BELLA ROMA

          Our first big must see was to go see the Pope at the Vatican, because it's the thing to do while in Rome. We were lucky to be able to see the Pope inargurate new priest to the church. We had planned the right day to go and we weren't the only ones there, about a thousand other onlookers were there to see the ceremony happening that day. 

       

            Rosaries from the Vatican 

     To make it easy to see everything in a short time and not have to walk everywhere, we did the hop on hop off red bus for €25, and it was worth it. I recommend it for those with a few days to visit any city. You can hit all the major sites in one day. Just saves you a lot of time in the end. 

                

                      Rome's City Square 

           The Colosseum is amazing to see in person. Not so much on the outside during the time that we visited because of the scaffolding all around it, but going inside to see were the Roman gladiators once battled each other. You can buy your tickets online before you go in order to not wait in line and the Red hop on, hop off bus will drop you right at it's doorsteps. How convenient is that!   

        The Trevi Fountain was probably my favorite landmark to see in Rome. It just sits in the middle of the city surrounded by apartments, restraurants, and stores. It's funny to see how the city has just grown around this beautiful structure. 

       Throwing our pennies into the fountain to wish for a return trip to Rome.

         

       Those girls look like they belong on the streets of Rome!

      Seeing we were in Rome for a whole week, we had time for a day trip to Naples. I wanted to get a Naples pizza like Julia Roberts did in "Eat, Pray, Love" and see if it was as good as she made it out to be. Mmmm, let's just say I had better pizza in Rome. Nothing seemed to be working out in the food department for me over here in Italy. 

     I'll have to say that Naples is beautiful though. Next time I'd stay a few nights in this liitle town. It's only an hour away from Rome and pretty easy to get too. The seafood is amazing here and you can pretty much get any kind of seafood pasta that you want. Nothing better then looking out onto the clear water with a glass of vino. 

     As a side trip from Naples, Carla talked us into seeing Pompeii located about an hour away. We had hired our own private taxi driver to drive us around Naples, so he gladly drove us out to see this amazing village that was destroyed by a volcano eruption and covered in ash in 1500 BC. We had two hours to see this city that would really take you days to walk through. 

     As we prepared to leave Rome after an amazing week, we decided to make a farewell dinner for some friends we had met in our "women's only" hostel. (Carla loves to says it was a lesbian hostel, but I don't think they were all lesbians really) So we went out to buy some fine Italian ingrediates to make some pasta alfredo and a salad with fresh green olives, and a side of Italian bread. Nothing better then to cook for your new friends. Of course we had a few bottles of vino to enjoy with each other, your in Italy after all. 

  

    Our last night in Rome with great new friends! 

    Oh how I fell in love with Rome....except for the pasta! Maybe we just didn't find the right cafe or chief to cook us the perfect pasta dish. How disappointed we were. The only thing I found that I loved in Rome was the pizza and the vino! I think I drank my way through Italy holding a bottle of red wine at my side. I'm sure that's how the Italians do it. I know it is! 

    So in the end just make pasta and not war, but make your own at your hostel and skip the cafés here in Rome. Very disappointing! 

GAUDI AND TAPAS

    We were excited to see hot Spanish guys and eat our fill of tapas when we got to Barcelona and boy we were not disappointed at either! First we had to check into our hip hostel we had booked through Hostelbookers.com though.

   The Generator hostels are some of the best hostels to stay in if you are traveling with a large group or trying to travel on the cheap. We had an amazing time at this huge artsy fartsy hostel in Barcelona. Hip bar that stayed open til 2am, a restaurant with great food, and places to kick back around every corner. I highly recommend them for anyone traveling overseas. 

   Just walking the quant little streets of Spain, picking up some gelato and people watching is an enjoyable experience believe me. Everyone in Spain was dress so hip, as if they had stepped out of a magazine. Makes you want to go shopping for a new wardrobe. We picked up a new scarf while we where there to blend in a bit.

   Barcelona is famous for several buildings built by Gaudi, a famous architect from Spain. He created buildings as Gothic art located around the city of Barcelona. He's work is beautiful to see in person. Nothing in the world looks like what he designed here. His work is a must see while you are visiting. 

     This Gaudi building was located not far from were we stayed. This part of Barcelona is called the "Gothic" area of the city. 

       You'll find something wonderful around every corner while you are here, a quant little cafe, a square full of people feeding pigeons, boutique shopping stores, amazing architectural buildings, and maybe even an erotic museum. 

     A beautiful little square we find while walking Barcelona, Spain. Weather was nice and warm.....no jacket required today! 

    Sometimes you really should ask before you order something on the menu in a foreign country, and this was one of those times. The cute little quail eggs on potatoes looked tasty, but what was on top of that was interesting. We got to taste some BRAIN with this French tapa that we ordered. Interesting taste and texture to say the least. Not my favorite thing to eat! 

       Spain has some of the best cappuccino around and we drank our fair share of it while we were here. Gets you through a long day of exploring and can be found at every cafe, street vendor, and restraurant. Yummy for for tummy! 

