It's a Wrap!

It may have been difficult getting Karen on the plane to come home, but we finally made it (Brad made sure to stay behind her in the airport to keep her from bolting for the exit doors.)

We've been home now three days, and are making this "cleanup" post by including some photos and videos from other devices that we carried with us.

We're still basking in the glow of our trip to Italy and some of the old Yugoslavia, and are so grateful for the experiences and the people we met along the way.

As we look back, here are some of the reminders, tips and lingering questions:

• Use every chance you get to swim in the Adriatic. It's warm and clean.
• Don't trust the train schedules you see online. The only accurate schedules are at the station.
• If you have a choice between renting a diesel car or a gas car, get the diesel. Your pocketbook will thank you.
• Trust the taxi driver to get you there on time. He may charge you more and drive like a mad man, but if he says he'll get you there, he will.
• Don't trust the online weather forecasts. The locals have an uncanny way of looking to the sky and making accurate hour-by-hour predictions.
• Wine: Drink it anywhere in this region. It's fantastic (even the $6 table wine).
• Food: What makes it so great here? Is it the olve oil? Or do they really cook with love?
• Gelato: How come it just doesn't measure up in America? (Brad doublechecked most days just to be sure.)
• Even though cathedrals are the same everywhere, they're also so different.
• Nothing beats putting on a clean pair of socks in the morning. NOTHING!

With that, below are a few other photos and videos.

This was Roman Emperor Diocletian addressing his adoring subjects at his retirement palace in Split, Croatia.

This is a nearly deserted beach on Korcula island in Croatia. The water, sand and sun were oh-so warm.

This is our last night, in Rovinj, with a mimosa while sitting on the rocks overlooking the sea.

And this is our last morning, with Karen savoring the last sips of the sweet life. 

As you can probably ascertain, a good time was had by all.