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Le Cone
Day 1- Paris, France
So why if I am in Paris would I want to show you a picture of me posing with a large ice cream cone is what you are wondering…well, I laugh at this picture now because at the time (since it was our first day in Europe) we had no clue of the obsession that would come around during our 10 days in Europe. We loved Gelato. We were in Paris only a total of 2 days (1 day at the beginning and 1 day at the end). While we were in Italy though we were Gelato obsessed, eating it every chance we got. Dustin and I almost cried when we arrived back to Paris at the end of the trip and realized no more Gelato. Actually, all the Parisians like are pastries and crepes (which I am not really a big fan of). In fact, our last day we searched and searched for ice cream and all we could find was lousy haagen-dazs.
Another funny thing about this picture is that while we were walking around Paris that first day, Dustin and I got hounded by a bunch of beggers. Living in Austin it is not something new to us, but we could tell that they targeted us since we looked like tourists from the U.S. After many “no’s” to them and trying to say that that we didn’t speak French, a lady came up to Dustin and in perfect English said something like “excuse me, can you help, etc, etc..” The best part was Dustin’s response…. he said in Spanish of all languages “No hablo ingles”…the best part was that the lady actually started laughing.
What is wrong with this picture???
Day 2- Interlaken, Switzerland
A picture is worth a thousand words…ya know there were so many amazingly beautiful pics from this first day in Interlaken, but none as great at this. The joke is that renting the bicycles was actually my idea. I thought “oh how fun, let’s rent them and cycle leisurely around the lake.” Well, apparently I did not think that perhaps there would be hills…lots of them (I mean we were in Switzerland right!!!) and that well, I have not ridden a bike in about 8 months or so. We really wanted to get to the big waterfall, but as you can see from the picture here, Dustin wanted it a little more than me. Too bad he couldn’t have done it with me sitting on the bike cause then we probably would have made it!
LauterbrunnenDay 3- Interlaken, Switzerland
This day had one of my most favorite hikes we have done. Switzerland is beautiful and so peaceful. The trail we took was a relaxing one with very few other hikers…it was a pleasant temperature despite the snow on the ground. We hiked, took a gondola and went to an underground waterfall. A perfect Swiss day!
Day 4- Interlaken, Switzerland
There were a bunch of great pics from this day- we did another hike taking us up and overlooking the town of Interlaken. But the best was renting the scooter and driving it around the lake to the waterfall (ya know the one we never made it to via bicycle). It was a beautiful waterfall- Geissbach Falls was the name. Waterfalls mean a lot to us…for those of you that don’t know, Dustin proposed to me on top of one in Maui. So, basically wherever we travel to if there is a waterfall to be seen we are there.
Venice
Lance Armstrong at the Giro!
Our hike- you can see the trail vaguely alongside the hills
Beach in Monterosso
Not worth it!
Tuscany Heaven!
Catacombs in Paris...ooooohhhh
Le Tour Eiffel
This day had one of my most favorite hikes we have done. Switzerland is beautiful and so peaceful. The trail we took was a relaxing one with very few other hikers…it was a pleasant temperature despite the snow on the ground. We hiked, took a gondola and went to an underground waterfall. A perfect Swiss day!
Giessbach Falls
Day 4- Interlaken, Switzerland
There were a bunch of great pics from this day- we did another hike taking us up and overlooking the town of Interlaken. But the best was renting the scooter and driving it around the lake to the waterfall (ya know the one we never made it to via bicycle). It was a beautiful waterfall- Geissbach Falls was the name. Waterfalls mean a lot to us…for those of you that don’t know, Dustin proposed to me on top of one in Maui. So, basically wherever we travel to if there is a waterfall to be seen we are there.
Venice
Lance Armstrong at the Giro!More...
Dustin’s favorite part of the trip for sure…and I loved it too. I mean who doesn’t like Venice! Italy in general is wonderful because
1. Gelato
2. I typically eat an entire pizza at dinner and feel no guilt whatsoever
3. Italy oozes romance
4. VINO! It is cheaper than bottled water…how great is that!
5. Gelato :-)
The really cool part about our time in Venice was that the Tour of Italy AKA Giro d’Italia was starting on the island of Lido (across from Venice). We spent one day in Venice roaming around and the other day on Lido enjoying the tour. Best thing was we got to see Team Astana and Lance Armstrong took a pic with Dustin. I love this picture because Dustin looks like a giddy little boy!
