lived in Washington State years ago.)

These little houses were so cute. One had a troll trap around it, one had smoke billowing out of the roof...

And according to the girls, the best ones were the homes that talked to you. Seriously. There's a dude hanging out in an office somewhere with a microphone and he talks back to kids all day. Bahaha!

You should have seen Cate and Lucy's eyes when he said Ciao and asked their names. Good thing they know Italian!

Cate! Lucy! SIAMO GEMELLE!!! (Cate, Lucy, we are twins!)

So cute.

After we explored the village, we drove through some beautiful countryside (see all the cows everywhere?) to find Mom and Dad's magical village...a cheese factory!!!

We stopped in at Caseificio Pennar and spent some time sampling cheeses and decision making. And it was NOT an easy decision to make! We ended up with some fresh milk, butter, and a big ole wedge of traditional Asiago.

The guys there are so friendly and helpful...they were concerned about me being pregnant and waved me away from the cheeses I shouldn't be eating.

You need to know some Italian to visit here, no one really speaks English. I know you can call ahead and schedule tours, too.

After the cheeeeeese we just walked around and explored Asiago.

All in all it was a perfect day trip. Nice and cool, beautiful scenery, gnomes, and amazing cheese.

What more could a girl want?? :)
xoxo

S

Comments

[Theresa]

What an adventure you all are having!! I'm loving all the stories and hope to visit Europe someday soon! Your pictures make me want to book our flights TODAY. Thanks so much for sharing so much of your time there.

[AnnElise R.]

Thanks for sharing! I love reading about all your adventures. I have a silly logistics question: do you carry a lot of crap with you on your trips or are your girls getting to the ages that you can run back to the car? I have three kids four and under and You. Are. Superwoman. :)

[Stephanie Howell]

You are so sweet! We are really past the carry a lot of crap stage…though I guess Im about to get myself back into it? BAHAHA! The girls usually pack their own backpacks to entertain themselves in the van…and I put a few essentials in my bag. I usually carry a thirty-one type tote with me with lots of pockets. I take bug spray, sunscreen, the ventolin inhaler, and wipes!

[Kimber-Leigh]

What a magical day! My kids would love the gnome village too…and oh, cheese heaven! I think I would have a really tough time choosing just one! :) Glad it was a special day!

[Stacey]

Looks like so much fun! Your girls are getting so big. I love how you all aren't afraid to go on so many fun trips. I have friends that won't travel more than an hour until their kids are 10. We are like your family, so many trips and adventures!

[CJ]

What a wonderful day, it sounds as though you all had a lot of fun. Cj xx

[Linda E]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventure. Love the gnome houses. It looks so magical! As an FYI, my daughter wears sea bands to avoid motion sickness on long car trips. Here's a link to the type we use: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sea-Band-Nausea-Relief-Acupuncture-Wrist-Band-1ct/16918569

[Pat Cloud]

Looks like sooo much fun. Love the village! The girls are beautiful and getting sooo big!

[Elizabeth]

Lovely! Matt will be headed to Italy periodically for his new job... alas, all work and no chance I could tag along.

[Kirsten J]

So beautiful - it looks fake. We just went to Seabrook on the Washington coast, just north of Ocean Shores and there was this path through the woods that looked just like that - you're right! And....they had a cute little gnome forest, I kid you not. Although....some people put smurfs there. Kinda killed the vibe. But I wonder if somebody started it because of your Asiago?

[young]

Beautiful! Love the idea of the gnome village and a trip to get some really awesome cheese!

[reyanna]

Wow! Looks gorgeous!!!