Bahamas

I am pretty sure many people have been to the Bahamas before, especially Atlantis. Many people may also remember it from the Mary-Kate and Ashley movie Holiday in the Sun. This is a very large resort that has expanded a lot over the past 10 years. There is now an Atlantis Resort in Dubai on Palm Island.

http://www.atlantis.com/newsplash/graphics/atlantis-bahamas.jpg

http://www.atlantisbahamas.com/media/Home/Tab%20Presenter/Aquaventure.jpg

Atlantis has the famous Leap of Faith, which is a 60-ft almost vertical drop from the top into a shark tank. If this is not for you, then there are many other options for you to choose from.

http://www.takingthekids.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Snuba-in-Puerto-Rico.jpg

I would highly recommend snorkeling, scuba diving or snuba because the water is so clear it allows you to see the beauty of the ocean much better. You those of you who don’t know, snuba is when you are attached to a raft that holds the scuba tanks on it while you have a mouth piece with a long rope, allowing you to explore the ocean.

http://www.houseoftravel.net/wp-content/uploads/Atlantis_Aerial_The-Cove_The-Reef1.jpg

Austin, TX

My parents currently live in Austin, TX that is a really cool town. It is the most un-Texas like place in Texas; oddly enough it is also the Capital of Texas. The city of Austin was the fastest growing city in America for many years until this year when Houston took the number one position. Unlike the rest of Texas, Austin is very hilly, and filled with greenery. Even though Austin has greenery, wildfires are still an issue (which I have experienced and are terrifying and cool looking at the same time). There are also scorpions and poisons snakes, like rattlesnakes and copperhead, in Austin. These can be a concern but having encountered a rattlesnake, you just have to be careful and move slowly.

 One of the many things Austin is known for is South by Southwest (SXSW). It is an interactive festival that happens in the spring. The festival includes everything you could imagine, from a film festival to music festival. It brings in over 150,000 people to the city of Austin. In 2014 the economic impact was over $300 million. The best part about this festival is that it has something for very age range.

While in Austin you should defiantly take a Segway tour of the city. My favorite company is SegCity. They take you around the city and show you the highlights in about an hour and a half.

http://www.segcity.com/austin/

Austin has a river that runs through downtown called Lady Bird Lake, but it is actually the Colorado River. Here you and take boats out, kayak, canoe, paddleboard and more. Austin is a city all about being outside and active. Lance Armstrong’s Live Strong Organization is located in Austin. There is also Lake Travis, which is out by where I live but still in the city limits. Austin has been in a drought for many years and Lake Travis has suffered, the water is down 60 ft from where it used to be. The lake is hundreds of feet deep so its not an issue but it sill causes the home owners and boaters issues.

Austin has become like the new technology hub, Dell’s headquarters is here; as well as many different game design and creation companies. Many people do not know this but Whole Foods started in Austin and their flagship store and their headquarters is still located in the same place as it was when it opened.

Mexico

I have been to Mexico a few times and each time I have been to the Riviera Maya, which is about 45 minutes to an hour from Cancun. I think that this area of Mexico is absolutely gorgeous. The Riviera Maya is more calm and relaxing than Cancun can be. Mexico has a bad reputation for not always being safe, but if your smart then it is perfectly fine.

While in Mexico we stay at the Iberostar Paraíso Lindo, but there are seven different Iberostar resorts to stay at. Some are only 18 and over but the rest are family friendly. The resort was really nice and offers a lot to do. It is an all-inclusive resort, which is also good. The resort has two nightclubs, multiple pools including a lazy river. I would recommend booking reservations at the restaurants before going because it books up quickly.

We went an a few excursions while in Mexico. I went alone with two of my friends to go scuba diving, no need to be certified they give you a little class. When doing excursions from the hotel they are perfectly safe so you can let teens go off on there own.   We also went to Tulum, which is an ancient Mayan civilization. This was beyond the coolest thing I saw while in Mexico, it is unbelievable that these pyramids were built without modern technology.

France

Paris is known as the city of light, which is very true if you have ever seen Paris at night. The Eiffel Tower is truly an amazing structure. When you plan to go see the Eiffel Tower, know that the elevator line tends to be hours long. It is much easier to climb the first level and get onto an elevator there. This takes a lot less time than waiting for the elevator from the bottom.

The Louvre Palace is worth a visit, even for people who do not like art. There are so many famous pieces of work that are exhibited in the Louvre. One of the most famous pieces is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

The Palace of Versailles is my favorite place in Paris. I think that it is beyond gorgeous.The tours of the palace tend to be long because of the size of it, so make sure to allot enough time for it. The gardens are also worth exploring it is truly beautiful.

Another common sight in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe, which can be seen as you are driving. In my opinion it is not worth going to see it other than driving by it.

