The Splendors of Europe

April 3rd - April 17th

Five Countries, beautiful spring landscapes, fairy-tale castles, gorgeous sun, salty sea spray, exploring history, making memories, hours on a bus, learning bits and pieces of new languages, gelato, famous cities, 1,000 photos and seeing the Pope. It all happened on one of the most incredible trips of my life - the Euro Trip 2011.

Day 1: 24 hour bus ride

Left from Kielce 8:00 am, arrived in Paris, France at 8:00am next day. Longest bus ride of my life.

Day 2: Paris

After emerging from the depths of the Parisian subway, our first stop was the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame

The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair and now is the symbol of France. There is an incredible view from the top and I was lucky enough not to have to climb up the 600 stairs...

For my 10th birthday party I served eclairs instead of cake. Who knew that the day before my 19th birthday I would eat a real French eclair!

Day 3: My birthday in the French countryside

The beautiful hall of mirrors in the Palace of Versaille. Versaille is incredible - the size and splendor of the place is grander than anything I have ever seen. Gold, jewels and more gold.

The beautiful French countryside, fields full of blooming flowers!

Chateau Chambord, a magical castle south of Versaille. With it's huge, but graceful proportions and gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside, I think that Chambord might be one of my favorite places I visited.

Crest in the windows of Chambord -
H clearly stands for Hennen

Day 4: Tallest Bridge in the World

We first climbed to the top of the overview and then got back on the bus to drive across the tallest bridge in the world - Millau Viaduct. Over 1500 feet tall, the villages underneath it look like ant colonies!

Day 5: Carcassonne and FC Barcelona

Carcassonne is a completely intact medieval fortress that still holds a lovely little town. It has huge outer walls and to enter one must walk over a moat. Inside the roads are still the same size they were when traveled by carts, making it a bit narrow for the cars and tourists to pass at the same time!

Me, before entering the medieval city

Last stop of the day - the world famous FC Barcelona soccer stadium. Home stadium to the famous Catalonian soccer team, there are enough seats for almost 100,000 people!

Day 6: Barcelona

The Sagrada Familia Church. Building started in 1880s and is expected to be finished sometime in 2020. Is incredibly tall with amazingly detailed sculptures covering its sides. Architect - Gaudi

View of Barcelona was a top one of its highest points. The statues are dancing a traditional Catalonian dance.

The famous lizard in the Park Güell. Park Güell is a fascinating park full of color, mostly made up of mosaics. It has lovely views of Barcelona and the longest park bench in the world!

Day 7: Southern Coast of France

Man fishing in Nice, France.

Avignon - Palace of the Popes. During violent periods in the Middle Ages, the popes lived here in this beautiful palace on the southern coast of France.

Pont du Gard is part of the ancient Roman aquaduct system in France. Its image can be found on the back on the €5 note!

Relaxing on the Mediterranean Sea

Day 8: Monaco

Famous Monte Carlo Casino. Unfortunately it was not open the day I was there so I wasn't able to win a million dollars, but I definitely saw people who had a million dollars!

Changing of guard at the Royal Palace in Monaco.

Monaco - second smallest country in the world!

Day 9: Florence

Local delicatsy - cow tongue! I tried it, the taste is okay, the texture quite disgusting!

Famous view of Florence

The Basilica of Florence. Historical greats such as Galieao and Dante are burried there!

Day 10: Rome

At the Coliseum!

Quite a large building and in amazing shape for being over 2,000 years old!

Pantheon - a place I once wrote a four page paper on. Pretty amazing to see it in person!

Day 11: Vatican

Went to a public audience with the Pope. When I took this picture I was standing about 6 feet away as he drove by!

Saint Peter - you must touch his foot for good luck, which I did!

Day 12: Pompei and Mount Vesuvius

After a long, very windy bus ride and then an incredibly steep hike, I made it to the top of Mount Vesuvius. There was an incredible view from the top, a lovely breeze and a huge sense of acomplishment!

In the center of the Pompei ruins! Pretty amazing to be walking on the same roads that Romans walked thousands of years ago!

One of the hundreds of stray dogs that make the ruins of Pompei their home. They snoozed in the shade of the columns, jumped through ancient doorways and watched people enter the Roman baths!

Day 13: Romeo and Juliet's Verona

The outskirts of the beautiful Italian city of Verona - one of my favorite cities in Italy!

Juliet's Balcony! However, it is a fake - the real balcony is believed to be on the other side of the building, where it's impossible to photograph.

Day 14: Venice

One of the beautiful canals of Venice. A beautiful city, where boats really are the form of transportation! Unfortunately, I didn't get to take a gondola ride due to extremely high prices, but it's amazing to watch them float down the canals!

On the edge of Venice!

Adriatic Sea at dusk

Day 15: Back to Kielce - and a surprise!
'

I was welcomed home to Kielce from another 24 hour bus ride with a beautiful (and delicious) cake made by my host family, a rendition of Sto Lat (the happy birthday song) and a few gifts. It was an incredible way to end my amazing trip!