• florence
    Italy

    Should You Visit Florence, Italy?

    I spent two weeks in Florence, Italy (Firenze!) while studying abroad. I stayed with a host family where the father was a chef! Neither of the parents had great English so communication was rather difficult. We kept to key words that we knew in the other language! They had a cute little apartment that was on the outskirts of the city. They still had their 30 year old son with them who was unwed so I guess that’s totally normal! Not quite the same as America! Wanderings Florence was my first experience in Italy and it was a great way to start my trip. I absolutely loved exploring this city!…

  • venice
    Italy

    Venice Italy: Bucket List Gondola Ride

    Oh Venice. Venice is on everyone’s bucket list for the romantic gondola rides and the city built by canals. I did a day trip to Venice and found the town to be quaint and cute but over crowded. Of course any day in Italy is a dream come true, but I would like to provide my honest opinion on my travels so you can prioritize and plan an itinerary of your own! Maybe it was just the peak of summer season and because I didn’t spend the night, but I wasn’t impressed by Venice. It was very beautiful but it didn’t live up to the hype I had built up…

  • cinque terre
    Italy

    Sun, Sea, and Italy: Cinque Terre, Italy, the Hidden Gem

    Cinque Terre, the hidden gem of Italy. Well maybe not so hidden anymore! Cinque Terre is a huge tourist destination in Italy. Easily accessible by train from Florence, it is made up of five (cinque) towns that were painted bright colors so fisherman could return home safe and sound. I took a tour group to Cinque Terre but it easily reachable on your own as well. Take the train to the towns and get off and explore! Take a hike in between towns to see some gorgeous views. See the brightly colored houses cliffside next to sparkling blue water. One word of note, bring tennis shoes! I saw a lot…

  • maui hawaii
    Hawaii

    What to do in Maui, Hawaii

    Before I had a lot of traveling under my belt, Hawaii was #1 on my bucket list. Naturally, I convinced my parents to go when I was 18. Being on the west coast it is a pretty short flight. Hawaii as you can imagine did not disappoint! If you want luxury combined with adventure and relaxation, Hawaii is the place for you! There is so much more to do than just lay on the beach all week. We picked Maui because it wasn’t as crowded as Honolulu but it still had a lot to do and that Hawaii charm. Activities Horseback Riding I did a horseback riding tour with my…