I am convinced Cinque Terre is one of the most lovely, easy going, naturally gorgeous areas of Europe. The End.
Tag: Europe
The Chocolate Train: Switzerland
A 20 minute train ride away from Lausanne, Switzerland is the Montreaux train station. From this station, the Chocolate Train leaves every morning to ferry people away to a land of endless chocolate. I’m convinced this is as close to the Willy Wonka experience as I’ll ever get, and I’m good with that.
Flaneurs: Strolling Around Europe
Some cities are not full of typical tourist attractions, but are gorgeous and worth visiting for other reasons. Specifically, I’ve found some cities ideal for simply walking around, seeing what there is to see, and soaking up culture. There might be one or two spots worth a visit, but primarily, it’s about enjoying just being where you are. Essentially, this is the art of flaneurs, the art of strolling. Flaneur is a French word, one which I think perfectly captures a method of delighting in travel; it emphasizes strolling around, noticing little details, and focusing on where you are and your surroundings. While strolling can be practiced anywhere, a few cities I’ve visited are especially great for embracing the art of flaneurs: Dubrovnik, Kotor, Tirana, Stavanger, Brasov, and Bratislava.
1. Dubrovnik, Croatia
The southern tip of croatia hosts this gem. Old Town, Game of Thrones castles, coastal walks, rocky beaches, and clear teal-blue-green water delight the eyes as you stroll around the city.
Pisa & Livorno
I recently had the privilege to meet up with one of my favorite people, my middle school math teacher, and one of my mom’s best friends in Livorno, Italy. We had a blast and I absolutely fell in love with Italy and her family!
Livorno is rich in history, and is home to multiple churches that may be unassuming on the outside, but are full of grandeur on the inside. I had the treat of an impromptu tour with Mrs. Azmoudeh’s brother, Karim, who showed us the highlights of the incredible churches in Livorno.