Becoming a road warrior over the last decade has prepared me for just about anything. I have learned how to pack only the essentials in a carry on.. and live with whatever I forgot to pack. I've learned that those "wrinkle free" clothes are the best invention known to woman! Nothing... could have prepared me for my 3 week European journey! Not necessarily from a packing stand-point, because I WAY over-packed, but just at how simple life is across the pond. Now, a lot of you have asked me to blog about my trip... so let me forewarn you... this blog is a little long! Don't give out while reading!
You've heard of National Lampoon's? Well, they have nothing on a Clampett traveling abroad. So...after a 3 hour delay in Atlanta (that's reality for you), up and away! First stop... Barcelona, Spain. Did I mention how long the flight was and the fact that it was over the Atlantic? Yikes! Needless to say, I was glad that it was an overnight flight and that those sleep aids... really do help! When I awoke... hello, Barcelona! Our hotel was a lovely little boutique in the heart and soul of the city... on the busiest street... in the middle of all the action... and the noisiest! From the fresh market, to the city tour on a double decker bus, to the marina, to the flamenco dancers who slapped me in the face with their dress and perspired all over me.. there was so much to see and do. Las Ramblas was the heart of the city center and it did not disappoint. I love to people watch... and sitting out in the plaza as I liked to call it while there, having the local drink of choice - sangria - you could find all the people you wanted! Beautiful cathedrals, the olympic village and of course, Spain's Futbol phenomenon! There was only one thing I disliked about being here... they never go to bed! From 9 pm til 6 am (not just one night, but every night)! They were drinking their espressos, wine, sangria... and shouting and having a celebration. I guess they didn't get the memo that there was a jet lagged party from the US trying to sleep in that cozy little boutique hotel!
France and Monaco.. had to be much quieter! Upon arrival, I am not sure what I was expecting, but I was mesmerized. The glitz and glamour, the language of love, the food and wine... the hospitality. I fell in love immediately. A small town Mississippi girl in the South of France... talk about a fish out of water, or was I? Nice, Cannes and Monaco - home to all the beautiful people. And.. honestly, they were beautiful. Sitting at lunch by the Casino in Monte Carlo.. I realized that moments like this are to be cherished because not everyone has the chance to experience it. So, I sipped a little more slowly savoring every flavor of the delicate french wine and I enjoyed the lunch at a much slower pace. As over the top as I was over this portion of the trip... the best was yet to come. The real gem, in my own personal opinion, of the Cote d' Azur is a quaint village, called Eze. The history and beauty... the warmth. Perched on a rock, way above the sea level, the village is located on the ruins of a 12th century castle. Wandering the cobblestone paths while climbing upward to the top are boutiques, restaurants and captivating views. The bougainvillea in full bloom embracing the village all the way down to the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean... it was simply breath-taking. Sitting at the very top... was one of the most beautiful hotels, I've ever seen - Chateau de la Chevre d'Or. There are no words to adequately express the beauty, the serenity... the peacefulness. There was only a connection of me and the French at that particular moment. One that will forever be within my heart.
Now, as you can imagine... I did not want to leave France, but with all good things, they come to an end eventually. Next on the list... Italy! Would I really see the statue of David? Does the tower really lean? How would I feel on the Spanish Steps? Were there really live tigers and lions in the bottom of the Colosseum? Would I be in awe of the Sistine Chapel and feel such a reverence that my life would be forever changed. Is it possible, that I might actually be blessed by the Pope, himself. How would I feel driving down the Amalfi Coast with the wind in my hair? Did a volcano really create Pompeii? With anticipation growing and all these mind boggling questions... we were off and running! Florence, Pisa, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii, Postino... ahh, the Amalfi Coast. My first impression of Italy is that with all of its artistic beauty and history, they need to clean it up. Even though, I felt this way, I was awed by the architecture and the art. I was inspired by the stories told in the paintings and murals. I was drawn to the history. I took the crazy photo holding up the leaning tower and felt like a complete idiot doing it. (My only save was that everyone else was doing it too!) I relived the days of the gladiators and felt connected to the Roman empire in a way that actually had me daydreaming. My biggest disappointment came when I entered the Sistine Chapel. Not from the art... it was magnificent. Michelangelo's masterpiece was truly vivid and alive! We were told ahead of time, no cameras and no talking. What I got when we were actually inside was a crowd of people with no room to move, loud talking, cameras flashing... and for me ... the moment was lost. After walking through St. Peters Basilica, I found myself feeling more at peace. I still hadn't seen or been touched by the Pope... but there's always another day.
Driving the Amalfi Coast, exploring the ruins of Pompeii and finding the quaint village of Postino was one of the true highlights of my whirlwind in Italy. I loved everything about it... and the limoncello is very good! Chilled to perfection and served in small ceramic bottles... YUMMY! Needless to say, after my visit in Italy, I had to buy one of those leather overnight bags to carry all of my treasures!
Greece, by far, was my absolute favorite destination and I will go back again and again. Athens, Santorini... both for me were truly the best days of my whole journey. In Athens, I was overwhelmed by The Acropolis. Standing on that high cliff... looking at The Parthenon (yes, the 8th wonder of the world) there is such a sense... of surrealism and complete awe. I cannot explain any emotion that I felt... other than in that moment, I knew that I had experienced something very special. After having lunch at a lovely Greek restaurant with a view of this historical place... I knew at that moment... I could be Greek. Lunch was in itself, an event. Wine.. glass after glass. From appetizer, to salad, to soup, to entree to dessert... it was spectacular, not to mention, probably one of the best meals I've ever eaten. Lamb slow simmered with grape leaves? Really? Are you kidding?
Santorini... I don't know what I had envisioned... but, what I got was far better. Sitting high on top of a cliff overlooking the deep blue Aegean sea... were a number of villages that made up this unique and wonderful place in the Cyclades. After being told that there were 5 islands and they were made from a volcano (the caldera) and it was active and located... ummmm... right there...in the middle... I was a bit nervous, but... the beauty and warmth of this wonderful place sucked me in. Completely. The white cycladic buildings with blue domes... an artist's dream! Even as I look at my photos now... they don't seem real. Like a painting. Wow!
Now... there's only 3 ways to get to the top... walk, via donkey or cablecar. I will just let you decide on how you think I got up there and down!
We did a wine tasting in Santorini and I was definitely in my element. I loved learning how they grow their grapes, seeing all their varietals and tasting the simplicity and elegance. Truly one of the hidden gems in the wine industry... that will soon be discovered by leaps and bounds.
Once you're to the top... the villages are all unique and different in their own way and its a shopper's paradise. Did I mention that I had to buy... yet another bag?
So... after learning that I could purchase the house next to Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie for only... 200,000 euros... I definitely think, I could be Greek!
Now... Turkey was the other stop... and honestly, it was beautiful, but with all of the events of the world, it was the one location that made me the most nervous... so, instead of venturing out, our group just enjoyed the marketplace, a few carpet purchases and the scenery.
Woe is the weary traveler...life on the road is a wonderful and exciting journey. Memories of places that last a lifetime... and moments when you realize how very lucky you are in this life to experience them at least once.
I definitely would go back... but next time... I will do as the locals... sleep late, have lunch from12 to 4, siesta til 8, dinner from 8 til midnight... siesta again.... and by then... start all over. Oh wait... didn't I do that, this time? My favorite saying the whole trip..... aaaaaarrrrrrivvvaaaderchi!
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