Italia: Bologna, Ravenna, and Venice

Let's just start by saying how much I love the fact that you can buy last-minute tickets for less than $150 dollars for weekend trips to other countries.  How lucky I am to be able to tag along on Nick's work trips every once in a while!

Nick was in Italy for a week, but I flew in for a long weekend to spend some time enjoying one of my favorite countries, Italy!

Les Vacances

Since we've moved here, we keep hearing "all the locals leave in August for vacation", and while we believed this was somewhat true, we weren't quite fully prepared for the mass exodus that has seemingly happened overnight.

Italia: Cinque Terre & Lake Como

And so begins my favorite place of the whole vacation--Cinque Terre!!

Italia: Rome & Amalfi Coast

Thanks to the awesome French holiday schedule, we were able to take our first week-long trip this past week!  I think one of the parents at school this morning put it best, "How lucky are we that we can just travel to these countries as if it's another state?"  And how right she is--kids went to Monaco, Corsica, and Morocco to name a few.  I'm feeling very blessed that we have this wonderful opportunity to visit so many places.  Nick and I flew into Rome, headed to the Amalfi Coast, then to the Cinque Terre, and finally to Lake Como before taking the train back to Paris.  It was a busy 8 days, but so much fun!!  I few things I realized on this trip:

Mine's the bigger one, but
I'm still pretty proud of myself!

~Gelato really is the best ice cream anywhere. period.
~the French just really don't seem to care about checking
train tickets on high speed trains
~Double (and triple) check what train stations all your trains
leave from more than an hour before your train...
~it really is possible to pack everything in a backpack for 8 days!

Belgium: Chocolate, Beer, and More Canals

We boarded the train Wednesday night for Brussels, and thanks to Kim's Raddison points, we were treated to a suite at the Raddison Blu.  After our hotel experience in Amsterdam, we were in heaven!

This is really only 1/3 the size of the room!

Amsterdam: Bikes, Canals, and Flowers

I'm going to attempt to catch up on my recent trips before I leave on the next one tonight (rough life, I know).  So, if something doesn't make sense, it's probably because I'm in a rush! :)

My friend, Kim, and her friend, Shannon, arrived in Paris on a beautiful Saturday.  After bringing us American goodies (Crystal Light, peanut butter, and contact solution--yes, it really costs 13+ euros a bottle here), we were able to explore Paris--including a little picnic!
Since they'd both been to Paris before, we left bright and early Monday morning for Amsterdam on the train.

A Very French (and American) Weekend

Once again, no Monday Minute this week because I was too exhausted from our amazing weekend in Normandy!  We started the weekend by getting our carte sejours and then headed to Normandy to stay in a chateau with some friends.

Easter Weekend in Champagne

This past weekend Nick had a holiday for Easter, so after much debate and other plans falling through, we decided to head to Champagne for a short get-away.  Champagne is only a little over 90 minute drive from Paris, so it was perfect!  We could've taken the train, but we decided we needed an excuse to use the car for the first time.

Skiing the French Alps

No Monday Minute this week, but I promise it's for good reason! :)  We were skiing in the French Alps with Nick's co-workers.  Isn't it beautiful?

MM Neuf

My last week has primarily been filled with travel plans...I know tough life I have!  And I've found that even though I live in France now, much is the same!

Italia Part 2 (Florence & Venice)

After driving through the scenic countryside of Italy, we arrived in Florence.  Unfortunately, I came down with some kind of cold that put me a bit under the weather, but I tried not to let it ruin our sight-seeing!

Buongiorno Italia! (Milan & Verona)

Our first trip to Italy was a success!  Even though it was a little last minute and not fully planned, we had a great time.  It is crazy to think that only a little over a month ago, I had never been to Europe, and one month later I've visited 5 cities!  Feeling very blessed that we have this opportunity for so much traveling!

We started in Milan, made a quick side trip to Verona, then onto Florence, and finally Venice.  Busy but so worth it! :)