Valentine's day getaways for one...NapoliWhen I travel I just know where I need to be in terms of days or hours, and usually lose track of the actual date or even the day of the week. So when I was checking in at my hostel in Napoli I had totally forgotten that it was Valentine's Day. Although I was quickly reminded when the girl pointed out it was "my day" and a guy working there handed me a rose. International Valentine ✓. After dropping off my backpack (I decided to walk all the way from the train station and it took me close to an hour.) I followed the advice of the hostel and headed up the hill for a panoramic view of the entire city...at sunset...on Valentine's Day. Needless to say it was pretty busy but the view was well worth the hike. Following a long walk through the city I headed towards the famous Via dei Tribunali street for some pizza. I avoided the most famous (mainly because I was intimidated by the throng of people gathered at the front of the restaurant) and just settled on one of the less crowded ones. It didn't take me long to get a table and took even less time for them to bring out my order. With pizzas starting at 3.50 euros I guess they need to know a thing or 2 about rapid turnover. True Determination...Amalfi CoastSince I wasn't able to make the Amalfi coast happen from Sorrento, I altered my plans and decided to see if from the other route, via Salerno. I mapped out an itinerary that would get me there around 9:45 am but from my previous experience, I should have known that just wasn't going to happen. I woke up bright and early Sunday morning and after a little stress with the metro (I missed my train because I wasn't able to get my ticket to print) I managed to make my train to Salerno. This is where my absentmindedness set in. I missed my stop and then when I got back onto the train towards Salerno, I got off a stop too early. Unfortunately transportation wasn't the only thing I was grappling with (although be it my fault) and I was enjoying all these new places in the rain. Eventually I ended up having to take a bus into the city and by the time I made it to Salerno, I'd been traveling for 3 hours and was 15 minutes past my forecasted arrival to Amalfi. Plenty of time for one last hiccup..."oh, the bus to Amalfi? I don't believe it's running today". I anxiously waited until 11:30...11:35...maybe today wasn't my day again? ...11:37 the bus rounded the corner and I was Amalfi bound! I'm sure you're wondering if after all the hassle it was really worth it? Even through all the rain and clouds... 100% yes! The views from the bus alone were worth it. Honestly, the best 2.20 I've ever spent on public transportation (although with all the extra trains and buses I took on my journey it was probably a little bit more than that). For the rest of the day I explored the tiny coastal towns of Amalfi and Maiori, continually being blown away by how gorgeous everything was. Even though there wasn't a whole lot to do in either town (considering it was the off season), I managed to find an open gelateria and a bench by the sea (it stopped raining long enough for me to enjoy my gelato and a couple chapters in my book). Then I caught the bus back to Salerno, the train back to Naples and enjoyed my last meal in Italy (pizza of course) before heading back to Geneva the next morning. Even though this is my second year in Europe and I've already been to 13 different countries and well over 38 cities (just counting all the major ones I've taken specific trips for but between volleyball, weekend day trips and getting to said destinations, I've likely been to twice that number), my list only continues to grow. I'm constantly learning about new places and often times after visiting certain countries, (ie Austria, Spain and Italy) I just want to see it all. After season I'll be able to resume my travels and attempt to make my list a little bit shorter, although I'm almost certain that's impossible. So far I'll be able to check a new country off my list (hopefully 4) and 7 new cities (hopefully 12) while being able to revisit some of my favorites. Let the countdown begin!
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Just a little sneak preview...RomeSince being in Europe I have become progressively more frugal. Cheap? Economical? Yeah, I’m gonna go with economical, sounds less stingy. As you know, I’m all about finding ways to save money and get the biggest bang for my buck, so coming across skyscanner and rome2rio have been lifesaving. From searching for cheap flights from “Geneva to Everywhere” (often times those under $40 flights determine my travel itinerary) to finding the best way to get from point A to point B (flights, buses, trains, carpooling, boats, rome2rio does it all), I'm able to take in as much of Europe while on a budget. Basically, round trip flights are a thing of the past. Although I plan to visit Rome this summer with my parents, a $40 dollar flight (and $20 train ride) was hard to pass up. So instead of flying directly into Naples, I added one extra stop to my list and in the end saved money. Sounds like a win-win to me. With a few hours to kill before my train to Sorrento I strolled the streets of Rome, building anticipation for May. Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish steps, Trevi fountain (I hope it’s not under construction when I go back!) and of course some pizza and gelato to start the trip off right. The final verdict? Couldn’t be more excited to go back and continue my exploration among some of my favorite travel company :) sorry Amalfi, it's just not meant to be...SorrentoMy original plan was to stay in Sorrento and take a day trip to the Amalfi coast, but it turns out mother nature had other plans. Unfortunately the roads were blocked due to a landslide and the buses were no longer running. Then by the time I decided to try and go by scooter, it was too late and the rental shops had none available. So I decided to throw in the towel and accept that I would be spending the day in Sorrento. There are definitely worse places to be stranded. I spent most of my time either buried in a book or just roaming the city streets. As long as I was soaking in some good ol’ Italian sunshine I was happy. In retrospect, it was probably one of my favorite days. I mean how could you not be happy with this view?? I finished the day with a big bowl of pasta from a restaurant recommended to me by a local, and a cone of the best gelato I’ve ever had (well I actually ate my gelato before dinner because it’s just too hard to wait). Although I was a little bummed at the beginning of the day that I wouldn't be able to make it to the Amalfi coast, that was the furthest thing from my mind at the end of it. Blast from the past...PompeiiCan I just start off by saying Romans were some seriously smart cookies? I was already impressed with the incredible architecture in Rome, but being able to see how they lived back in the day was downright astounding. Raised sidewalks, sewers, marble stones to reflect moonlight, local “fast food” joints, spas with lockers and sauna rooms, the list goes on and on. They really were quite ingenious. When I read that I would need 2-3 hours to tour Pompeii, I thought it sounded a bit lengthy. I ended up being there for 4 1/2. I suppose strolling the streets, admiring what remains of a city “frozen in time” was more enjoyable than I had imagined it being. After walking around those cobblestone streets for that long, it was time to give my feet a break and move on to the next city. I can't help but wonder how they did it everyday though, and in leather sandals too! I guess they really were as tough as we portray them to be. My last two stops: NAPLES and AMALFI (postponed but I made it!)
