Day 18 - Keep digging, Watson!

I am so excited to go back to the Sherlock Holmes Pub! Located on 10-11 Northumberland Street, Westminster it is the picturesque of cute London pubs.

Let me tell you a little story...Ryan is obsessed with Yorkshire puddings. I don't know if you've ever had one but imagine a hot, buttery, salty biscuit that's hollow in the center and there you have it. My family has to make them on Thanksgiving and Christmas now and he can seriously put away about a dozen! Little does he know that he can get his very own real Yorkshire Puddings here for just about a pound and a half! My family loves the look on his face when he has his hand on his stomach in pain because he ate about 16. Poor guy.

For me, I want to try the Scottish salmon, or the Beryl Coronet. You know what they say about British food so I might have to wash it down with a beer or the sticky toffee pudding with ice cream, sounds good to me though!

Day 19, walk around Trafalgar Square

The last scene in Ugly Betty comes to mind when I think of this popular London place. Don't judge me, that was a great show! Take a look at Nelson's column gaurded by four lion statues, the giant fountain, or the many works of art scattered around; and to the north of the square you'll find the National Gallery.

Trafalgar Square comes from the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 when the British celebrated a Naval victory.

Note: I know my posts have been short and sweet lately, but it's just due to the fact that I am so busy! Work is getting in the way of my day dreaming! My boot camp (Kristin Walton Personal Training) was featured on Groupon and my phone has been ringing off the hook for the last week. Stay with me! I will write more soon.

20 days! When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie....

That's amore!

Can you smell it?

Can you smell the CHEESE?

One thing we both are looking forward to is getting in our fill of real pizza. The kind with a thin not overly doughy crust, small but good quality blobs of cheese, fresh basil, and fresh tomato-y sauce.

Due to my google facination, here are some places we plan on going:
Pizza Zaza Piazza Sant Eustachio, Rome
Monecarlo near the Piazza Navona, Rome
Anywhere in Trastevere
Da Baffeto, 114 Governo del Vecchio, Rome

I have also heard that anywhere near the squares and piazzas are the best place to find good and cheap pizza. I can smell it now!

Day 21 - San Marco's square in Venice, Italy

This is a place we all have known as the place where you are surrounded by pigeons, or at least it is for me. My day there was magic. That is the only word to describe a peaceful, mysterious, and gorgeous place like Venice. The streets are full of water and gondulas instead of cars, and almost any street I turned to, I could hear a violin playing. Magic.

I can't wait to ride the gondula with Ryan!

Day 22, Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia is a gothic church in Barcelona, built bu Gaudis and STILL in constuction over 100 years later. This is Barcelona's top site to see and I'm just so excited to see it! Notice that the front and back are completly different colors. This is due to the plans being lost after the war.

Day 23, my goodness my guinness!

This day is dedicated to the Guinness Factory. Ryan loves beer. Call me crazy but I love the smell of beer on his breath so I can't wait! Plus if you go to the rooftop bar, there is an amazing view!

DAY 24! SACRE COEUR! (that rhymes)

Day 24 is Sacre Coeur located in Montmarte, a hip part of Paris in the 18th arrondissement and is the highest part of the city. The Bascillica was constructed entirely on donations and completed in 1919.

My first time to Paris I didn't have time to visit this area mostly because we only had the day and spent it more towards the Louvre/Notre Dame area. I'm so excited to explore Montmarte when we get there!

25 days to go

ALLO GOVNAH! As part of our 4 day London stay, we're doing a day trip to Warwick castle, Oxford, and the Cotswolds. One of Ryan's requests was the we see Warwick castle, his dad has been raving about it so we wanted to put it on the list. In preparation for Warwick, here are some cool facts:

Warwick is a medival castle built in 1068 by William the Conqueror and is located by the River Avon. It has witnessed many mysteries, murders, and wars such as the Hundred Years War and the English Civil War. It is now the UK's top 10 tourist attraction site along with the Tower of London and the Edinburgh Castle. It has been home to many Kings, Dukes, and Earls; in fact, two of the previous owners of Warwick have had family names such as "Dudley" and "Neville" sounds a little familiar...

