New York, New York!

New York!!!

Back in America! We were SO happy to be in our homeland! New York was still very foreign to us west coasters! Taking the air-train to the subway and the subway into the city we explored the monstrous city of NY, NY!!! Our "self-guided" tour started by going on the free ferry to Stanten Island, through the financial district, ground zero, Broadway, Time Square and Central Park!

IRELAND

Dublin, Ireland

Getting from the airport into Dublin was the usual bus ride into the city center followed by a walk to the hostel. Our stay in Ireland consisted of taking a walking tour around the city, train ride to a nearby coastal town and a full day journey out west! The best part of the trip was by far our trip out to the West Coast! From Dublin we took a bus to Galway (4 1/2 hours) then another 1 hr 45 minute bus ride to the cliffs of Mohar! After spending 2 hours exploring the cliffs we got back on the bus and made our way all the way back to our hostel in Dublin!

PARIS!

Paris!

Our flight into Paris was not really into the city Paris but a good 1 hour train ride into the city. Since our flight got in late we stayed at a local hotel and in the morning we began our journey into Paris. After looking at several maps we decided on our route to get to the train station...no more taxis! We walked to the bus station and stared at the schedule for a long while in order to make sense of how to get to the train station. Once we had found out the time we were to catch the bus we ran into the grocery store near by. We almost missed the bus! Got on paid the fare and tried to ask the French speaking bus driver which stop to get off at for the train....no communication occurred. Thankfully a kind soul heard us talking with the driver and in broke english he said "you need train?" Come with me" He literally took us off the bus! He walked us all the way to the train station. From there we managed pretty well. Took the train into the city center of Paris, the metro close to our hostel and then walked to our hostel with few problems getting there.










We spent the day looking for my relative's, Victor Hugo, home...only to discover that Victor Hugo did not live in Victor Hugo Place but clear across town....the Victor Hugo Place was a square dedicated to him...not where he lived! Opps! We then walked along the river, saw the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, etc.! Lots of beautiful festive lights for Christmas time!

The next morning we got a hold of our friend George from Tahiti (who happened to also be in Paris for Christmas!) and he took us out sightseeing. We saw Notre Dame and toured Victor Hugo's real home! It was pretty cool to see! There was also a "Hugo Cafe" on the corner! That night we relaxed and then went out to a delicious dinner!

Christmas eve we spent touring the Louvre. It is huge! Amazing! It took most of the day. yes we saw the Mona Lisa and I was actually very impressed with the size (so many people say it is small). We could easily have taken days or weeks to explore the Louvre! After our Louvre adventures we met back up with George and his Mom, Marjorie. She cooked us a spectacular meal for Christmas Eve!

On Christmas Day we met with George and headed to the top of the Eiffel Tower! Only after waiting an hour in the longest line possible in freezing cold weather! The view was pretty cool. You can see over all of Paris! Due to the cod weather we spend the rest of the day in George's apartment relaxing.

Our flight to Dublin, Ireland was early the next day so we turned in early to pack and get some shut eye.

ITALY

Italy

Arriving in Rome we took the bus, train and then walked to find our hostel. Out of all the places we have stayed this was by far the sketchiest!!! So we set out on our sightseeing trying to se as much as possible in the short time we were there! Since it was late in the afternoon we just decided to wander. Gelato was at the top of or list to get, of course! As we walked along we encountered the Colosseum lit up at night!!!







It is gorgeous!! We had pizza for dinner right next to the Colosseum ! Trying to find our way back to our hostel was a bit tricky but we eventually found it! The next day we joined a girl from Australia, who was also in our room at the hostel, to go to the Vatican to see the Pope give his speech as he does each Wednesday at 10:30 am. This was an amazing opportunity!





We got to see the Pope give a speech live in front of us! He even spoke in English to address the English speaking to wish us a Merry Christmas!! The Vatican is amazing!!! I cannot try to even describe it!! We also went to the Sistine Chapel which words can also not describe! Truly an amazing opportunity! Next we toured the Colosseum and the ruins next to it! The whole day was mind blowing! Our feet killed!!!! I wore boots which was dumb!








Then we were off on the train to Florence!

Florence was very welcoming compared to Rome, it has a much cleaner, safer feeling, and pretty city. The hostel in Florence was great! Free internet, very clean, free breakfast and HOT showers!!! We wandered the city and took in the beautiful landscape. Dinner was of course pizza..what else! We have eaten pizza each night plus lunch sometimes each day we have been in Italy!! Which is not normal for us but the pizza here is better than any we have had in the US!






The next day we caught a train to Venice! Once we arrived in Venice we immediately fell in love with the unique city. The water bus took us to the stop closest to our hotel and we weaved the narrow streets to find it. We spent the rest of the evening wandering around the beautifuly Christmas lit city. We even encounterd a free Christmas Carol concert in a quaint city square! It was absolutely perfect...in Venice with the love of my life, listening to lovely Christmas Carols, under the twinkling Christmas lights...top on my list of favorite memories! After the carols ended we got free hourdeurves and wine! We walked around admiring the markets and shops, we even bought some amazing cheese after tasting each type! After we worked enough of an appetite we got dinner at an adorable italian restaurant...course pizza again and it was fabulous!!!







We had one full day to see all venice had to offer. After taking advantage of the free breakfast, which we would turn into lunch as well, we headed off walking a little after 9 am. We walked around the entire island. Hitting all the major tourist spots, but also dodging into every authentic alley possible to try to get a taste of the local life. It was in those back alleys where the true character of venice hid. Leaning walls, brick covered in stucco while exposing itself were the stucco had fallen, clothes hanging across the streets to dry, old couple out for a stroll...It was the most unique experience of all our travels. We would walk without ceasing from 9 until five in evening; exploring all that venice had to offer. After a quick nap at the hotel, we were off for our evening walk and a dinner in Margarita square. As we awoke the next morning we quickly pack both our bags and our stomachs with the free breakfast. We were then off to explore one last corner of the island. After a bit of shopping,we sat along the main river to soak in a truly magnificent city. At 4 p.m., we caught an early bus to the airport(our hotel receptionist had given us a schedule. Upon arrival we learned that we were directed to the wrong airport!!! Monica panicked... I wanted to catch the bus because we had an hour to spare. However, there were no direct lines to the other airport. The bus to the metro would take an two hours alone. We were forced to pay $100 for a taxi. The only good news was that the taxi was a brand new mercedes benz. It turned out it was 5 euro cheaper than the beat up taxis. The extra expenses definitely put a damper on the amazing day....but all in all venice will hold a very special place in our memory as a highlight to an amazing journey.