  

     Barcelona has a nice marina and some beautiful beaches to go for a stroll after you have had a nice cup of cappuccino or a nice glass of vino. Spend a day just relaxing by the water is what a vacation is all about. Make sure to learn to take it easy like the Europeans do, because after all you are on vacation. 

     We had one sunny, beautiful day here in Barcelona and we took full advantage of it. Listened to some music being played by local musicians,  while taking a stroll by the water......Nothing better! 

    I have falling in love with cheese and fresh cut Jam'on! 

      Yes you know we found it and concurred it......The Erotic Museum of Barcelona! Interesting find while walking around town and you just have to go in a take a peek. 

      We got whipped into shape at the Erotic museum.......Whip it, whip it good! 

     Gustov Klimt, one of my favorite painters of all times. This was a replica, but was a pretty good one because I asked our guide if it was the original one. I guess it would be kinda weird it being in an Erotic museum huh? 

    I am in love with TAPAS! I think we should all serve tapas as dinner, with of course some nice wine. Being served smaller portions of different things, really let's you try out all kinds of different dishes. We got to eat some tasty dishes while we sipped on delicious Spainish wine. Definently one of my favorite things we did while visiting here. 

   What's not to love about a tapa bar?!?!? They are pretty much everywhere you go and you just want to sample a little bit of everything. 

     It's a must to try the traditional dish of Spain.....Paella! They serve it many different ways here. How can you go wrong with saffron rice, you just can't. 

    This church is another creation of Gaudi, but was being repaired while we were here. I was told the repairs will be taking place for many years to come, so don't exspect it to be finished anytime soon. Still a beautiful piece of artwork that you must not miss out on seeing. Gaudi was truly a genius! 

Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (1852-1926)

      Overall Barcelona was an amazing place to see on our Europe Trippin. With great wine, great food like tapas and Italian pasta, amazing Gothic buildings, beautiful beaches, and the well dress beautiful people everywhere you go. I will be back for some more soon! 

MARRAKECH EXPRESS

 

Marrakesh is the most important of Morocco's four large cities. It's located close to the Sahara Desert where you can ride camels and stay overnight in a Berber tent. It also has a large shopping square located in Old Medina area.

    

   If you come to Marrakech, staying in a Riad in Medina is a must. We found this one that is family owned and run by a wonderful Moroccan family. Check their website out at www.riadzinoun.com to book a beautiful Moroccan style room. Rooms go for around $50-60 a night here. 

   

     Moroccan food is filled with a large part of Mediterranean food influences. Their countries bread is called khoubz and is served at every meal. You will find olives are added to many Moroccan dishes. One of the local dishes served everywhere you go is Taijin, made with either chicken or beef. Not sure what kind of beef, because we didn't really see any dogs. I know horse meat is very popular in foriegn countries. But you eat and don't ask or think about it.

   This dish is the Morrocan salad served before your meal, along with khoubz bread. Very light and tasty with a drizzle of olive oil added. Perfect start to a great dinner.

    

     We got different impressions about the people of Morocco. Some can be very aggressive towards you when they are trying to get you to buy something from them. The market places are the worst to be harassed. But when you realize these people only make around .60 cents a day, you begin to understand that this is what they have to do to survive here. We did meet many friendly Moroccans on our trip here. I think knowing a little about the culture is important in understanding the people here. 

    Moroccan mint tea is served at every meal and is offered to you as a friendly gester here. In fact it is considered rude if you do not except tea that is offered to you by the locals. 

    There is no denying it, the buildings here are amazing. With perfect details  added to every aspect of the palaces and Mosques. Great pride was taking in building these great houses for the kings of Morocco to live in. I loved photographing this beautiful palace we went to that is located in Old Medina.

    Old Medina is where the action really happens. From snake charmers, restaurants, huge market square with hundreds of stores to shop in, beautiful Riads to stay in and great people watching as you sip on some Moroccan mint tea. Everything you want to see is located here in this maze of tunnels and dark alleys. 

      The Souk market of Medina is the Meca of Marrakech. This place is built on tourism and would not survive without it. These people depend on visitors coming here to spend their money to get a taste of Morocco.

   

    You will find real leather bags, colorful shoes, Moroccan dresses, jasmine oil, and Taijin pottery around every corner here in the Souk market. Bring your wallet and a big bag to carry all the amazing stuff you will want to take home.  

    While your shopping, make sure to charm a few snakes along the way, or they will try and charm you. Make sure to bring your wallet with you too, nothing is free here in Morocco! 

    It's very cliche, but riding a camel in the desert is a must while you are here. They are not that comfortable and some camels aren't that happy to have you on their backs, but it's an experience you shouldn't miss out on.

    In the end we will have to say we had a great time here in this exotic place. Next time we will know what to expect and not be overly shocked culture wise. Infact we would love to return to see more of Marrakech. Anyone up for a Moroccan shopping spree?