Dustin’s favorite part of the trip for sure…and I loved it too. I mean who doesn’t like Venice! Italy in general is wonderful because
1. Gelato
2. I typically eat an entire pizza at dinner and feel no guilt whatsoever
3. Italy oozes romance
4. VINO! It is cheaper than bottled water…how great is that!
5. Gelato :-)
The really cool part about our time in Venice was that the Tour of Italy AKA Giro d’Italia was starting on the island of Lido (across from Venice). We spent one day in Venice roaming around and the other day on Lido enjoying the tour. Best thing was we got to see Team Astana and Lance Armstrong took a pic with Dustin. I love this picture because Dustin looks like a giddy little boy!
Our hike- you can see the trail vaguely alongside the hills
Beach in MonterossoDay 7/8- La Spezia and Cinque Terre, Italy
And then it was time for the coast of Italy! Oh how beautiful it was- very picturesque! It also was my 29th Birthday!!! Again, like before there are soooo many pics we loved from our time there, but I went with these two. Our first day there we decided to go for the hike between the 5 cities. It is supposedly a 5 hour hike, but Dustin and I are proud to say we completed it in 3 and a half hours. I guess I was thinking it would not be too hot so I actually had Jean Capris on for the hike which was a complete mistake!!! I was sweating to death! Before we headed out from La Spezia (where our hotel was) to the furthest city called Monterosso to start the hike, we learned that the local trains were actually on strike. The issue with that at the time was the only way back to La Spezia from the closest city (after we completed the hike) was by train. We decided to take our chances and we went anyway. The hike was pretty strenuous. You can get an idea of the type of trail it was from the picture here. This is looking back at part of the trail we had already taken along the side of the hills. We travelled from Monterosso to Vernazza to Corniglia to Manarola to Riomaggiore. Here came the tricky part. We get there and realize maybe this train strike is going to ruin everything! Lucky for us we only had to wait an hour or so before a train arrived to rescue us! It was hilarious because everyone was cheering. We got back to our hotel and talked to my parents, Dustin’s parents, and my sister since not only was it my birthday, but it was also mother’s day. We ended my birthday with a great Italian dinner. The second day in Cinque Terre we went back to the great beaches in Monterosso and relaxed for the day. A funny thing there was we were laying out enjoying the Italian beach and culture when all of a sudden a familiar song started playing…the guy who rented us the beach chairs had his ipod hooked up to speakers and what do you know he started playing good old Garth Brooks! We just laughed…to think we were all the way across the world in Italy of all places.
And then it was time for the coast of Italy! Oh how beautiful it was- very picturesque! It also was my 29th Birthday!!! Again, like before there are soooo many pics we loved from our time there, but I went with these two. Our first day there we decided to go for the hike between the 5 cities. It is supposedly a 5 hour hike, but Dustin and I are proud to say we completed it in 3 and a half hours. I guess I was thinking it would not be too hot so I actually had Jean Capris on for the hike which was a complete mistake!!! I was sweating to death! Before we headed out from La Spezia (where our hotel was) to the furthest city called Monterosso to start the hike, we learned that the local trains were actually on strike. The issue with that at the time was the only way back to La Spezia from the closest city (after we completed the hike) was by train. We decided to take our chances and we went anyway. The hike was pretty strenuous. You can get an idea of the type of trail it was from the picture here. This is looking back at part of the trail we had already taken along the side of the hills. We travelled from Monterosso to Vernazza to Corniglia to Manarola to Riomaggiore. Here came the tricky part. We get there and realize maybe this train strike is going to ruin everything! Lucky for us we only had to wait an hour or so before a train arrived to rescue us! It was hilarious because everyone was cheering. We got back to our hotel and talked to my parents, Dustin’s parents, and my sister since not only was it my birthday, but it was also mother’s day. We ended my birthday with a great Italian dinner. The second day in Cinque Terre we went back to the great beaches in Monterosso and relaxed for the day. A funny thing there was we were laying out enjoying the Italian beach and culture when all of a sudden a familiar song started playing…the guy who rented us the beach chairs had his ipod hooked up to speakers and what do you know he started playing good old Garth Brooks! We just laughed…to think we were all the way across the world in Italy of all places.
