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• Italy

So Italia. This country seems to be the first one to come to mind when someone thinks of Europe. And there are plenty of reasons why. Wine, food, history, art, beaches, shopping, festivals, culture. Italy, though not needing any more of an ego boost, really presents everything anyone is looking for. The North is full of mountains and lakes that flow into the central valleys that is Tuscany and the rolling hills become rocky cliffs that empty into the expansive and blue Mediterranean. A major part in really exploring Italy is taking trains and buses to smaller cities and towns, ones untouched by museum regulations and tourists. However, one cannot escape the chaos that reigns in the regional capitals. A traveler can easily take 2 months to explore this country alone. There is so much to see, do, take in. The history and art overwhelms the mind, senses and soul while the markets and shops robs the wallet, making it necessary to head out to the white sands and cliffs of the coastline.

I spent a week in Florence and a week in Rome. They were separate trips which made it so much easier to flood my mind with information then reassess what I saw and learned on the flight home. Sidenote: bring a journal to record everything. You will kick yourself later if you do not. Even forgetting the simplest thing will break your heart and wish for a time machine. Plus, at least personally, I love researching art and historical information after coming across it in person and learning even more about it. Writing down what I saw in what church on what street in what city helps me immensely in understanding the extent to its purpose and effect.

Anyways, these two cities are a must. I could go into infinite detail about both but it is simply not possible to cover everything. Rome, the ancient capital on our world, is full of antiquity that we in America just cannot fully understand, until you are standing in the center of the Pantheon or seating on an old, broken column in the Forum. The great thing about Rome is that, though the city is fairly large and contains weeks worth of activities, the metro is super easy and convenient and so much can be seen from one museum to the next. Plus, walking burns calories which allows for more gelato eating. Florence, in the heart is beautiful Tuscany,

is a small city but full of surprises. The Duomo dwarfs anything within miles and the swift Arno is a welcomed sight after getting lost in the tiny alleys. Sidenote: Any one going to or getting back from Italy should read The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone. This book is one my all-time favorites and it completely puts into perspective the magnificence of the art and architecture I saw.

• Interests

Just wanted to write a brief blurb on interests. Obviously, when traveling, take part in activities and museums that interest you. However, if you have time, step out of your box a little bit. Cross your boundary and try something local and cultural and have your mind opened. Also, I did a lot of traveling in groups and though it is fun to stay and experience things together, it gets really hard. Leave afternoons free for people to do and see what they want, marking some place for dinner to meet. Everyone will be much happier and life is much easier.