Exploring Naples

Following Barcelona, Provence, Florence, and Rome, our next stop was Naples.

The city famous for its pizza. 

And laundry lines crossing the city skies.

My parents went off on a tour of Mt Vesuvius and Ancient Pompeii, and maybe, in retrospect, I should have too.  

But instead, I took a little alone time to explore Naples.

Which, honestly, didn't seem to have too much to offer, except maybe a lack of tourists.

I hoofed it off the boat and into the town. Following the crowds through the city streets. 

I meandered through a semi-open air mall with what seemed like mostly locals. 

Napoleons?

Without a map, or a guidebook, or any information on Naples, I had no clue all of the places I was passing.

A castle, a plaza, and a giant volcano in the distance.

I browsed through local clothing stores, and a few tiny gift shops peddling epicurean treats, peppers, espresso, and lemon everything.

As the day became hotter, I had sweat through my clothes, and my feet couldn't take any more flip flopping through town, I gave up on my short-lived dream of sipping an espresso in Naples.

Instead I returned to the port where I dined on some Naples Style pizza, ice cold Coca-Light, and Italian beer. 

In front of a castle.

 A few hours later, Mom and Dad returned to the ship and we sat out on our balcony watching the pilot navigate our ship out of port, passing by what I would now know as Mt Vesuvius, as the moon rose by its side.

And finally, back out to sea, heading out of Italy and east towards Greece. 

Rome With a View

It's been a while since my latest installment of European posts...

I've had this draft sitting around for a while, and in the midst of the chilly winter, remembering the heat of summer in Europe is more than welcome around these parts.

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Let's put this out there, I love Rome.

There is something about it that reminds me of home. 

The big city that you can cover on foot. 

So much history and so many sights that can be easily traversed.

Like San Francisco. 

But in Italy.  

One side of town is the Coliseum and ancient ruins. 

The other side has the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.

It's like Union Square and the Embarcadero. 

Last year's Rome day was the equivalent of this year's Florence day.

Long, hard, and exhausting.

We covered almost the entire city and the Vatican in a 14 hour tour. 

It was TOO much.

This year, I took charge. 

I told my parents we were going to do Rome, and I was going to play tour guide.

I have a really great sense of direction, and after last year's overview, I felt like I could navigate us around fairly easily.

My check list included the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps.

All the rest was negotiable. 

(I think it should be noted, I decided to leave my big camera on the ship, so every photo on this day was from my iPhone) 

Our bus dropped us off right in front of the Coliseum.

And we were off.

After listening to a few tips from our bus coordinator, I managed to get me and my parents on the Roman subway system, transfer lines, and arrive across town at the Spanish steps. 

Together. And in one piece.

Miracles do happen, folks. 

The number one question I got after last year's Roman Holiday, was "did you see the Spanish Steps?!?"

It was the one sight our tour did not cover.

With the popularity of that question, I knew it had to be on the top of our list.

It was about 95* at 10am, and the sun was FULL blaze on the Steps, but we spent sometime admiring them, climbing them, and finding the limited shadowy spots to take a few pictures.

We also made a quick stop into the cutest tea shop that was right next to the steps.

It was a nice relief from the heat.  But I was so hot I could barely think straight, let alone think about tea or pastries.

But I still was able to grab a few of their special tea blends to bring home.

Next up we navigated our way to the Trevi Fountain. 

I still need to blog last year's adventure, but it was the highlight of my day.

We had gotten there early in the day, the stairs around the fountain were plentiful with shade, and I ordered a cappucino to sip on the cool stone ledge. 

This time was slightly different. 

It was high noon. Full sun.

And a gagillion people.

Mom, Dad and I were all in agreement, let's take a few selfies, and get out of here.

So we did.

We knew our next goal was lunch.

And we were heading in the direction back towards the Coliseum. 

We walked a few shady side streets until we found a restaurant that seemed not too crowded, cool, and with a simple menu.

Also, wi-fi.

I saw our waiter doing this little party trick for a kid at another table, and asked him to show me how.
He helped us turn our Coca-Light and Fanta Bottles upside down on the palm of our hands without any grip.
These Italians are funny!

After our tummies were full from pizza, bruschetta, and coca-light we headed back out into the heat,
and towards the Pantheon.
 (Not to be confused with the Parthenon, which I would visit a few days later.)

And then we grabbed some gelato and walked back towards the Coliseum.
Stopping at the "Wedding Cake" or Venetian Palace.
A white marble monstrosity smack in the middle of town.
The sun blazing off the stone beckoned me to adventure to the top.