(http://www.bestvaluetours.co.uk/oxford-stratford-warwick-castle-tour-at.htm)

With over 60 acres of gardens, collections of art and armor, and creepy dungeons; we're going to have a very full day!

(http://www.adventuresport.co.uk/treasure_hunt/treasure_hunts.html)

Day 26, have a spot of tea!

I am very excited for the tea in London. I've been on a tea high lately and I can' wait for our special high tea at Fortnum and Mason! We have a 6pm reservation for scones, crumpettes, tea, and finger sandwiches! I better get my facinator so Duchess Kate will approve!

(http://www.jupiter-land.com/jupiter/blog/?p=155)

For a less formal tea adventure, here are another great places to get your tea on.

The Tea Rooms located on 155 Stroke Newington Chruch st and is best known for it's gingerbread (yum) carrot cake, and shortbread.

The Vintage Emporium is located on 14 Bacon Street and is one of the best kept secrets in London.

 If you stop by, check out the apple pie, I hear it's to die for!

The Humingbird bakery on 133 Portobello Road (hold the song) is known for it's amazing buttercream or cream cheese frosting cupcakes. One of the best parts is that the cupcakes come in mini sizes which only means you can buy more to taste! This strawberry milkshake cupcake is perfection!

I'm so excited for rainy, cozy London I can't even stand it!

27 days - Tribute to Trastevere

Trastevere is a little neighborhood in Rome, south of Vatician City loaded with pubs and restaurants. The cobbled filled streets are as charming as the Italian culture.

(http://www.abcroomsinrome.com/tag/santa-maria-in-trastevere/)

I have a small list of pubs and attractions I would like to see. For the most part, I'm just excited to sit in the  Santa Maria della Scala and soak up the Romain atmosphere.

(http://www.romanhomes.com/your_roman_vacation/quarters/trastevere-quarter.htm)

If you find yourself in this quaint little place, be sure to stop by and try the Roma Sparita for some pizza! Anywhere you wander, you're almost guaranteed to find an authentic, well cooked meal that will leave you full. It's what people say is the "true Rome."

28 days and counting

I am in LOVE. With maccroons. Small enough to eat one without feeling too bad and they come in enough colors and flavors to satisfy anyone's sweet craving. After endless research for the perfect pastry, I have come across the adorable Laduree.

(http://www.thefoodaisle.com/home/getting-schooled-french-macarons.html)

With flavors like caramel, chocolate, orange, pistachio, and coffee I might just have to buy a few!

 (http://partyresources.blogspot.com/2011/08/laduree-love.html)

(http://www.luxuo.com/gastronomy/laduree-store-new-york-city.html)

This will be one of our first stops on Day 1 while we walk down the Champs Elysees. Another great maccaroon place with flavors like balsamic and pear is called Gerard Mulot.

(http://blackeiffel.blogspot.com/2009/07/favorites-of-paris_28.html)

29 bottles of beer on the wall...

Ok, so today is actually 29 days! YAY! Work seems to drag on as I look at my calendar trying to pass the days! I have to say though, the best part about vacation is right before you leave. The excitement and anticipation is such a great feeling! I keep telling Ryan to enjoy this time because once we get there, it will go by so fast. Today is sunny and warm and makes me think of beer. Beer makes me think of Ireland(well, of Germany but we aren't planning that trip yet!). Today, I give you the Temple Bar in Dublin.

Yes I know this is about as adventurous as going to the Eiffel Tower in Paris but I can't help myself, look how cute it is! I can't wait to curl up with a pint and people watch!

30 day countdown begins!

