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Lori Virelli

@lorivirelli

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Chris and I just returned from our planes, trains, and boats Scandinavian adventure. First, we hit Stockholm…

Stockholm is an archipelago of over 30,000 islands, so we took a relaxing boat ride to see the sites of the city including the Vasa, a fully-intact rescued sunken warship from the 17th century

then underground to see the art along the subway, walked through the city and tried delicious “world’s best” hamburgers

followed by a train ride to Copenhagen where we first saw the famous Tivoli Gardens amusement park with beautiful art, flora, and delicious food

checked out the Library Bar where I ordered a James and the Giant Peach

we took a food tour to try out smørrebrød and other delicious Danish treats

walked through Freetown Christiania, an artistic anarchist commune

then a 400 step climb through narrow wooden staircases to the top of Vor Frelsers Kirke (Church of Our Savior) to catch the views from above

and a visit to the Black Diamond, the famous Royal Danish Library that sits right at the waterfront

saw the National Museum, then boarded an overnight ship to Oslo, through the Baltic to the North Sea via the Skagerrak

climbed the Oslo Opera House for some amazing views

became Vikings for a bit

and to the happiest place on Earth, the Deichman Bjørvika for some beautiful architecture and dizzying Escher-like levels of books, an epicenter for free creative space in Norway

and to dinner at the top of a hotel to get a full view of beautiful Oslo

boarded the historic Flåmsbana scenic railway through the mountains… it would be impossible to count the waterfalls

in Flåm, Chris sampled a five-course Viking dinner of deer, goat, and our very favorite tomato soups

then off on a cruise through the fjords, every view was breathtaking

enjoyed a relaxing boat ride to our last leg of the trip

arrived in Bergen on a very rainy day, but made up for it when the sun came out and rode to the top of Mount Floyen via the Fløibanen funicular to meet some furry friends

ended our trip in Bergen at the wharf’s Tyskebryggen houses, then headed home with gorgeous aerial views of Iceland and Greenland from our plane

10/10 would have fun anywhere with this man taken in Scandinavia by @lorivirelli

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a month ago

Happy 21st to the amazing @lolavirelli who continues to shine a little brighter every year ❤️☀️🥳 Love you, miss you! xoxo by @lorivirelli

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5 months ago

While the boys look at rocks and trees, the girls took a cruise to the Bahamas. We started with a quick visit with Uncle Jay’s family in Miami before boarding our ship. We swam with the pigs and rays on day 2. Lola gave me some of her bravery and we took a snorkel trip on day 3. Sharks. In open ocean, not a little sandbar but right out there where they live. And a trio of them swam right up toward us. They were pretty well fed so they didn’t try to nibble on us but they were still scary. And huge. And sharks (did I say that already?) in open ocean. Very brave. Ate a lot of dessert. Read some books on our balcony over the water. Drank a couple tropical drinks, one made by a robot. Joined zero conga lines. Love my daughter. by @lorivirelli

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5 months ago

We love you, CJ!
Happy birthday! ❤️🎉🧁 by @lorivirelli

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9 months ago

2025 Bookish Wrap-up

Didn’t meet my reading goal (94/100) but also got very good at putting books down that didn’t feel worth my time. Life is short, for cryin out loud!
The best of the best in no particular order…

The Correspondent (Virginia Evans): Epistolary (ooh look at that delicious word!) novel, written fully in letters from Sybil to her friends, family, authors, customer service, etc. This was just so cleverly done and gives a great reminder to slow down and communicate.

Theo of Golden (Allen Levi): This was one of those I thought would be *fine* because of its popularity, but it did really blow me away. It starts small with a newcomer to town connecting with its residents by gifting them portraits made by a local artist. It gave me a better understanding of how we can connect with the world.

Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy): Not a 2025 release, but I make the rules here! I plan on making this my hand-selling gem and my entire personality for 2026. I think people (me) can be intimidated by the Russians. But this was readable, relatable, and juicy! It’s filled with all of the things the world struggles with… problematic relationships, status, being moody. This is the xoxo gossip girl of its day.

The Elements (John Boyne): I love the Irish authors because there is always some trauma and darkness. This is a collection of four novellas, loosely connected by bad deeds. Boyne has a unique way of shining a light on the humanity of people, good and bad. It’s a “feel good” in the sense that it feels so good to read such a great novel, but be prepared for the depression that comes with it.

Mark Twain (Ron Chernow): Baby’s first Chernow! This read like a novel, not a biography. It is 1200 pages but never boring. A comprehensive look at the man who gave us some of the best quips, a newspaper man and eccentric celebrity. by @lorivirelli

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10 months ago

Merry Christmas 🎄 taken in The Well by @lorivirelli

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10 months ago

aquarium with my shark girl taken in Shedd Aquarium by @lorivirelli

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10 months ago

Happiest of birthdays to dear Nick! Gone from good boy to great man before my eyes. Blessings to this brave and kind soul ❤️ by @lorivirelli

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10 months ago

Happy birthday, sunshine! 20! 💐🥳🎈 by @lorivirelli

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a year ago

Trip to see the kids in Berlin, Vienna, and Athens ❤️ by @lorivirelli

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2 years ago

Happy birthday to the best, my favorite, always up for adventure and never without a snack! ❤️🥳 by @lorivirelli

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2 years ago

The Virelli kids are off on an adventure. Nick left for a semester in Berlin, Germany and Lola left for a semester in Athens, Greece. So proud of them! 🛫🌍 by @lorivirelli

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2 years ago