The famous Love Lock Bridge is a common place for couples to go. You write on the lock and attach it too the bridge and throw the key in the water. This is a really cute place to visit I highly recommend it.  Paris has so much to offer for all different types of people, which is one of the things that makes it so great.

http://p3.img.cctvpic.com/photoworkspace/contentimg/2014/06/10/2014061023093046941.jpg http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/04/12/article-2128738-1290EC54000005DC-842_634x422.jpg https://www.holidayrentalsbooking.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Chateau-de-versailles.jpg http://www.placesinparis.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/arc_de_triomphe.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Eiffel_tower_from_trocadero.jpg

Germany

  I was born in the town of Bonn, Germany while my parents lived in Europe. The country has a lot of history behind it, some not so well but it is a really beautiful country.

In Berlin you can see the Brandenburg Gate, which used to divide the city but today it is a popular tourist attraction. You can also take tours that will take you back to the times around the fall of the Berlin wall.

One of my favorite things about Germany is that there are so many castles all over the place. Quite a few of them have been turned into hotels, which is a really interesting way to learn more about Germany. One famous castle the Neuschwanstein Castle, in Fussen inspired Disney to paint all their castles in this way.

Munich is a great place to take bike tours, for those who like to bike. For car enthusiasts there is a BMW Museum, which contains cars from when the company first started. There is also the Nymphenburg Palace, which is open to the public to take tours. It is also worthwhile to stop at St. Peter’s Church, which is gorgeous on the inside.

http://www.bavaria.by/data/mediadb/cms_pictures/%7B7b161412-4827-5fb4-8720-2392be8c5d4e%7D.jpeg

Greece

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/da/9b/04/acropolis-up-close.jpg

Greece is a beautiful country that has a lot to offer. In Athens there is the rich history that you can explore. I have explored Athens and there is so much to see. You have to see the Acropolis; it is truly unbelievable to think that those buildings have been since the 5^th Century. Athens also offers other historical attractions but is mostly a touristy location so make sure to explore other places in Greece too.

On one trip to Greece we spent most of our time in the town of Nafplio. It is a seaport town, near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town has been inhabited since ancient times, but not many ruins are left. The castle of Bourtzi, which is shown above, was once used to protect the city from pirates and invaders but now holds their summer music festival. The town does offer many great hotels but the best way to truly immerse you in this town is to live in a house. It is a really great experience to get to not be in the really touristy areas.

Nafplio has many beaches sand and rock, a disclaimer- rock beaches become incredibly hot in the summer and are hard to walk on. It is a must to go scuba diving or snorkeling. The water is incredibly beautiful and allows for you to see a lot of sea creatures. One thing that was amazing was the amount of sea urchins that lined the sea floor. Please do not remove any alive sea creatures from the ocean.

https://inviato.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/mykonos-santorini.jpg http://cache.graphicslib.viator.com/graphicslib/thumbs674x446/3016/SITours/4-day-mykonos-excursion-in-athens-117733.jpg

The island of Mykonos is truly gorgeous. It is hard to find words that describe the true beauty that this island offers. This is an island where swimming and diving is a must. The pure serene feeling you get while there is unlike anything else. This is a place where you relax and enjoy where you are.

The island of Santorini is another must see while in Greece. This island lies in the Aegean Sea, 120 miles southeast of the mainland. Santorini is known for its white houses with blue roofs. This island is also the home to the largest volcanic eruption ever recorded. Like everywhere in Greece there is always history to be discovered and learned about.

Costa Rica

When I went to Costa Rica, I got to see the part that many tourists do not. I stayed with a local family in the town of Turrialba. Turrialba, is not near the ocean, it is located in the mountains, which allows for abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery.

One of the best things I experienced there was whitewater rafting. There are many rivers there and some are the best in the world. Even if you are a beginner you have to try it, it is like a rollercoaster on water. The Pacuare River is surrounded by forest, which are home to amazing animals like the jaguars, ocelots and monkeys. It has also been said to one of 5 nicest rivers to raft on because of the difficulty and the scenery. My group used Tico’s River Adventures and they were a really great company to use. http://www.ticoriver.com/pacuare.htm

This is not the place for a person who does not want to be exploring nature. There are countless places to go hiking and exploring. Just a little tip: bring at least three pairs of tennis shoes; because of it being in the rainforest it is constantly raining. While Turrialba does not offer as many tourist attractions as the beach offers, it lets you discover a completely different side of this country. It is very laid back and allows you to have a relaxing yet fun adventure.

Ireland

When going to Ireland most people think of going to Dublin, but at the very north point lays Belfast. Belfast is a city that still suffers from the aftermath of the Catholic and Protestant war. This city has a lot to offer in history and in beauty. There are many hotels to choose from here but I stayed at The Fitzwilliam Hotel.

http://www.fitzwilliamhotelbelfast.com

Belfast Castle is worth a stop by. It is very pretty and has amazing views from the backyard. Sir Arthur Chichester, who was a Baron of Belfast, built the castle in the 1600s.

http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/tourism-venues/belfastcastle/bcabout.aspx

 Giant’s Causeway is very famous because of it being a naturally formed rock formation. If you are in Ireland you have to visit this site, it is truly an unexplainable beauty. It is also hard to believe that the ocean created it all. Be sure to be prepared to walk down steep stairs to get down to the rock formation. It is also very uneven terrain so be prepared for that. Ireland has a lot to explore but it also offers more than what people would traditionally think of exploring in Ireland.

