Follow the Yellow Signed Trail
Prior to this trip a visit to Switzerland was right at the top of our travel priority list. In recent years I had become fascinated with the thought of hiking parts of the Swiss Alps and finally seeing firsthand the country’s renowned and pristine fairytale landscape (I even went as far as getting our very own MySwitzerland.com brochures sent to our apartment). We split our time among the mountains, quaint villages and larger cities throughout our 2 1/2 weeks. Each city and small town had a lot of character, but it was up in the highlands where I found the most beautiful Switzerland.
Read MoreLake Como: La Bella Vita
Even though I had never traveled to Lake Como, I (for some reason) thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect: nice scenery, luxury villas, ritzy towns, and George Clooney. While I didn’t see George (enormous yet unsurprising disappointment), I was excited to see that the area’s beauty far surpassed my expectations and it was much more affordable and approachable than I had anticipated! Lake Como was jam packed with quaint towns and postcard pretty views.
Read MoreParty in Portofino
This post should be titled “Thank you Ali and Zach for getting married in Italy.” Yes, due to the union of two of my good friends, I was able to trade my dri-fit t-shirts and shared-bathroom guesthouses for cocktail dresses and 5-star accommodations. I felt like I was on a luxury vacation within my year of long term travel. It….was…..AWESOME!
Read MorePitstop in Piedmont
I LOVE ITALY. Simple as that. The people, the culture, the landscape, and, of course, the food. Maybe it’s because I grew up with a strong Italian family influence. Or maybe it’s because one of our most memorable vacations was a trip to Rome, Siena, Florence and Cinque Terre in 2010. Italy and everything Italian affects me. So I shouldn’t be surprised that a detour to Northern Italy’s wine region did the same.
Read MoreRomancing Romania
If you would have told me years ago that I would be celebrating my 30th birthday in Romania, I would have never believed it. A pre-booked flight from Bucharest to Milan (we needed to be in Portofino for our friends’ wedding) led us into Romania after our time in Ukraine. After getting delayed by a day or two crossing the border, we were only left with four days so our time in the country was limited. We ultimately chose to spend our time in Brasov to get the most out of a speedy Romanian experience. The old medieval city made for a great place to get a taste of Romanian culture and an unforgettable 30th.
Read MoreTrue Life: Ukraine
Deep in the heart of Ukraine set among the sprawling Carpathian Mountains lies the small village of Kosmach. A place of complete serenity and traditional life. A place where families live off their own land. A place where you can smell nature and hear church bells ring in the distance. We visited Kosmach to see and understand Ukraine away from its big, touristed cities. We lived on a local farm with a family of nine, helped with daily duties, and explored the wonderful Carpathian Mountain range. This was the ultimate Ukraine experience.
Read MoreGiving Back
A huge part of our journey is about giving back. While the personal travel is sure to dazzle, we are confident that it will be the volunteer experiences that will show us the most about the world and touch our souls. Read more...