When people ask about our trip to Europe, the first question that comes up is "what was your favorite part". Honestly, I can't pick a favorite. Every country, every place, every new day, had it's own reason for being perfect.
I've always wanted to go explore Europe and for 28 years I've only been able to view these amazing cities in photographs and on the Travel channel. The time came when we realistically said, "we’re going to Europe". The planning was actually fun because we had a blank canvas. We weren’t going with a group, no travel guide so we could pick the country, city, amount of time, everything. There were a few things in Europe that were on my bucket list and I soon realized that I was about to check them off.
If you ask me "what was my favorite part of the trip", you better be ready to listen for at least five minutes because I get so excited and proud that we were able to take this kind of amazing trip. Everyone then says, "that sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime trip". Then I say, until we go to Paris, Amsterdam and Cape Town in 2015 (Victoria warned me about the European travel itch-I caught it).
Well, now for my favorite parts of the trip and items checked off my bucket list
London
I've always had this picture in my mind...walk into a British pub after being drenched by the oh so common rain, drink a pint and dry off in front of the fireplace. We did it! It was awesome and at that point I realized, this trip is going to be amazing.
English Premier League football match. Fulham vs Man City, but the teams didn't matter only that I wanted to see an EPL match. The seats didn't matter, but we were in the second row. I actually liked that it drizzled the whole game because it made it more authentic. No modern stadium here, Craven Cottage was built for football only in 1896.
Let’s not forget Buckingham Palace, Scotland Yard, outdoor ice skating and a ride on the London Eye.
Switzerland
I skied for the first time and it was in the Alps.
The Chococcino is the best drink of all time!
Italy
We climbed the Tower of Pisa (I still feel a little dizzy).
The David was surreal to see in person.
Venice was just simply beautiful. The canals, the bridges and winding streets and every night was capped by a beautiful sunset. Of course, what would a trip to Venice be without a Gondola ride.
We saw where St. Peter and St. Mark (yeah, the Gospel writer) are buried.
The Vatican. Growing up in the Catholic Church, the Vatican is a must see. She didn't disappoint. So grand, so majestic and so humbling.
We saw the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, only places I've dreamed about. The Colosseum was breathtaking and even better that we got to explore the bottom level. Only recently were visitors allowed, so to be on the same level where the gladiators were elevated up to the fighting platform was simply amazing (I may or may not have a piece of that history).
However, if you don't have five minutes, here my highlights:
1. Pubs, pies and football
2. We spent Christmas in a Switzerland wonderland, gallivanting through the Alps.
3. We rang in 2014 in the streets of Rome, a place that was built over 2000 years ago.
4. We saw the burial site of St. Mark and St. Peter while taking in the Majesty of the Vatican.
P.S. We did have a trip planner and travel guide. Her name is Victoria Brosseau and she truly made this trip one to remember.
Okay, he won me over with that last line! The Editor is no longer upset because of missed deadlines. Kevin can always come back to guest blog here!
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