Traveling around southern Europe with my best friend and brother keeps me on my toes. I left Florence, Italy July 3 and have experienced Chianti, Cinque Terre, Nice (France), and finally Barcelona (Spain). I was ill for the first four days of our journey together, and the train definitely did not help with the nausea. However, my best friend is a supportive person with positive energy that rubs off on everyone, so we have been optimistic through the surprises.
The country side of Tuscany was stunning. We enjoyed a hike through the hills of Chianti and tasted home-made wine and food. The family that served us was very hospitable and their house was charming.
Cinque Terre was an adventure. Hiking through the villages was definitely a challenge that made me sweat and feel refreshed from being sick. The views of the Mediterranean Sea were phenomenal and the walkways were romantic. My favorite hike was the most challenging, from Corniglia to Vernazza. Experiencing it with my best friend made it even better.
The next day, Monday, we traveled by train to Nice, France. We only had a chance to stay one night, but I loved the city. The nightlife was fun and the people were very friendly. Lugging an 80 pound suitcase around has not been the highlight of the trip though. That is why I am glad we finally made it to Barcelona!
Today we experienced a free walking tour with an animated Aussie and danced around with strangers; it was the most exciting walking tour I have ever been on. Now we are about to take a Spanish cooking class to make Tapas, Sangria, and Paella. I am stoked and will write soon.
Natalie
