This is where I use my blog to record some lists of things that Michael and I don't want to forget about our holiday. It seemed like a natural place to put them.
Top culinary experiences:
- Cappuccinos and croissants (fresh from the oven) in Porlezza
- Gelati in Italy, but especially the fondente and meringa gelati in Bellagio
- Meat plate with Holly and Corrado in Menaggio (see photo in previous post)
- Cheese plate and carpaccio at Open Bar in Florence (see photo in previous post)
- Pizza from Bella 'Mbriana in Lucca
- Fig granita from Il Pirate Cafe in Vernazza (see photo in previous post)
- Falafel from Mi-va-mi in Paris (with egg plant!) (thanks Sarah M)
Top revelations:
- Jet lag sucks
- Hipsters are global
- We like the beach
- The mayor of Paris is awesome
- We are fond of Italian dining rituals
- Michael looks Irish
- Public displays of affection are very common in Italy
- European women are that sophisticated
- The Eiffel Tower is cool
Top overall moments:
- Playing board games in Portrush
- Ringing the bell in Porlezza
- Discovering Siena
- Seeing David in Florence
- Biking in Lucca
- Getting to and swimming at the nude beach near Corniglia
- Lounging at the Alassio beach
- Exploring the Marais
- Riding a Segway
Things that worked out:
- Booking.com (all of our hotels were amazing)
- Rick Steves (we used this guide book in Italy, and I LOVED it)
- Back packs instead of rolling suit cases
- GPS for driving in Northern Ireland
- Small camera (easy to carry in your pocket)
- Easy reading (I chose The Golden Compass and Watership Down)
- Audio books on my iPod
- Putting thought into wardrobe (we weren't fashionable Europeans, but we were prepared for rain and sun)
- Cydwoq shoes (my feet were happy!)
- Booking museums in advance (we snubbed the lines in Florence and Paris)
- Learning about some history before the trip (Michael taught me about the Renaissance)
- Securing Jen as a house sitter (we didn't get evicted when our rent cheque bounced)
Things we would do differently next time:
- Bring a big memory card for the camera (instead of a second camera)
- Throw some modern art into the mix
- Bring a hand-held Internet device
- Stay for a minimum of three nights in each destination
- Fly with an established airline
- Eat before famished
- Sort out bank accounts before travel
3 comments:
It sounds like you had an amazing time. And you've pretty much convinced me to add Italy to my "to visit" list---mainly with the pictures of the food.
"Eat before famished." Wow. Thinking back, that has always been an accurate measure of my trip satisfaction. Also: no wet feet. Sounds like you had that covered. Thanks for the food list especially-- I might put that to use!
michael does look irish.
i discovered the glory of GPS while i was driving in scotland this summer. fun!
what a grand trip you had.
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