The views of the city and towards the Vatican were worth it.
Domes for dayz.

Mom and Dad stayed down at the bottom.
Hello down there!
(Mom is in the yellow)

And in the other direction, the ruins.

And we finally circled back to the Coliseum, where I bought the cutest mug shaped like a Vespa.
And dad and I desperately tried to find a restroom before our bus left.
So, we explored a bit of the other side of the Coliseum.
(I think he was enjoying himself)

We made our bus, and the hour drive back to our ship, and enjoyed another lovely sunset as we cruised on towards our next port.

Firenze!!!

So, for my next installment of my 2012 European Adventures, is my day in Florence FIRENZE!
Sadly, it was not my favorite day, and I don't really have many nice words to say.
(I might have cried. Hard. Sobbed. In front of David. Like THE David. In the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze. It might have been the beginning of a panic attack. I might have dropped my favorite cheap watch and shattered the glass. I might have gotten yelled at by our aggressive Italian tour guide. I might have almost lost my tour group at the Ponte Vechhio. I might have wanted the vegetarian caprese salad at lunch instead of lasagna and a hunk of beef. I might have regretted not purchasing a beautiful leather purse from a street vendor. It might have been my birthday.)

Anyway, in lieu of any more of my words, I'd rather let the pictures speak for themselves.
Because despite my own Florence Issues, it is a beautiful city, with a crazy amount of history, and David statues (I saw 3) and incredible art, architecture, and culture, and I feel so fortunate that I got to walk those streets, see those sights, and eat their food.

I have been to Florence. Flo, if you will.

Not everyone can say that. So I know in the big picture, it was a wonderful day with Flo.
Also, I had the best cannoli of my life that day. So.

Europe 2012:
Day 1: Barcelona, Spain
Day 2: Aix en Provence, France

I'm Going, Going, Back, Back, to Italy.....

Yep!
Italy...I'm baaa-aaack!

Source: hipsterheart.tumblr.com via Kim on Pinterest

This time, we're in Venice.
Our ship has made it's final stop.
But we don't have to leave just yet.
We get a day to explore Venice!

I'm not exactly sure what we'll be doing - but we are here for the night - so we may be taking an evening ride on a Gondola!

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Kim on Pinterest

Touristy? Probably.
But I'm a tourist. So roll with it.

I am excited to be here.
I heard that Venice would be awesome.
So Venice, you have some expectations to live up to, got it?

On the otherside, 2010, we had also just docked at our final stop. Back to Dover, England.
They cattle called us off the ship. And we boarded a bus.
And drove along the trafficky freeway to Heathrow.
No fun stops.
And tons of rain.
So it was kind of hard to do any from the bus sightseeing.

But once inside Heathrow. And the super nice ticketing lady upgraded my mom and I's tickets to match dad's in Economy Plus (holler for 6" of extra leg room), we had a few hours to kill.
Which meant, shopping, and eating!

Since we really didn't get to explore England on this trip - I had two airport goals.
To have a cuppa tea in England. And some fish & chips.

I made sure both happened.
The cuppa tea was nothing to write home a blog about.
And the fish & chips were good.
But what really was awesome, was the Strawberry Cider I had with it.

So good that when I got home I had to look up where I could find it.
Bad news. They don't carry it in the states.

Also funny, the cider is Swedish. Wish I had known about it when I was in Sweden. I would have chug-a-lugged. Ikea, do you hear me? Please start stocking Rekorderlig. Pretty please?

It was like a strawberry fanta.

After lunch, mom and I did some shopping.

And um, the pound is an even worse conversion than the Euro.
Whoops. Again.

Oh well, we had fun!

So...

I guess that concludes Europe 2010 the Recap, and Europe 2011 the Preview.

Tomorrow, we disembark. And return to the States.

I am sure I will have plenty of tales to tell.

And thousands of pictures to share.

And probably hundreds of emails to catch up on.

At home, and at work.

Thankfully, I have a weekend to deal with the personal stuff.

And let's just not think about the whole going back to work thing!

Thanks for coming along on the journey!!!

See you all back on the other side of the pond!!!

Rome, If You Want To...

Roam around the world...

B-52's anyone?



So, Italy is great. So fabulous. I ran into George Clooney last night.

Just kidding, I didn't.

I don't even know where Lake Como is related to where I am.

Which is ROME.


Today is going to be a LONG DAY.
I have a lot to cram in for 12 hours in one of the most amazing cities in the world.
And a lot of gelato to consume.

My friend Angela went to Rome for a semester.
And all I remember was her telling me how much she LOVED the gelato.
So, gelato it will be.