Since I was running around like crazy yesterday, I wasn't able to post my excitement about hitting the 30 day mark! So from now until the trip, I will be marking each day by a site we are going to see. Today will be Pompeii!

Ryan is VERY excited for Pompeii, and to be honest I never thought much of it. Now it seems like all I hear about is how amazing Pompeii is. Everyone who has been to Italy will say "You HAVE to go to Pompeii!" Our to-see list for Pompeii includes: Ancient ruins, Oplontis and Villa Poppea, House of the Mysteries (Villa dei Misteri), Forum, House of Menander, Fullonica di Stephanus, Great Theater (Teatro Grande), House of the Faun (Casa del Fauno), Temple of Jupiter, and the street of tombs.

(http://www.destination360.com/europe/italy/pompeii)

We're doing this as a day tour, which I recommend if you don't plan on renting a car. This time around I opted for convience, trying to make getting around as easy as possible. There was a choice to to go Naples as well, but it was double the price! Naples will have to wait for our next trip! :)

Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink!

Well, that's not exactly true. Do you know that Rome is covered in spouts providing fresh, clean drinking water? At first glance when I saw someone drinking from one I was horrified but little did I know that this was completly safe!

(picture taken from http://members.cox.net/mkpl3/italvac/ithumb.html)



One of the things I love about Europe is the amazing decoration of architecture and art. Every direction is something new and most of all, every step you take has been a place of history. The squares in Rome are just incredible, lined with cafes and music it's just a wonderful display of culture. Do yourself a favor and when in Rome, look for the fountains!

Piazza del Popolo (The people's square)- Giuseppe Valadier designed this square somewhere between 1811 and 1822. In the center of the square is an Egyptian Obelisk, the fountain you see below is one of four mini fountains surrounding the obelisk.

Fontana dell' Obelisco

(tripadvisor.com)

Via Staderari between Piazza della Rotonda and Piazza Navona- Fontana dei Libri (fountain of the books) is dedicated to the near by Sapienza University and was constructed in 1927.

Fontana dei Libri

(http://www.romasegreta.it/fontana_dei_libri.html)

Piazza Mattei is home to the Fontana delle Tartarughe (Tortoise Fountain) built by Taddeo Landini and Giacomo della Porta in 1658.

Fontana delle Tartarughe

(http://rometour.org/piazza-mattei-and-fontana-delle-tartarughe-tortoise-fountain.html)

Piazza di Spagna (Spanish square) - home to the Fontana della Barcaccia (the leaking boat) located at the foot of the Spanish steps was designed in 1598.

Fontana della Barcaccia

(http://flaviasflavors.com/home/roma-bella)

 Piazza Barberini is home to the Fontana del Tritone designed in 1642 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The fountain portrays Triton, a merman, standing on a large shell held up by four dolphins and holding a conch to his lips.

 Fontana del Tritone

(http://www.romanhomes.com/your_roman_vacation/quarters/trevi-fountain.htm)

Piazza Navona is probably one fo the most popular squares in Rome and one of the oldest. It dates back to 1 AD and used to host the games that the acient Romans would come to watch or "agones". The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi is my favorite, the fountain of the four rivers. This fountain was created in 1651 by Gianlorenzo Bernini who was commissoned by Pope Innocent X. The Danube (Europe), The Ganges (Asia), The Nile (Africa) and the Rio de la Plata (America - a river between Argentina and Uruguay) are all reprosented by a river God for the four continents known at that time. The Ganges (a river in India) is shown to have an oar to show how easy they could access it, the river God also is shown to be near a serpent and palm tree. The Nile has a lion and a covered head, to show the mystery and undiscovered nature of Africa. A boar and a Papal coats of arms depicts the Danube because it is close to Rome, and the Pope. At the time, America was still a place considered to be a new begging and filled with riches so this side of the fountain is covered in coins, which stands to show what America would mean to Europe.