Not worth it!
Tuscany Heaven!Day 8/9- Florence/Tuscany and the Chianti Wine region, Italy
After the coast we headed inland to Florence. After scoring a great fake purse in Venice I thought I would look for one for my mom and mom-in-law…yep that didn’t happen after all. Dustin and I were freaked when we saw these No Fakes signs everywhere! Basically if you are caught buying one off the street you can be fined 500 to 10,000 euros…um yeah NO THANKS! Sorry moms! Overall Florence was fun…it is definitely a dirtier city, but the wine country makes up for it 100 times over. Being the wine lover that I am, I was in heaven the day we did the Tuscany Wine Bike Tour. We had a great time and seeing the countryside was really fun on the bike. That night after a full day Dustin and I boarded our final train for our trip…however, it was unlike any we had been on…it was an overnight train back to Paris. We shared the room which had 2 sets of bunk beds with this really nice gentleman from Rome. Dustin and I both took top bunks and although Dustin slept well…I did not. That will probably be my last overnight train if I can help it. Glad I can say I did it once though!
After the coast we headed inland to Florence. After scoring a great fake purse in Venice I thought I would look for one for my mom and mom-in-law…yep that didn’t happen after all. Dustin and I were freaked when we saw these No Fakes signs everywhere! Basically if you are caught buying one off the street you can be fined 500 to 10,000 euros…um yeah NO THANKS! Sorry moms! Overall Florence was fun…it is definitely a dirtier city, but the wine country makes up for it 100 times over. Being the wine lover that I am, I was in heaven the day we did the Tuscany Wine Bike Tour. We had a great time and seeing the countryside was really fun on the bike. That night after a full day Dustin and I boarded our final train for our trip…however, it was unlike any we had been on…it was an overnight train back to Paris. We shared the room which had 2 sets of bunk beds with this really nice gentleman from Rome. Dustin and I both took top bunks and although Dustin slept well…I did not. That will probably be my last overnight train if I can help it. Glad I can say I did it once though!
Catacombs in Paris...ooooohhhh
Le Tour Eiffel Day 10/11- Back to Paris
Our last full day in Europe was back in Paris. We went to see the underground Parisian Catacombs…I had no clue it was going to be so morbid! There were bones and skulls everywhere. Dustin and I both agreed that life really is short and some day we both will be just a pile of bones! We ran over to see what all the fuss was about in Moulin Rouge as well as at Montmartre (the highest point in Paris). A rain storm came in that afternoon so it was nap time, but we did make it that evening back to the Eiffel Tower for one last look…this time at night with it lit up beautifully! The next morning we left Paris. Unfortunately I got sick…I’m pretty sure it was the dinner from our last night, but either way the 12 hour flight home was miserable. Typically I would be sad to have vacation over, but at the time I couldn’t wait to get back home and feel better. I am just thankful I got sick at the very end and not in the middle of the trip!
Our last full day in Europe was back in Paris. We went to see the underground Parisian Catacombs…I had no clue it was going to be so morbid! There were bones and skulls everywhere. Dustin and I both agreed that life really is short and some day we both will be just a pile of bones! We ran over to see what all the fuss was about in Moulin Rouge as well as at Montmartre (the highest point in Paris). A rain storm came in that afternoon so it was nap time, but we did make it that evening back to the Eiffel Tower for one last look…this time at night with it lit up beautifully! The next morning we left Paris. Unfortunately I got sick…I’m pretty sure it was the dinner from our last night, but either way the 12 hour flight home was miserable. Typically I would be sad to have vacation over, but at the time I couldn’t wait to get back home and feel better. I am just thankful I got sick at the very end and not in the middle of the trip!
Dustin and I had a great time and I hope you enjoyed reading this horribly long post!
More Summer vacation postings to come…
More Summer vacation postings to come…
1 comment:
I have some serious vacation envy after reading your post and seeing your pictures! Sounds like such an amazing trip...and my husband is going to be way jealous about the Lance Armstrong bit!!!
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