And the Pope.
Did you know the Vatican City is it's own Country? Yeah, it's kinda like Monaco. A country within a country.
I am guessing that is like our equivalent of Washington, DC? Like, I don't get it. A city, that is really a state?
Yeah, I don't know.

So, I BETTER be tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain - or somebody is gonna get hurt.

I am also supposed to see the Sistine Chapel.
And the Colesseum.
Legit day.
We'll see how smoothly it runs.

Let's see what "A Year Ago Kim" was up to....

TALLINN, ESTONIA!
Yup!

After a nice relaxing day at sea, our ship docked in Tallinn. I'd have to say it was the friendliest port. They had a little open air market right as we walked off the ramps.
The town was only a few short blocks away. And was a-dor-a-ble.

The whole thing was made up of cobblestone streets.
Plenty of warning - WATCH where you walk. These cobblestones are pretty authentic.
And by authentic, I mean bumpy. Unsteady. Rocky. A lot of stones jutting out. I stumbled about 2 or 3 times. I even saw another cruise passenger fall.
Eyes open at all times.

Right in the heart of Tallinn is an old town. Ancient Tallinn. Including nooses hanging off the roof of the buildings. A torture chamber museum. Another open air market built into the stone walls. Women in historical costumes handing out gingerbread almonds.

Biggest Estonian regret? Not buying any of those almonds.
I don't like gingerbread. AT ALL.
But these almonds...I'm still talking about them. A year later.
If you are headed to Tallinn anytime soon, please pick me up a bag. Or twenty.

Mom, Dad and I explored the town. Tried to find a place to eat. Most of the menus offered translations in Swedish, Finnish, Russian, and English. But the food still sounded...interesting.

It was POURING rain. And most of the restaurants only offered outdoor seating.
Kind of a situation.
But eventually we found an adorable pastry shop, with a very friendly lady who helped me pick out some "traditional" Estonian treats.

I also had a Coca-Lite.

Tons of antique shops on every street. Selling both Russian and German military uniforms and wares. Estonia was once occupied by each of those countries.

It was also the first day of school. All of the schoolchildren were wearing their navy blue uniforms, and running through the streets with flower bouquets for their teachers.
Could you get any more quintessential Europe than that?
It was incredible.

We wandered all around Old Tallinn - and eventually back to the ship. I really do wish I had spent more time in Tallinn before reboarding. But, at least I have a ton of memories that I took home with me!

(click for larger)

Where do you think I'll be tomorrow?
Come back and find out!
Lot's of love from the Med-Sea.

Do you feel like you are playing Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
I kinda do...

I'll give you a hint, tomorrow I'm in Texas...

Sorta.

Buongiorno! Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Wherever!!!

Greetings again from halfway across the world.

Today, ITALY!!!!

Hopefully the day involves some vino, cappuccino, and a tower that lean's-o.

Yeah, that was a stretch.
Work with me here. I don't know any Italian.
I've got my high school Spanish to get me through.
And my dad. Who thinks he is Italian.
All his buddies are Italian cyclists.

I'm totally serious.
Growing up they had names like Carlo, Franco, Oreano, and Gian Carlo.
Yep. They are all brothers.
And they bike.
It was like the freaking Giro de Italia whenever we'd go on adventures with dad.
That's like the Tour de France.  But the Italian version.

In fact. Many, many, many moons ago - these buddies of my dad's took him TO Italy.
They rented a villa.
It came with an italian woman who cooked for them every night.
During the day, they'd ride all around the Tuscan Countryside.
On a lot of the paths the Giro guys had ridden on only a few weeks earlier.
Little kids would come out of their homes, and wave flags along the side of the road.
Cyclists are rockstars in Italy.
I think my dad loved his rockstar days.

I just know that he is going to be the happiest clam the next few days as we explore the land of his wannabe ancestors. 

So today, we are traveling through some of the same area.
Supposedly, including a tour of Lucca. Shoutouts to Krissie, Wendy, and Jessica - who's stories of Lucca are some of the best around. They went a decade ago - and are still telling the tales. ;) Right ladies?

Hopefully I come home with a few of my own....that don't require a winky face.

We'll also be checking out that leaning tower. I'm sure I'll be posting the required "holding up the tower" picture when I return...just hold your horses, okay?

So now, you are wondering, where was A Cuppa Kim, A Year Ago?
I was floating along the Baltic Sea.
Waving at Poland.
Lithuania.
and Latvia.

Which meant, LOT's of reading time.
Mentally, I was in Sweden, with The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo.

Here are a few pics from my at sea days...they are all combined into one layout...but you get the idea....

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