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After 12 long years I finally returned to Europe (May 3-27, 2005). So what
perfect or magical words can I possibly use to describe my recent Grand European Adventure.
I'll start by saying that this trip was exciting, adventurous, spiritual and life
changing. My favorite part of this trip was our stay in Italy after our group tour. I adore Italy.
Italians have a genuine passion for life. They don't run through life, like I feel that I tend to do.
Like this very nice Italian gentlemen that we met in Lugano Switzerland, I think that Italians tend to stroll through life.
They know how to enjoy each day and live in the moment!
CLICK ON PICTURE TO GO TO MY TRIP REPORT
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS!
Best Moment: Watching the sunset in Vernazza while sitting
on a bench eating my favorite Gelato (Coco)
Most Embarrassing Moment: Accidentally stepping (both feet
completely emerged) into a lake late at night near our hotel in Fluelen Switzerland. Me and my friend laughed so
hard. We even took a picture of my wet shoe prints on the dry cement steps just so we could remember
this episode. After swearing my friend to secrecy from our tour mates, I sloshed my way back to the hotel where we
each took one shoe to blow dry them so it would be dry for me to use the next day.
Best View: Tie between Cinque Terre Sunsets and the top
of Mt. Titlis (and the Swiss Alps).
Best Activity: Hiking the trails in Cinque Terre, Italy
- 2nd Best: Eating Gelato.
Best Gelato: Vernazza, Italy Best
Flavor: Coco
Saddest Moment: Lighting a Candle and saying a prayer in
the Duomo in Florence. This was the only sad moment of my trip. As I lit my candle, I started to
think about my parents and their unsuccessful battles with cancer. On the verge of tearing up, I
suddenly started to remember more about how they "lived" rather than how they died.
Most Hairy Moment: A tie between lugging our luggage to
our apartment in Vernazza and the drama of making our two train changes traveling from Siena to Vernazza.
Most Interesting Person: A local Italian gentleman taking
a stroll in Lugano Switzerland who stopped to tell us that the best views for our pictures weren't where we were standing
but a few blocks further up the road. When we got there we realized that he was right!
Most Surprising Moment: Renting a SMART car for the day
in Siena and driving the Chianti Loop then bumping into a couple and their son whom we had met briefly at a Metro Station
in Rome a few days earlier. I remembered them so clearly because I overheard them speaking English and looking just
as confused and lost as we were at the Metro station stop. We both immediately recognized each other. What a small
world it is!
Best Meal: A French Restaurant in the Theatre District of London!
Most Fun Memory: At the top of Mt. Titlis, Switzerland and having a snow fight with my tour mates!
- Second Most Fun Memory: Sitting in St. Marco Square and having a cup of cappuccino while
listening to classical music and soaking in the experience of being in Venice, Italy!
Best Historical Monument: Colosseum - Rome, Italy
Best Architectural Building: Duomo = Florence, Italy
Best Visual: Tie between the Swiss Alps and coastline of Cinque Terre.
Best Looking City: Venice, Italy
Best Enjoyed Big City: London, England
Best Stay: Vernazza (Cinque Terre), Italy
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