Spain is undoubtably in the running for my favorite European country. My first experience was several weeks ago relaxing on a beach in Malaga, and now I was able to experience the liveliness of the capital city. Not only is the country gorgeous (well the 2 cities I’ve seen) but the Spanish lifestyle and culture is definitely one worth experiencing. I have never felt anything but welcome. The people are so hospitable and there are so many beautiful places to explore. The sun wasn’t even out for most of my trip but I enjoyed wandering the streets, appreciating the diverse architecture and savoring some delicious Spanish food. Top 3 things about Madrid:1. I love how green the city is. There are so many parks and plazas spread out through the city. It always made for a perfect way to enjoy the sunshine, when it managed to come out of course. 2. I loved walking down Gran Via street. It was always filled with people no matter the time of day and I just couldn’t get over how beautiful the buildings were. 3. I like to keep my trips pretty cheap, without missing out on the main attractions of course, so when certain sights are free (even if only for a few hours or one day a week) I always try and take advantage. This time I was able to appreciate the works of some of Spain’s most renowned artists: Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Francisco de Goya and many others. After 3 days in Madrid I took an EARLY morning flight to my other favorite European country, Italy. It had been almost a year so I was about ready for my gelato and pizza fix and thought, what better place than the birthplace of pizza?? Still to come: ROME, SORRENTO, POMPEII, NAPLES, and AMALFI.
When I decided to play overseas, I could not have predicted having such mind blowing experiences. After a year and a half, I can confidently say "I have an addiction", a travel addiction. I feel more at ease in a new, unfamiliar place than back at my "home base". I miss trains, get on the wrong bus, walk through giant puddles of water and none of it phases me. I missed my stop because I was too distracted reading? Ok, I'll just hop on the next train. I get off the train too early and the next one doesn't come for 2 hours? Alright I'll wander the city asking locals where to take the bus from. I see it less as something going wrong and more as an opportunity. An opportunity to explore the unknown, discover new places, meet new people, create unforgettable memories and expand my knowledge of the world and of myself. "The greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted" -Bill BrysonWhen I started traveling I was checking off big cities and popular destinations. Don't get me wrong, I still try and hit up all the tourist spots and am still counting the days until I get to gaze up at the Sistine Chapel (I mean hey they attract tourists for a reason), but these aren't where my favorite memories come from. They come from the random conversations with locals that happen while I eat my churros and chocolate in the plaza or my veggie friendly meal in a local restaurant. They come from escaping the crowds in a local cafe, to getting lost in the tiny back streets. From wandering the streets among locals going about their everyday routines, to finding a way to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak the same language. From people watching in the sunshine, to admiring the sunset with a panoramic view of the entire city. From enjoying a cheap breakfast in the park, to spending hours perched on a wall overlooking the sea relishing in a good book. These are the moments that are impossible to capture with a camera. "Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world." -Gustave Flaubert When I think back to all the places I have visited, the emotions that come up, the ones that say "what a great city", "it was alright" (which is RARE) or "yep, I'm coming back to this place!" are for the most part determined by these experiences. Yes, the spectacular views, gorgeous architecture and insane amount of history in most European cities is still as enthralling as it was on day one, but I have really started to love and seek out these "do it like the locals", everyday kind of experiences. The sights are still essential, but relaxing in a plaza, observing everyday life unfold is right up there with seeing the Eiffel Tower and the Berlin Wall. "Travel has a way of stretching the mind. The stretch comes not from travel's immediate rewards, the inevitable myriad of new sights, smells and sounds, but with experiencing firsthand how others do differently what we believed to be the right and only way" -Ralph Crawshaw So where was my most recent adventure that led me to such a conclusion? Well, I spent 3 nights in Madrid, 2 nights off the coast of Italy in Sorrento and 2 nights in Naples with a few cities in between: Rome, Pompeii, Amalfi, Salerno and some accidental stops due to my absentmindedness. Since it won’t be easy to recount everything from my week trip in one blog, I’m going to break it up over several entries. First up: MADRID, SPAIN!
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