Hellooooo, from Corfuuuuuu!!!

Today I am in Corfu.
Another city that I am just winging it.

Soaking up more Greece.

Probably practicing my Greek alphabet.... alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon...

okay that is all I've got.

I am SURE I am desperately missing my puppy today too.

And I think you probably are too...so here is a little Mylie lovin....

Seriously? How cute is she?!?

I wish I had something fun to report on my adventures from a year ago...but all we had was an at sea day...
I was curled up in the lounge, drinking coca-lite, and reading.

Lot's of reading.

Dragon Tattoo #2.

We also made our last leg out of the Baltic Sea.
Which meant passing by Norway.

And under this super famous bridge.
It connects Denmark to Norway. You just drive, and you are in another country. Kinda fun.

I think the entire ship came out to see the bridge crossing.

Norway on the right, Denmark on the left.

Hello Norway!

Going under!

Our last gorgeous, calm night at sea....

 

**Sea Day**

Today is our day to relax. We are at sea. Heading across the Ionian sea to where we will land in Greece, tomorrow.

GREECE! Can you believe it? Part of me can't.
Part of me thinks I'm living in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Source: google.com via Kim on Pinterest

That is as far as my Greek knowledge goes. Hopefully the next three days will change that.

So, I hope you all are having a lovely weekend.
Enjoy your Saturday!!!


(A year ago today, I was exploring Russia for a second day - which I covered in yesterday's post...come back tomorrow for the next stop on the 2010 Adventure)

 

Source: fromeuropewithlove.tumblr.com via Kim on Pinterest

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.

Hola! From Spain!!

Hola Amigos!

Hoy, yo estoy en Espana!
How's that for five years of Spanish!? I'm not even sure if I am using the verbs correctly - but WHATEVS. Most of you probably don't care!

So - get this, I am 30.
I am in Barcelona.
And I am on a bicycle.

(Technically, I am 29 and writing this, a full month in advance...NERDALERT) - but you get the point!

I thought I'd let you know what I'm up to while across the world today!

Also technically, by the time this posts, I have probably already ridden a bike through the streets of Barcie-Pants. (Copycatting that city nickname from Reagan. Because I love it).

So right now, I'm probably off spending way too many Euros (remember, I forget how to convert...and it does not work in my favor), drinking a coffee in a cafe, and about to begin my Med-Sea adventure. Ship leaves TONIGHT.

I can't really tell you how things are going - because, remember, I'm not there yet when I'm writing?  But, let's just pretend things are AWESOME. That the flight was fabulous, accommodations are nothing but luxurious, and the food is delicious. I'm totally not jetlagged, and totally not exhausted.

Hey a girl can dream, right?

Anyway, a little fun for you...ready?
Today, while I'm exploring Barcie, you all can see my adventures from a year ago TODAY.
When I was in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Yep. I know. I really do. I am a lucky girl.

My biggest regret from Denmark? Not renting a bike. Seriously. If you go to Copenhagen. Walk. Or bike. Do NOT go on any bus tours. Including the Ho-Ho's (hop on, hop off).
We started our tour on foot.
Found the castle.
They have a real live queen in Denmark.
Had breakfast along their famous canal.
Ate the most expensive croissant of my life.
They put them on the table, like "hey free bread"
But they are not free.
Lesson learned.
But the Danes bike EVERY WHERE.
There are HUGE bike parking lots.
The cars and buses can hardly get around.
Copenhagen is a 2 wheeled city.

So, like I said, lesson learned, and today I'm biking Barcie with my dad. Hopefully the Spanish feel the same way as the Danes about biking and it was a worthy adventure.

And that I can find some flan.
And a Cafe Ole (yes, I know it's spelled Au Lait) - which sounds french, but was the name of the character on Strawberry Shortcake from Mexi-cocoa. Um, which basically means NOTHING, because I am in Spain.


Enjoy:
(click for larger)

Tomorrow...Monte Carlo!

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Your Best Travel Tips & Tricks!

Hello Loves!

My big girl vacation is just around the corner.
Two weeks tra-la-la-ing through Europe.

It's bratty. I know.

The good news is you will be getting your daily dose of the cuppa while I'm gone! I have an entire series of posts written and scheduled - and I think they are really fun! Hopefully you will too! You won't even get a chance to miss me!

So - here is what I need from you....

Give me your best travel tips and tricks. I am taking a LONG trip on a plane. Across the pond. And I need to sleep.
I will be turning 30 in the sky! How crazy is that?
When I land in Barcelona, I am going to be THIRTY.

It will be my birthday. So I need to be spunky and fresh - not tired, groggy, and jet lagged.
Not cranky from the misery of traveling.

Help a sister out.

Ready for a few of mine: Benadryl, Packing Cubes, Kindle, Water Bottle, and Carry-on Essentials.

1. Benadryl knocks me OUT. Perfect non prescription sleeping pill.

2. Have you ever seen packing cubes? They are AWESOME.

I bought some two years ago when I went to Ireland and they were SUCH a life saver.
I have these and these. In RED.

They all fit in my suitcase. I put tops in one, pants in another, socks and undies in another, cami's get one too. Etc. Until all of my clothes are packed. Not only do they help keep my stuff organized, they kind of compress everything into smaller compartments, and makes more space so I can fit a TON more in my luggage.
Since they all kind of take on a square shape, it all stacks up neatly.

Also, since I'm going to be on a cruise ship, and you have to unpack your suitcase when you are on the ship (did you know this?) - it helps keep things organized within the stateroom.

Seriously. EBags is not paying me to tell you this. I am just telling you because I love them. You are welcome.

3. My travel life changed when I got a Kindle. Again, Amazon is not paying me to say that. I just LOVE it. Vacation to me is time to READ.

One year I went to Hawaii, and brought a giant stack of books. I was MISERABLE lugging those suckers through the airport. I always travel with my Bible, devotional, and then whatever books I plan to read on vacation. Which is typically at least two or three.

Now, I carry my super light Kindle - which means more room for clothes, shoes, and bringing home souvenirs.

4. Now that TSA has regulations on the whole traveling with liquids thing - which by the way, I was in Mississippi when that federal throw down occurred, and on our return flight home, we were all bewildered that we had to throw away ANYTHING liquid - sunscreen, bug spray, lotion, EVERYTHING. Lesson learned. Quickly.

Anyway, now that that regulation is not going anywhere, I always carry an empty water bottle with me. Once you are through security, you can fill it up with ice and a little bit of water - and you are good to go. Then you have your own water bottle with you wherever you are. Definitely beats paying $5 for bottled water. And I need to have water. All the time.

Do not wait to hydrate.

5. What would you do if you traveled all the way across the Atlantic ocean, and when you landed your suitcase had a panic attack and decided to stay behind and all you had was what was in your carry on? Would you be able to travel comfortably for the next several days until you were reunited with your two wheeled buddy? Or if it was gone forever?

I may have lost sleep over this idea last year.

So, I take one of my packing cubes, and include a few extra undies, my favorite outfit (after all, when I land its my birthday, I want to look and feel good!). I also throw in my bag an extra pair of shoes and socks, maybe some PJ's, non-liquid make up, hairbrush, etc. Anything I would be super bummed to not have, at least for a few days. Obviously, you want to include any medications and irreplaceable personal items as well. Just please be sure to not lose your bag in the terminal. Things would get ugly.


Okay - SO - tell me, what are you must haves/must dos for traveling? On the plane? On a boat?
Carry-on, luggage, packing, unpacking, etc.

I want to know it all.

I want your best kept travel secret!