The Amalfi Coast

The one trip that I took while in Italy and never got around to posting on here was to the Amalfi Coast! I feel like I have to post pictures because it's one of the most beautiful vacation spots around the country. It's known for amazing citrus fruits, delicious homemade limoncello, and beautiful beach weather during the spring and summer.

I had signed up for the trip not knowing anyone, but since I was going with my school, I ended up knowing just about everyone. That's what you get when your school is tiny! Katie and Nikki were my roomies. I couldn't have asked for more easy-going, fun people to end up travelling with.

We stayed overnight in Sorrento, the coastal town down in the southwest part of the boot. It was a lively town with amazing views. And the food was incredible!

Day one was Vesuvio! The weather ended up being disgusting. It was misting rain and completely foggy. We climbed to the top of Mount Vesuvius, but we couldn't see into the crater or out on to the bay. That made it kind of a bummer, but regardless, I climbed the active volcano!

[this says it all]

Day two was Pompeii and Naples. We first toured the ancient city and then were dropped off for some of the best pizza in the world. This was the SECOND time I got to eat Napolean pizza. I was a seriously happy girl.

[old frescoes in pompeian red]

[typical house]

[water collection pool inside a house]

[underground structures]

["McDonalds" - the old "fast food" type stands]

[amphitheater]

[ceiling of the baths]

[bath houses]

[body found]

[pictures as a "menu" in the brothel]

[brothel bed]

[suspended coffee - a donation left at "gambrinus", a coffee house in naples]

[bay of naples]

Day three was Capri! My cousin, Maddy, had told me it was her favorite part of Italy. I can see why! It's a small island near Sorrento. It's a bit pricey and has designer stores down near the bottom, but we found a little trail to hike down to the water. Then, going up to the top you get the best vantage point out over the water. I wish we would have left ourselves more time after taking the chairlift up from Anacapri because it blew me away how beautiful the view was.

[hiking around]

[pablo neruda wrote about the path we walked]

[my lovely friend Katie near the water]

[restaurant near the water]

[the famous rocks just off the coast]

[arugula & shrimp risotto for lunch]

[the chairlift up from anacapri]

[the view from the top of the island]

Once again, Italy could not fail to impress me. Such wonderful memories and lovely photos I just had to share :)

Island Hopping

I am a very lucky girl as two weeks ago at this time I was returning from GREECE! My spring break 2014 was spent at the Pink Palace in Corfu, touring Athens, and relaxing among the blue domes of Santorini. It was absolutely incredible. We lucked out with nice weather, even though they were all in the process of painting and repairing their restaurants and hotels for their busy season.

top ten reasons i fell in love with "la grecia"

1. the people - When we were walking around, riding ATVs, eating food, or doing anything at all, everyone offered up a smile and a wave! They were so friendly and hospitable. When us crazy girls jumped in the water at the port where Kostos saved Lena (go watch The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants if you didn't get the reference), a family was eating lunch and brought us a plate of cheese and chicken souvlaki and some wine. When we went back to thank them, they passed us raisin bread! I am so jealous of these people who get to spend their lives looking at the views I thought I could only dream of.

2. the food - Yes, I'm currently living in Italy, known for their food, but Greek food was seriously out of this world. I didn't eat a single thing I didn't enjoy. Breakfasts of yogurt and coffee, lunch of a gyro or Greek salad, and several course dinners! After delicious soups, saganaki, and other appetizers, my plate was always filled with meat and vegetables bursting with flavors. And you can't forget about the baklava! Honey, nuts, and pastry dough all layered in flaky sweetness.

[a true gyro]

[wine tasting - they drink a lot of white wine!]

[pork with mushrooms and peppers in a white wine sauce with Greek fries from Mama's House]

[Mama, the crazy old woman who owned "Mama's House"]

[they like their coffee iced]

[yogurt with honey, walnuts, apples, and bananas]

3. the prices - Stuff was SO cheap. I got a bottle of water for 30 cents. My handmade custom fit sandals cost me 28 euro. I ate a sandwich for 1 euro and a gyro for 4. I got in to see the sights for free with my student ID. Too bad Rome isn't that way :( 

4. the parties - Corfu is the home of The Pink Palace, AKA one of Europe's biggest party hostels. They say that what happens at The Pink Palace stays at The Pink Palace. The highlight was the Pink Toga Party! We all tied our pink togas and wore them to dinner. Afterwards, there were drinks, dancing, Greek dancers, and plate smashing! Such a good time.

[gabby, me, jackie, alayna, alyssa]

5. the views - I would describe Santorini as a little bubble of heaven. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, just enjoy these :)

[the town of fira]

[the red sand beach]

[the black sand beach]

[the town of ia]

6. the history - Athens reminded me of Rome in that there are old ruins everywhere with so much to learn about. We had a walking tour which was pretty cool as our guide told us about everything - 

[the arch of hadrian]

 [the temple of zeus]

[panathenaic stadium]

{kallimarmao in Greek, meaning "beautifully marbled"}

[climbing to the acropolis]

[go green!]

[odeon of herodes atticus, the amphitheater]

  

[the parthenon]

 

[the city of athens from the acropolis]

7. the shopping - During our free time in Athens, we explored the flea market and some shops. I stopped in the Melissino's store to get handmade, custom sandals. I am absolutely in love with them! "The Poet" is known for fitting people like the Beatles, Sara Jessica Parker, and other celebrities. Mine were made by a man in the Melissinos family, who learned from his father-in-law, "The Poet". So cool. 

8. the adventures - Both in Corfu and Santorini, I had the chance to rent an ATV! I love four-wheeling at home so I couldn't wait to get out there. It was a lot different than the woods and sand dunes up in the UP but so unique and incredible. In Corfu, it was a tour so we followed our guide up the island. At the top, we stopped and climbed around before heading to get a hot cup of coffee at the bar. It was definitely cold and windy even though we were on the island, but worth every second! 

 And they gave us free ouzo when we return. Score for the Pink Palace.

In Santorini, we were on our own. We rode the path from Fira to Ia so we could explore during the day. The feeling of winding through the hills and overlooking the bright blue sea is one that I can never explain, never repeat, and never forget. It was pure bliss and I was happier than ever as I cruised along at whatever pace I pleased. [I did let Alyssa drive, too :)]

9. the weather - Even though it wasn't forecast-ed to be beautiful, this Michigan girl found the time and the sun to lay out on the beach and tan [ & burn :( ]. I really should have invested in the sunscreen, but the warmth and tan were so worth it! I already am looking forward to spending the summer lounging at my cottage :) 

10. the memories - So many people and places I met and saw will never be forgotten. Such an incredible spring break 2014. Period. 

Did I mention I got to sit on a donkey?

That's just a small glimpse at the amazing week in a beautiful country, but I think it paints a pretty good picture :) Yamas!