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Giants-Causeway-Antrim-Northern-Ireland-Bushmills-P2800

Hawaii

  Hawaii is a truly beautiful destination that consists of seven islands in the Pacific Ocean. My favorite island is Kauai, because it has a much more laid back atmosphere than the other islands. I stayed at the Marriot on Kauai. This is a good resort for families as well as couples. They have a sushi restaurant that serves the best sushi in the world.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lihhi-kauai-marriott-resort/

To scuba dive in Hawaii you have to be certified. There is an alternative called SNUBA, which is a mix between snorkeling and scuba. It was truly fun and allowed you to get up close and personal with the fish and sea life.

http://snubakauai.com

For a more scenic tour of the island we took a flight around the island. We went through Air Tour Kauai, the tour involved a three-person plane that allowed you to get and up close view of the island and its more rural areas. Zip lining is also another fun thing you can do while in Hawaii. This is not for those who are afraid of heights. There are many different types of boat rides you can take, from private to group, daytime to sunset. I would recommend you take some kind of seasickness medicine ahead even if you never get sea sick, if it is at all windy that day.

http://www.airtourkauai.com

http://www.koloazipline.com

http://www.napali.com/tours/ca-sail/

Blog 4: Tuscany, Florence, and Cinque Terre

 Tuscany, Florence and Cinque Terre were going to be the last three destinations we traveled to before heading back to the States. From Naples we drove 3 hours to Greve in Chianti, a town in Tuscany. In Greve we stayed at a local women’s home turned into hotel and cooking school. While staying at her house you can choose whether to sign up for the cooking classes in the evening. Tuscany is a place for laid-back individuals who like beautiful landscapes and wineries. We also explored Siena, and Montalcino while in Tuscany.

In Montalcino we drove about two hours to the Banfi Winery. Here they offer wine tastings as well as the option to purchase their wine. There are many wineries all over Tuscany, so pick one that seems to suit your personality the best. Most wineries will offer to ship your purchased wine back for you but we found it is cheaper to buy a new suitcase and pack it in there around softer items.

http://castellobanfi.com/en/our-hospitality/winery_visits.php

The town of Greve in Chianti is a small town where all the action surrounds the town’s central court yard. Here you will find hidden treasures, like shopping and many great restaurants. The pottery stores in Tuscany are absolutely to die for. There are hand crafted and are painted with great care and skill. I would recommend trying to find some pottery to bring home with you because it will last for a long time and they are just gorgeous.

Siena is another town like Greve in Chianti that offers great restaurants and shopping. There is also the Siena Cathedral, Torre del Mangia, Piazza del Campo, and much more. This town is larger and offers more to see while walking around here. The town is famous for the Palio di Siena, which are horse races that are held twice a year on July 2^nd and August 16^th. To learn more about attending the races check the hyperlink above.

http://www.operaduomo.siena.it

http://www.comune.siena.it/La-Citta/Cultura/Strutture-Museali/Torre-del-Mangia

http://www.comune.siena.it

http://www.ilpalio.org/palioenglish.htm

From Tuscany we went to Florence, which is known for its amazing art. Florence is also a place where you may not want to carry a purse unless completely necessary. The Grand Hotel Baglioni, is a high-end hotel located in the Piazza dell’Uniita Italiana and within walking distance to Piazza di Santa Maria Novella. This hotel has a central location to all the activities that are going on. In many of the Piazza’s you will find shopping and restaurants. Florence has a lot of high-end shopping if that interests you; but they also have less high-end stores.

The famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge is something you have to see while in Florence. The bridge is covered in shops and is something to experience that is unlike any other place. While there you should also go up to Fort Belvedere, do not plan on walking up to the Fort; it is a long uphill road, so it is best to catch a cab. There is a market called Mercato Nuovo, which is in the historic center of Florence. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore offers daily tours; it is also one of Italy’s largest churches.

The Uffizi Gallery is an amazing art gallery that is a must see while in Florence. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in Europe. The Basilica of San Lorenzo was the burial place of most of the Medici family and it is also known to be the oldest church in Florence. The Accademia Gallery is where the famous statue The David. Florence has so many places, churches, museums and stores to explore and it is truly an amazing city.

http://www.ilgrandemuseodelduomo.it

http://www.uffizi.org

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/musei/?m=accademia

http://www.basilicasanlorenzofirenze.com

The last stop of the trip was Cinque Terre, which is a collection of small beach towns. Parking here is very difficult so approach with caution. These towns are extremely small so you could explore many of them in one day. But these towns do attract tourist because of the bright blue water and there pretty beaches. I would recommend doing a day trip to Cinque Terre, because it so small and staying there you might run out of things to do. From Cinque Terre we drove back to Milan and stayed in a hotel before flying out the next morning.