Monday, May 9, 2011

Taking Europe by Storm!

Okay so I know I have been home for a week and a few days however, I have been working on school stuff and sleeping. :) Now for a recap of my Easter Holiday trip! Let us start in the bonny land of four leaf clovers and Guinness, IRELAND!

Ireland:
Emma and I started our adventure in an early morning cab ride to the bus stop and than many many miles, one boat ride and we were no longer in the U.K. We made it to the small town right outside of Dublin.  April 11 we went to Glendalough, to see the ruins of an old Cathedral, and some amazing views!
April 12  Dublin
The sun was shinning and we were ready to take our open bus tour and taking the greatest look at the city. The Book of Kells, Temple Bar street, and the Guinness storehouse all so much fun and with the weather sunny and great it was an amazing day.


Between the Celtic dancing and Making your own Guinness bread the hotel was great, shopping was fun and Ireland was a blast.



April 16 The French Alps
Lyon France- I met Erica and Alexane at the airport and we spent the rest of the day exploring Lyon. The second largest city in France and very nice and expensive! We drove that night to Alexane small village in the French Alps. Yes right out of the sound of music. Each day we went to a different small village or city to see all that the amazing Alps have to offer.

April 17 Chamonix- kinda like Park City but more expensive. It is here that has the tallest mountain in all of Europe and snow in April.
The next few days we traveled around to the differnet villages, eating crepes, drinking wine, and eating really good cheese.

April 20 Geneva, Switzerland- Good chocolate and people that like their order and rules. There is a fountain in the lake that is there that shoots so far into the air you can see in miles away from Alexane's house. The day is hot and stretching out at the water was relaxing, now if only the older Swiss would keep their clothes on while bathing.

The time in the Alps was like a step into all the calanders and postcards of beautiful Europe. My favorite place is in a town Annecy, with the most amazing old city all set around these canals that run through the city. Walking around the city was great, but me and Erica wanted to get out on the water. Using our terrible French we rented a paddle boat and paddled part of the lake there and got some of the more amazing views of the mountains and the city. By far my most favorite.




April 21 Barcelona, Spain- A whirl wind of people, Amazing Architecture, and sweet sangria. We soent the first day running from monument to monument. The Gaudi houses will all their waves and colors, the Sagrada Famila the cathedral that has taken 300 years to build and it is still unfinished, some Palaces, the Magic fountain that has a show at night, and back to the hostel for showers and sleep.

April 22 Still in Barcelona we had a bit of rain while walking around the city, which by the way they stay out late and nothing opens till after 11 so only tourists were out wondering around. We did make it to the Picasso museum and than by accident found our way to the Park where Gaudi's work is on display in lots of color. This was my favorite thing in Barcelona. All the beautiful Architecture and tile work.


April 23 Berlin, Germany- the city was least excited about quickly became of my favorites. Getting into the city and finding our hostel took some time, so our first night in the city we were out just looking around and ran into a farmers market were the shopping machine in me took over. It was amazing and fun to see the different things for sell and with a back drop of huge museums with architecture pre world wars. The following day we set out for our walking tour. Now in respects of Easter I was sad that I was not able to go to church being in Berlin and having it not be a religious city, to the people of Berlin it looked to be just another day, with a few celebrations here and there.

Free walking tours in Europe, if I could recommend anything it would be to take the one in Berlin, there is no way I would have learned that much on my own. Walking by the Berlin wall, Holocaust memorial, checkpoint Charley, Hitlers Bunker (or the dirt parking lot that it now is).  All the history everything just surrounding me I just loved it all.



April 25 London, England- Take one. Now this is my first time in the amazing city and of course I had a cold a miserable cold that made me ill. Now since I am going back to London in a few days so I am not going to talk about it here, other than it was good other than the tissue box I had carry around.

April 26 Paris, France- Finally!!! After a missed flight, several hours at the airport, and one book later, I made it! Meeting Maria, Gabe, and Tyler was just so exciting. Starting at the St. Michael's Church to start our walking tour with our weird and not very helpful guide, bless his heart. But we did make it to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for the best view of the city. Now most people want to go up the Eiffle Tower but if you go up ot you can't see it and from the Arc you get a fantastic view. So much fun, we did make our way over to the Eiffle tower to see it and it is huge, and metal, what I expected but still so "I can't believe I am here" moments.

April 28 Still in Paris, we ate expensive macaroons (very fancy and sweet), and than headed over to Notre Dom. The Cathedral saved from demolition by Quasimodo and the popularity of the The Hunchback of Notre Dom. It very beautiful and amazing the inside and out. From there we went to the Louve were yes we saw the Mona Lisa (behind a think glass barrier and a huge crowd) and surprisingly all the traveling and running around caught up to all of us and we decided that falling asleep at the Louve wasn't so smart so back to the hostel. Once it got dark we headed out to the Eiffel Tower which I heard was amazing at night, and boy was I right. Favorite moment of all my trips was standing there looking up at the twinkling Eiffel Tower. I felt so blessed to be able to travel and see the world and of course all good things twinkle and I was just happy.


Two Days travel back to Hull we made it and are now getting ready for exams (so yes I do attend school) and two more trips before heading home. So there is a recap I hope you all have enjoyed, I sure have!