Fontana Dei Quattro

(http://honorsaharchive.blogspot.com/2008/08/piazza-navona-and-fountain-of-four.html)

And to the most famous fountain in Rome: The Fontana di trevi (Trevi fountain) which is the largest Baroque fountain in the city. The legend says that by throwing a coin into the fountain, you will return to Rome. Oceanus, the God of water, is seated at the top with tritons, horses, and vases of water surrounding the whole fountain. This fountain was finally completed in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini after numerous artists started this project.

Fontana di Trevi

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nikon_(171).JPG)

Of course there are many, many more to see in Rome that I would reccomend during a stroll and a bite of crossant. Here are a few more:

Fontana di Nettuno

Fontana di Piazza Farnese  

Fontana del Mosè

We leave in 4 weeks!

I am very excited to say that in 4 weeks from today, we will be on a plane to Paris! I can't decide what I'm most excited for. Ryan keeps asking "So tell me what we're going to do, day one." He's asking of course, because I've had a full itinerary planned now for a few months. No, I'm not a complete control freak. It's mostly due to it being dealthy slow at work and the fact that I always have my head in some far off destination. I have googled endlessly for months for the best crossants, bread, crepes, espresso, etc and now I can say I'm pretty happy I did all of that. To be honest, we will probably stick to about ten percent of everything I have planned mostly because the joy of traveling is making your own foot print and finding your favorite cafe and spot for a picnic but I'm glad I've been able to get to know the cities a little bit better. Here are the major places we are going:
Paris

(Please tell me you've seen "Forget Paris" if not, you must!)

Next we're off to Rome:

Then off for a day in Florence:

After Florence, we leave for our day in Venice:

We bought a cheap flight to Barcelona for a three night stay:

I've never been to Barcelona but I hear it's a very interesting city, I'm excited to explore. I knew I couldn't have a Europe trip without stopping by London!

Originally, I had a day trip to Scotland planned but it just seemed way too expensive so we looked at aerlingus.com and got a 20 dollar flight to Dublin!

The whole trip is 17 days, including Halloween! I am desperate to find something to do in London for Halloween since Ryan feels the way about Halloween the way I do Christmas.  Here is a day to day what we have planned (Ryan, you really should print this out seeing as you ask every day haha)

PARIS

-       DAY 1: arrive at 1pm, check in, walk day 3 of map, eat at L’as du falafel for dinner, walk down to the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame, walk down the Champs Elysees to the Louvre, and then eat crème brulee at Les Philosophes.  

o   Les Philosophes 28, rue Vieille-du-Temple Metro: Hotel de Ville or St.Paul

o   L'As du Fallafel - 34 rue Des Rosiers 75004 Paris Neighborhood: 4ème arr. For dinner

o   Walk down the Champs Elysees and go to Laduree to get maccarrons for later. – 75 Champs Elysees open til 11pm.

o   Place de l’Hôtel de Ville – 4th

-       DAY 2: (see the Opera Bastille, Pantheon, Palais de Luxembourg, Montparnasse) breakfast, Louvre until 1030, bike tour at 11am meet at Eiffel tower. dinner.

o   Creperie Josselin - 67, rue de Montparnasse – eat after day bike tour, go see montparnesse and the sacre coure. Open 12-11pm.

o   Before bike tour:

o   Pascal Barillon (Au Levain d’Antan), 6 rue des Abbesses, GREAT pastery shop/bread.

o   Shakespeare and Company - 37, Rue de la Bûcherie

o   Musee d’orsay is open 9:30-6pm and 8 euro.

-       DAY 3 Walk some of our walking tour maps, night bike tour.

o   Louvre 9-11,

o   opera bastille, pantheon, palais de Luxembourg

o   BAKERY - Miss Manon - 87, Rue St Antoine – go before the louvre to get breakfast, go to yeliz after for lunch then 7pm bike tour.

o   Yeliz – good cheap Turkish food 41, rue de Clignancourt Go to Miss Manon after.

o   Arc de Triumphe is open 10am-1030pm.

