#TBT | Italy - Milan

This week's #ThrowBackThursday is Milan! We stayed in Milan for 3 nights. Our hotel wasn't all that - we found it on Priceline - it was okay. I liked Milan but to be honest it was not my favorite. If I could get a do over I would stay the 3 nights in Venice and take the train for a day trip to Milan. I could spend days in Venice and never get tiered! Milan however was uneventful for me - the only thing I over was the Cathedral and the window shopping.

Regardless - the first thing we did after checking in was head to Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral). The cathedral was majestic! We went inside and even went up on the roof - a must see! The views were incredible from the top. After the cathedral we walked about the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and did some window shopping!

The second day we took a train to Venice and spent the day exploring the city. Venice is just magical. I wish I could have stayed the night and never left Venice. We got lost in the streets, walked the alley ways, ate gelato, and tried on a ton of venetian masks. We went on a gondola ride and our gondolier - Marco - was hilarious. He sang songs, told us stories, and demanded we take a photo of him for the American gals! We also visited the Murano Glass Factory where we purchased a lot of lovely souvenirs.

We booked a day trip from Milan to Lake Como. The bus left Milan early in the morning and arrived near Lake Como, which then we got on a fairy and went to Bellagio. On the ferry we got to view all the fancy Italian homes - including George Clooney's famous Italian Villa - as well as Robert Branson, Sting, and Donatella Versace's villa. We explored Bellagio - ate gelato, shopped for souvenirs, ate lunch, and took in the scenery. Afterward the tour took us back to Milan where we sadly packed our bags and head back home the next day.

Italy was perfect the second time around. My sister and I had our moments - Piazza Michelangelo [sorry B!] - but we had a blast and unforgettable trip. 

I hope to go back to Italy and explore more of this beautiful country!

#TBT | Italy - Florence

This week's #ThrowBackThursday is Florence, Italy. Florence was the second city my sister & I stayed in during our Italy trip in May 2009. We stayed at Hotel Palazzo Ricasoli for 2 nights. This was the same hotel I stayed at when I was in Florence in 2007 on my high school senior trip. I loved the hotel and the location that we just booked the same place - it was walking distance from the Florence Cathedral. 

Once we checked into our hotel we hopped on the train and headed to Pisa to visit the The Leaning Tower of Pisa. As my sister said, "I'm not leaving Italy without going to the Leaning Tower of Pisa!" Pisa is only an hour train ride away from Florence and honestly it is a must. We did it on our own - without a tour or anything - it's very easy. Once we arrived in Pisa we took the bus to the Leaning Tower. We didn't have a chance to go inside the leaning tower however we managed to explore the grounds and take typical tourist pictures!

Day 2 began with walking around Florence and just taking in the beautiful sites. First we went to the Uffizi Gallery, then to Boboli Gardens where we spent the majority of the day. The gardens are gorgeous and it's everything you expect from an Italian Garden.

After the gardens we went to Vivoli for some delicious gelato. Vivoli is known as one of the best gelato places in Florence - in my opinion the best in Italy! The flavors at Vivaoli vary since they pride themselves for serving flavors they have made that day - therefore flavors vary by season.

The last morning we visited the Florence Cathedral - also knows as Duomo. I've done the climb of the Florence dome before - all 463 stairs - and thankfully my sister was up for the early morning climb. The climb is intense because it varies from a spiral staircase, to slanted ceilings, to dark low ceiling rails - if you are claustrophobic I don't recommend the climb. The view from the top of dome is just stunning - you can see The Basilica di Santa Croce. 

Check back next week for the last stop of my Italian trip - Milan! Happy Thursday!

#TBT | Italy - Rome

I have been blessed to travel to Italy twice. My first trip was part of my high school spring break trip which we went to Florence & Rome. The scone time to Italy was with my sister in May 2009. This was the first ever trip my sister and I went on together as "adults." I planned the entire trip and we both had a blast! We spent 10 days in Italy - 3 nights in Rome, 3 nights in Florence, and 3 nights in Milan. Today's #ThrowBackTravel is Rome! 

Once we arrived we checked into our hotel - which was a bed & breakfast walking distance from the Colosseum. Day 1 Itinerary included walking the Roman Forum, visiting the Colosseum, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I should add that we happen to have family in Rome and they spent the day with us and took us to all these lovely local places. It was a lovely first day in Rome!

Day 2 began at The Vatican. We went on Sunday and happened to stumble upon Sunday Mass. My sister went to a Catholic high school therefore she really enjoyed the experience  After mass we climbed the Cupola (Dome) to get the best view of St. Peter's Square. After the Vatican we hopped on the metro and went to the Spanish Steps. We bought some sandwiches from a local deli and had lunch on the steps and participated in people watching. Afterward we headed to Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

For day 3 we booked a day tour to Capri. The tour was a great option since we had a limited amount of time and wanted to see Capri in a day. The bus left from Rome to Naples, then in Naples we got on a ferry to get to Capri. Once we got to Capri we immediately hopped on another boat to go to the Blue Grotto. Being able to visit Blue Grotto is unpredictable because it all depends on the tide, weather, and if it is safe or not. The Blue Grotto was such an experience! It was scary and exhilarating at the same time. I'm glad I didn't think about it and just did it because in retrospect it was highly unsafe since I didn't have a life jacket on and I really can't swim - oops! After the Blue Grotto we spent the day in Capri and explored the island. In the evening we took the ferry back to Naples and took the bus back to Rome.

On the morning of our departure from Rome we went back to The Vatican to visit the Sistine Chapel since we weren't able to do so on Sunday. As my sister said, "I'm not leaving Rome without seeing the Sistine Chapel!" Even though I have seen it before it still took my breath away. I'm a big art history nerd and honestly I spend half an hour just staring at the Sistine Chapel. It's just remarkable. 

After the Sistine Chapel we hopped on a bullet train and headed toward Florence.  

Tune in next week for #ThrowBackTravel to Florence! 

p.s. Make sure to enter the Jamberry Nails Giveaway here. 

Giveaway ends tonight at 11:59 p.m. ET. Winner will be announced on Monday November 10!