One thing about Paris is that it looks much smaller on a map than when you are in the streets on foot. As we walked from Notre Dame to the Jardin du Luxembourg, we were starting to feel it in our feet, so we took a break for a bit of café. The garden itself was expansive and each area had rich detailing.
From there we headed on to the Eiffel Tower, a sight that did not disappoint. Much larger and more elaborate than I imagined, the monument loomed over the city. We decided to take the elevator up to the top, which was not for the faint of heart. One rode up the slope of the legs like the Free Fall ride at Six Flags and the other right up the center, seemingly with nothing below but the ground to break a fall. The view from the top really gave you an idea of the vastness of the city. It stretched on for forever, as far as the clouds went. The ride down was a harrowing experience, so we took the stairs for the first part.
After getting our feet firmly on the ground, we grabbed dinner around the corner that way we could see the lights on the tower at night. The display was exciting to watch; although I hear the French hate it. We struggled home after having having walked across the giant city and promptly fell asleep.
The next morning we caught the earliest train out to Amsterdam. Actually, we left so early that our hotel hadn't even started breakfast yet. After we thought we were missing keys and Roark sprinted back to the hotel, we finally made it in time, if a bit out of breath, for our train. Rafi and Jason were waiting at the train station in Amsterdam to greet us. We all went to check in to our hotel (“this shit had a tight ass view.”), which had a resident cat that was adorable and wanted all my love. But the mean and allergic Justine banned the precious thing from our room. We had to settle for a 'hallway only' relationship and one breakfast date, where she sat in between Roark and myself.
Once we all freshened up from our train ride, we headed out. After lunch and a harrowing situation, which involved Will passing out, we went back to the hotel so he could get some more rest. Justine was already there napping, succumbed to the jet lag, and Will promptly joined her. After everyone was good and rested, we headed back out for some cheese, chocolate, and Mexican among other things.
The next day, Rafi and Jason departed, and we headed out to the Museumplein for a look at the Iamsterdam sign. Our visit also included a brief ride on the tire swings, which would have been longer if it was not for the group of 15 year old girls staring us down like vultures so we would get off. We also walked past the Anne Frank house and through the Red Light District to Justine’s amusement and disgust. After she and I were disgusted enough we went back to the hotel and went to sleep.
The next day we headed back to Metz. Everyone came over for dinner, drinking and cards. We were all really cute sleeping 4 in the bed, but it lead to a sleepless night. The next morning we headed out to see some of downtown Metz. We went to the cathedral, down by the river and past some neat parks. We called it an early day since we were taking an early train into Paris for a day at the Louvre.
When we got up, it was raining. It made for good sleep on the train, but eventually lead to the ruin of our day. Getting of the train in Paris there was a sketchy group of guys running around with a boom box and bullhorn creating a ruckus. We were going to check our bags in the train station since we couldn't carry them into the Louvre. It seemed like we were following the sketchy guys to the baggage check. And we were, except they got there first and somehow got the guy running the baggage check to close up shop and leave with them to continue the crazy ruckus around the train station. So that ruled out the Louvre for the day and no one wanted to walk around in the rain with all our bags for 8 hours until we caught our train to Nice. So we decided to spend the day in Cafes. It was more costly then we were hoping, but we got some good coffee and French Onion Soup that was out of this world.
Finally, we caught our train to Nice and checked in for the night at our hostel there. It was a shame we did not get to spend more time because the hostel was amazing and the city looked like a lot of fun. But we were on our way to Rome and it was raining there too anyways.
The train ride to Rome was very scenic riding along the Mediterranean. We had a stop over in Genoa with enough time to stop and grab some pesto gnocchi from the homeland of pesto. It was some of the best pesto we have ever had. Getting into Rome we called it an early night so we would be roaring and ready to go in the morning.
First we hit up the Coliseum, the Trajan Markets and the Monument to Emanuele II. Since Roark and I had been before we were trying to see new things the second time. The markets were pretty much completely ruined and only alluded to an outline of what they once were. We tried to get into the roman forum again, but it was closed.
Later that night we walked out to the Spanish Steps to see the sunset. It was absolutely beautiful and the view was prime. From there we went back to the Coliseum to see it lit up at night. It was a completely different thing viewing it at night. It looked very dramatic and much more epic than in the day.
For our second day in Rome, we headed back to the Vatican. I pretty much gave Will and Justine the tour that we went on. I must have not been that good, cause I did not get a tip. Afterwards, we picnicked out in front of St. Peter’s and enjoyed some of the best weather yet on our trip in Europe.
AFter that, we walked over to Castel Sant’Angelo which was a fortification for some Popes. We got to see the lavish quarters of the Popes and even the dungeons. What was most amazing about the Castel was the views. We could see all of Rome and on such a glorious day, it was worth the money just to look at the blue sky and feel the breeze and sun on your face.
Later that night we had reservations at Alfredo’s, where Fettucine Alfredo was first created. The food was expensive and just a bit better than average for what we had expected. But the place had nice character and some really funny Italian style Mariachi band that were quite entertaining during dinner.
After dinner we wound down the night and Will and Justine’s visit by eating gelato by Trevi Fountain. The fountain and gelato were a sweet ending to a trip we will forever remember and hold close to our hearts. The morning was a sad and early goodbye only made positive by thinking of how soon we would all be back together in Atlanta again.
Roark and I were then off to Florence for the night before heading back to Metz. After a long nap trying to recoup from the exhaustion of constantly going, going, I headed off to the Uffizi Gallery while Roark stayed back to make music since he was museumed out. Uffizi is my favorite gallery I have been to by far. It is very well organized in chronological order and the rooms are neat and not over stuffed. All the art is high quality with a ton of major pieces. The collection they amassed was unrivaled anywhere else I have been. Plus, it was ladies day, so I got in for free. Can’t beat that.
When I got back, we grabbed a bottle of wine and headed up to Piazza di Michelangelo to watch the sunset. It was a glorious night full of colors. Later that night we headed out to a nice dinner. This night in Florence was literally our first trip somewhere just the two of us. It was nice to have some time to do something nice just us. Dinner was wonderful. The place, Il Santo Bevitore, was a candle-lit wine bar built in an old stable with a relaxed atmosphere. The food was on par and made for a wonderful last Italian meal.
Saying goodbye to Florence was bittersweet since we really fell in love with the city, as with the whole of Italy. We really got to experience a lot and see so much of such a lovely country with so much history and heritage. But after 3 weeks of non-stop travel, we were very happy to be back in our own bed in France.
***Will has yet to send me the really good pictures we got on this trip. Once I receive them from him, I will update the blog with better photos. So, hurry up Will, people are waiting...***
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