-       DAY 4- Versailles come back at 12, lunch, train to rome.

o   Lunch:  Le Grenier a Pain - 38, Rue des Abbesses – GREAT pastry shop

Some other great places to eat that I want to try:

Fauchon (30 Place de la Madeleine, in the Eighth; 33-1-7039-3800

Dalloyau. 101 rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, 8e

Ladurée Royale. 16 rue Royale, 8e

Pierre Herme - 72, Rue Bonaparte

Le Soufflé – 20 euro - 36 rue Mont Thabor

ROME

-       Day 1: arrive at 10 am, walk around and get lunch and an espresso. Night tour at 6:30 pm to see the most famous sites at night.

o   Coffee: Tazza D'Oro Coffee Shop: Via degli Orfani, 84, 00186 Rome

o   Coffee by the coliseum - Collio Oppi

o   Deli -  Volpetti Delicatessen or Market in Campo Defiori

o   Pizza: Pizza Zaza Piazza Sant Eustachio, Rome, Italy

o   Dessert: Sweety Rome: Via Milano 48, 00184 Rome, Italy

-       Day 2: 8:30 AM tour of the Vatican followed by a 1:15 private viewing of the Necropolis. Stop for lunch by the Vatican, spend our last night over pizza and a bottle of Pinot Noir.

o   Deli : Osteria Pistoia Piazza Madonna delle Salette, 13-14, Rome, Italy

-       Day 3: Bus to Pompeii for the day, grab some local pizza and gelato and see the ancient sites! Things to see in Pompeii:

Ancient ruins, Oplontis and Villa Poppea,

House of the Mysteries (Villa dei Misteri), Forum,

House of Menander, Fullonica di Stephanus,

Great Theater (Teatro Grande), House of the Faun (Casa del Fauno),

Temple of Jupiter, street of tombs.

We have to come back to the hotel, pack and leave for Florence early the next morning.

Apparently in Rome there's a little secret that bakeries make fresh baked crossants at 1 am and if you're lucky enough to find one open, it's the best time to buy. Here are a few places I've heard about: Pasticceria Laboratorio Lambiase-Via Cernaia, Trastevere: Unnamed bakery/pastry shop on Vicolo del Cinque, No name pastry workshop on Via Alessandro Volta.

FLORENCE:

-       Lunch: Trattoria Mario: Via Rosina 2r | Corner of Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 50123 Florence, Italy – kinda pricey.

-   After lunch there will be a possible bike tour, or we will just rent a few and get a little lost in the city.

-       Sites to see: Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, Il Duomo - Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio bridge, Galleria degli Uffizi museum, buy tickets ahead of time. Boboli Garden and Pitti Palace look at the garden, across from the bridge.

VENICE:

-       After taking the ferry from our hotel to San Marco’s square, we meet with a small tour just to see the most famous things in Venice followed by a gondola ride. Al Bottegon is a great place for a meal that is light on the wallet.

-       Make sure to see the Palazzo Capello Malipiero, Palazzo Dario, Santa Maria Della Salute, Palazzo Grassi and if you have the time go to the Grand Carta restaurant, even if it’s just for dessert.

-       The best thing about Venice is getting lost in the narrow streets and alleys. There aren’t any cars so the city has a peaceful feel!

(Grand Canal Restaurant)

After just a short day in Venice, we're flying off to Barcelona! I can't wait for authentic tapas!

Barcelona:

-       Walk up and down Passeig de Gràcia - specially around 7pm when everyone is out for a stroll.  Just take in the wonderful architecture and do a bit of window shopping.

-       Day 1: Arrive at 2 pm, walk around and see Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Guell Park and have a picnic, Casa Milla, Passeig de Gracia. Take the rest of the evening to walk around and find a good dinner.

o   Maitea Taberna - Casanova, 157 - tapas

o   La champaneria - Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7 – tapas and beer

o   La Plata - Carrer de la Mercè, 28 – tapas

o   Some great grocery stores to check out are: Granja Viader, Mercat de La Boqueria, or Pastisseria Escriba.

