6.27.2014

Venezia, Italia


Alright, so the plan is to get the rest of our Europe trip posted on the blog 
within the next couple weeks. It has taken me forever (like an entire year) to get this trip 
all documented on here, and I'm ready to finish it all up! With our big move to Virginia happening 
in less than two months, I'm super excited to blog about the move and our East Coast adventures!

Next we journeyed to... VENICE!
We took about an hour train ride from Verona to Venice. 
This city is truly a gem and one of my most favorite places on the planet. 
It's so magical and romantic. It was so much fun exploring and getting lost with my love. 
We would actually try to get lost, because there's only so far you can go when you're on an island.


Soon after we arrived in Venice, we found a laundromat and did some laundry.
This was much needed after two weeks of living out of only a small carry-on each.
On the way back to the hotel, we got caught in the pouring rain. Below is my stylish rain bonnet.

Later that evening, we wandered through the city and admired all the beautiful canals and bridges.
Our favorite part was spending time at Piazzo San Marco (St. Mark's Square).
We danced to an Italian orchestra, visited the Bridge of Sighs, 
and enjoyed gorgonzola gnocci and margarita pizza for dinner. It was all so perfect.



This is the view from the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal.
We shared some amazing Nutella gelato while enjoying this gorgeous view.

The next day we explored more of Venice (in the rain). 
That green umbrella saved us many times throughout our trip.

The Grand Canal


The Rialto Bridge






The next day was our final full day in Venice. It was definitely adventurous!


We took a Vaporetto (water taxi) to the small island of Murano, 
which is well-known for its famous glass blowing. It took about a half hour to get there.
The guy below was the owner of a glass shop, and we watched him make little, glass butterflies.




We rushed to a factory to see the last glass blowing demonstration of the day.




We watched this man heat, blow, and pull a beautfiul glass fish. It was so neat and crazy to see.
They said these men spend much of their lives apprenticing and training to become glass masters.


I gave in and became a legit tourist. I just had to have this sweatshirt off a cart.

Spencer and I became absolutely addicted to this lemon drink. 
We still talk about what we would give to have one!

On our last morning in Venice, Spencer took me on a romantic gondola ride!
This was such a highlight for the both of us! I will never forget it.


We started the ride by the Rialto Bridge, passed Marco Polo's home and the oldest church in Venice, and rode down some very narrow canals under gorgeous, old bridges. It was incredible!


I do love him so.


Below is one of my favorite pics from the whole trip!





Our gondolier was pretty funny. 
I asked him to sing to me in Italian like Andrea Bocelli. He said no. 
I asked him if I could wear his special hat for a picture. He said no. 
That's ok though, he didn't paddle us into any motor boats or walls, and that's all that mattered.

We then went back to the hotel, grabbed our bags, 
bought some fresh strawberries at the outdoor market, and headed to the airport!


Next up, our favorite, favorite, favorite...
Positano.


2.22.2014

O Romeo, Romeo!


"...Wherefore art thou Romeo?"

From Siena, we caught a train to Florence (where I had to pay 1.5 Euro to use the train station bathroom, say what?), then Florence to Bologna and Bologna to Verona.  One of our favorite things while travelling through many train stations in Europe was the Coke Zero promotion that was happening, where Coke Zero girls were handing out free mini cans at most major stations.  We loved cracking open those fun-sized, cold cans after getting off long train rides.

Then... we arrived in Verona.  What can I say?  It was such a wonderful surprise!  It was way more than we expected it to be.  We were blown away by the beauty and colors of the city within the walls, the culture of people dining outside, the ancient Roman arena, ah-mazing shops, the romance, and of course, Juliet's balcony.  THIS... is the place to stroll.  We wandered until the wee hours, enjoying gelato, sitting on park benches, and window shopping in oober expensive designer stores.  Spencer researched a delicious Italian restaurant to take me to for dinner.  We had spinach noodle lasagna with meat sauce and meat-filled tortellini in cream sauce with ham pieces.  It was insanely delicious.  A sweet, old Italian man cooked it up for us.  Oh how I loooved this city.  It was a major highlight.


These are super neat panoramic pictures Spencer took with his iPhone. Love them.



Arena di Verona (built in 30 AD)
This is one of the best preserved ancient structures in the world. Incredible.







Here it is... Juliet's balcony!  This was so neat to see.  
The only problem, a million other tourists wanted to see it at the same time too.
We had to time it perfectly to get a pic without someone walking out to look over the balcony.


One of my favorite movies is "Letters to Juliet",
so naturally I was bummed to not see holes in the wall to leave her a letter!







This is my "fountain pose".



There was a really fun market going on in the square.
We loved strolling and picking out delicious, fruity treats.


In this shop, we bought the most delicious cheesy pizza I have ever tasted. Seriously amazing!!

We just had to go back for seconds...



Just outside the walls was this gorgeous view.


We then had to book it back to the hotel, grab our bags, and head off the to train station.
Next up... Venezia here we come!