Stephen's Visit

My BROTHER came to visit! I was so excited that he was coming to get a taste of Europe and more importantly that I got to see him! This has been the longest time I have gone without seeing anyone in my family so it was great to have him around! The second he got off the plane I saw him as an adult. My little brother is no longer a teenager! I couldn't believe how old he looked AND how much he looked like Anthony (my older brother). 

Anyway, he got off the plane, and we headed from the airport, to a quick lunch and a 5 hour train ride to Genea, Italy (also known as Genova). He was exhausted and after we finally found our hotel and got (a delicious) dinner (Italian wine included) it was time for bed. 

Genoa, Italy

When I woke up, I headed out to find us some breakfast before waking him up (I know I am the best sister ever!). After being outside for about 10 minutes, I was sweating from the SUN! It was absolutely amazing. I hadn't felt its warmth in so long and was able to wear SHORTS for the day. The trip was just getting better! 

There are too many pictures of Stephen not smiling and me being ridiculous...hmmm

At port. A self timer picture..you know how I love them!

We explored the city by foot for the rest of the day. Stephen did a little bit of shopping. We found a great restaurant with some salami pasta dish and pesto pasta (both traditional for the region).  We had some more amazing Italian wine and fried dough as an appetizer that was "filled" with "vegetables" but really it was just delicious fried dough!

So we made it to Milan after Genoa. The Duomo in Milan is one of the most famous churches in Europe. Stephen had yet to see a church and seemed confused by the fact that I was so adamant about going to the church in Milan. This may have been one of my favorite moments in Italy. Stephen and I walk up the stairs from the Metro and as he turned to see the church, his face stared in awe at the beautiful church.

It truly was gorgeous and at the recommendation from the same friend we headed to the top of the church. The beauty continued! It is my new favorite church in Europe. I am not sure anything by the Sistine Chapel will surpass this one. When you are in Europe, you see a lot of churches and, well, they get old. They are more of the same. Ornate, gaudy and expensive.  Yet, occasionally I come to a church that I really enjoy and you can't help but admire it. Milan's is one of those! 

View of below from above

After exploring more of Milan and getting disappointed by our lunch meal, we headed off to find gelato. Which made up for it all. It.was.AMAZING. The line out the door was there for a reason! It was absolutely d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.!!!!!  

After another bad meal in Milan we explored more of the city and then headed back to the hotel early to enjoy some Italian TV and a good night of sleep for the first time all weekend. 

After a wonderful four day trip in Italy, we headed to Zurich for the rest of the week.  Stephen got to see where I live, meet the kids, and my friends. It is always fun to show your city to someone! Especially since the sun was shining during his whole trip! 

Our hike in Zurich to the highest place in Zurich

A trip to the Lindt Factory (yummmm)

Yummm

It was insane to see him as an adult and my not-so-little-brother. I was thrilled to have had the chance to show him a little bit of the world and my world! We had some delicious food throughout the whole trip. We were also able to go to the Swiss National Team's tryouts, where Stephen was able to put some of his classes into action!

We both had so many good conversations, laughs, and have I mentioned the food? I have passed him the travel bug and I can't wait until our next trip together!

Cinque Terre

I loved Cinque Terre! I had a rough start with my journey there. I had an unreserved seat on the train which apparently meant you need to get your ticket validated before you get on the train. I didn't know this and ended up paying an extra 5 Euro for my ticket =(

I was also exhausted from traveling already. While my hostel was very nice, clean, and safe, the halls echoed a lot and I spent the night before listening to someone throw up in the bathroom down the hall. So I was a little behind on sleep!

I got to Cinque Terre and arrived at my hostel in Corniglia without problems. They were cleaning so I was only able to lock up my bag and begin my day of hiking! Then I started to hike to the next town and the trail was closed so I had to buy a train ticket to even get there. I was very annoyed since I had already paid for a ticket to be able to hike all the trails.  So far the trip was not going well...

I wandered around the next two towns and began to take pictures. At this point on the trip, I had a million pictures of pretty things, statues, buildings etc. Traveling alone means few silly/fun pictures of you and your family or friends.  I decided that this was going to change! This meant that I was became extremely good friends with the self-timer on my camera! All I can say is that I believe I was very entertaining to all my fellow tourists as they hiked.

I can't put into words how beautiful Cinque Terre is. There is a beautiful smell that engulfs all of the trails. The cliffs, vineyards, villages, and ocean leave nothing left to desire.  It is truly and amazing place. I would completely go back to swim and hike more! There are trails throughout the hills and along the ocean. I did the ones along the ocean but I am sure that the views and hikes from other places are amazing as well!

I played a game with friends once where the photographer would say something and then we would react to the phrase (example: A monkey is chasing you up a banana tree) as they took the picture. It is actually quite entertaining! I high recommend playing the game. Anyway, I had this game in my head as I began my 5th day travels alone. It entertained me immensely!

What most of the villages looked like. Colorful houses with lots of personality!

It looked like the sun was setting all day

And then there is my photo shoot! When I reached Montorosso my entire day turned around. I was standing in the ocean and everything was perfect! Then my beach photo shoot began! 

Didn't get far enough from the camera in this shot!

My first attempt at a jumping picture! I was pretty impressed with myself. 

Fortunately for everyone walking by I didn't stop trying!

I am literally running back and forth from my camera every 10 seconds. 

Perfection!

We ended with another great one!

It was then time to conquer the rock!

View from the top

 The color all ocean water should be! So pretty!!

Then I started to hike again. 

See the beach in the distance? That is where I was! Sooo many stairs were climbed!

Getting a bit hot!

Then it started to rain. And I mean pour. I slowly put my layers back on..Finally reaching the next town. 

If you look at these pictures closely you can see that I am, in fact, drenched. My sweatshirt weighed a ton! 

Rain!

Got back to my hostel and took a warm shower. I met another girl from Australia in my Hostel. We ate dinner together and shared some great conversation. We met a Corniglia (the village I was staying in) native and talked to him for the rest of the night. It seemed that most people in the area made their own wine and had a love/hate relationship with the tourist season.  It was the perfect ending to my solo Italy trip! 

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