-       Day 2: Walk around the gothic quarter: Barri Gotic is Barcelona's most famous district then at 11:30 meet up with our bike tour. (I purposely schedule all of these walking and biking tours to offset all of the tapas and wine!)

o   Magic Fountains of Monjuic. They run from 9.30pm - 11pm - free!
o   Dessert at: Escribà, Papabubble, La Granja

o   Wander to find some of the most beautiful churches: Sant Pau del Camp and the Santa Maria del Mar.

-       Day 3: walking tour of the Gothic quarter.

o   Rita Rouge for dinner.

(Tapas in Barcelona)



London:

-       Day 1: Arrive on Halloween around 1pm, check in and head to St James Park for a Halloween festival! That night walk around and just enjoy all of the city, it’s so beautiful at night!

o   Have a few drinks at the Ice bar - 31-33 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4BN. Take the tube or oxford circus or picadilly circus

o   Ye Olfe Cheshire Cheese - 145 Fleet Street (pub)

-       Day 2: Day tour of Warwick castle, Oxford, and the Cotswolds. Yes, Oxford was where scenes from Harry Potter was filmed and yes I will try not to act like a total tourist when I see it!

o   Sherlock holmes pub – closes at 11pm - 10-11 Northumberland Street, Westminster, take the tube to embankment

o   The Grenadier - 18 Wilton Row (Pub)

-       Day 3: High tea at Fortnum and Mason, walk around to see Buckingham and Kensington Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London (I have a small obsession with Henry the 8th and Anne Boleyn so I’m really excited!)

o   Windsor Castle Pub - 114 Campden Hill Road

o   Wagamama – cheap chain food place, really good

o   Tamada restaurant. 122 boundary road

(The English Cotswolds)

There you have it! A rough draft of what I hoep to do (and eat) on our trip! With such little information so far, I can't believe this is all I have! I better get back to my google searches!

Dear Florence, you stole my heart. Love, Kristin

Hello 3 people who are actually reading this! Hope every one is enjoying their Friday. Mine will be filled with blueberry tea, work, more work, a little school, and hopefully a date night! I'm sitting here flipping through pictures of Florence and getting lost all over again in this romantic city. What I liked about my trip to Europe for the first time was the fact that I really hadn't done any research on any of the places. Sure I knew Venice had gondulas and Germany had beer but I went in with a completly blank slate of what to expect. Florence is jaw dropping. I remember running down an alley in the rain and saying to Bobbye Jo "I was born to love Paris but made to live in Florence!" I remember how the rain smelt, my red polka dot dress, the taste of esspresso gelato, and the wonder of the city.

Always order tea in France and coffee in Italy!

The fountain of Neptune

Palazzo Vecchio

Florence is littered with copies of Michelangeo's "David" to find the real one, you'll have to go inside the Accademia Gallery. If you don't want to spend the money to get in, at least walk through it to see the statues of Da Vinci and Galileo.

Piazza Michaelangelo as you can see, is covered in sculpture and I highly reccomend a tour guide to explain all of them.

(my favorite: Medusa)

This is Ponte Veccio, one of the 6 bridges that the Nazis did not destroy during World War 2 (August of 1944). This bridge is still in tact today regaurdless of it being 700 years old! On the bridge you can find a lot of jewlery stores and other luxuries.

Touching the boar on the nose will grant you another trip to Florence!

The famous Cathedral. And please, Jersey shore (even though I love you), understand that this is NOT the Vatican. Ugh.

Florence is a wonderful place to invest in leather and silver. If you plan on going here, I highly reccomend saving a little extra spending money. I absolutley fell in love with this ring that I had to part with becasue I didn't plan for it! Maybe it's still waiting for me...