Well, All, my Contiki trip has come to an end and I am sad. I made the best of friends in these 9 short days and it's weird to me that I will not be seeing them when I return to The States, but I'm positive we'll keep in touch.
I'm currently in Paris with my Aunt and cousin, and it's been rather wonderful. They live in a quaint town (think Chocolat) called Feucherrolles, which is right next to the town in which Johnny Depp lives. Too bad it's currently snowing and I can't go on a mission to stalk him. Shucks.
Yesterday my Aunt and I went to the Palace of Versailles, where she gave me the 411 on Napoleon and Marie Antoinette, who moved into this HUGE estate at the ripe age of 14. She even had a toy farm. Visiting Versailles makes me wish I had taken European History in high school or at least did more research; the Palace, and Paris itself, is chalk-full of history, it's often hard to wrap one's mind around all of it. Incredible. Hot chocolate, tea, and warming myself by the fireplace have been in abundance during my extension.
My last few days on the Contiki were spent in Paris, where Lara and I took off on our own little adventure. We climbed hundreds of steps at the Sacre Coure (phew, what a workout!) to see the most breathtaking view of Paris; then, took a metro ride to a flea market in the Red Light District, and finally took a stroll down the Champs Elyseesto have the MOST AMAZING HOT CHOCOLATE/DESSERTS I have ever had at Laduree, a bakery/boutique/restaurant on the Champs Elysees. Mmm.
After our stroll down the Champs Elysees and our quick peek into the massive LV (girls, I hope you know what that is), we headed to the Latin Quarter, strolled through the massive and stunning grounds of the Palais Luxembourg, then had...pizza and beer (Stellas, to be exact) at a restaurant in the Latin Quarter called, well, Stella. How fitting, and American (pizza and beer in Paris, how cultural...?)
We then made our first and only mistake on the metro that day (high five, Lara!) as we headed in the wrong direction, but then readily corrected it, and met up with our group at the Musee d'Orsay. 15 minutes late, but pretty good, no? Most of our group members were also pooped from visiting other sites, such as the Louvre, the catacombs, etc. I was fortunate to have seen these landmarks on a prior trip, which is why I didn't go to them.
At night, our group had dinner at a fun French restaurant in the Artists' Corner by the Sacre Coure )(double Stair Master workout!), where I tasted some delicious French Onion Soup and was serenaded by a cross-dressing man, who also tried to take pictures of me on his camera phone for about 5 minutes, no joke. The view was so amazing. Our group was quite a sight as well, as we were dressed up to go to the Moulin Rouge afterwards. Ooh la la, sexy sexy.
The night before, my Contiki tour manager had arranged for us to go to the top of the Eiffel tower. This was my second time at the tower but first time there at night and during winter. It was certainly freezing and windy up there, so bring a coat if you during the winter, but be prepared to have your heart warmed: as Paris is the city of love, it's no surprise that our Contiki group witnessed two proposals during our visit. Precious!
It's been a whirlwind of a trip but I've had the time of my life. I cannot find enough adjectives to describe how changing this experience has been for me. Please, don't live vicariously through me -- get out there and travel yourself. You won't regret it.
Off to watch Amelie...in Paris. :)
Au Revoir!
Showing posts with label Europe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Europe. Show all posts
Monday, January 5, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM FLORENCE!
Today is December 31, 2008.
I just explored Florence.
And now I am going to get ready to eat dinner in the romantic Tuscan countryside.
Sigh.
And then,
clubbing to ring in 2009.
in Florence. Lets say that again.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! CONTIKI IS FAWESOME!
I just explored Florence.
And now I am going to get ready to eat dinner in the romantic Tuscan countryside.
Sigh.
And then,
clubbing to ring in 2009.
in Florence. Lets say that again.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! CONTIKI IS FAWESOME!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Hello from Europa!
Greetings from Europe. After almost a full day of traveling, I have safely arrived. Yesterday was a whirlwind of a jet-lagged day as the 21 other young, American travelers and myself were whisked around Munich, later to enjoy a private dinner seating at an exciting and warm (!!) Hofbrauhaus at night. Beer was sloshed, cups were clanked, songs were sung. It was a great and welcoming first night.
Today we are in Ahhhnold's home, Austria, where we rode swift gondolas up snow-capped mountains. Unfortunately we don't have enough time for me to strap on some skis and join the locals, but I'm taking a break from strolling through the quiant city to write this post in an internet cafe, which coincidentally is a cafe I've visited in 2006 with friends (it's next to the Magic Pizza Shop where we got in trouble for bringing the pizza onto the bus, haha!).
It's positively freezing, but I'm glad to have brought my thickest coat (it's still not enough though!). I'm off to Venice and Florence in a bit, then Switzerland and finally Paris. Updates soon and huge hugs from me to you!
Today we are in Ahhhnold's home, Austria, where we rode swift gondolas up snow-capped mountains. Unfortunately we don't have enough time for me to strap on some skis and join the locals, but I'm taking a break from strolling through the quiant city to write this post in an internet cafe, which coincidentally is a cafe I've visited in 2006 with friends (it's next to the Magic Pizza Shop where we got in trouble for bringing the pizza onto the bus, haha!).
It's positively freezing, but I'm glad to have brought my thickest coat (it's still not enough though!). I'm off to Venice and Florence in a bit, then Switzerland and finally Paris. Updates soon and huge hugs from me to you!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
The Gift of Travel (I'm off to Europe with Contiki!)
Happy Holidays, everyone.
I've been truly blessed this year with an incredible opportunity to go on a trip with Contiki Holidays, a travel-vacation company for 18-35 year-olds with tours to Europe (Greek Island Hopping included!), Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Russia, Egypt, Mexico, and Asia. Phew!
As I'm taking a break from helping my family with Christmas feast preparations, I wanted to update and let ya'll know where I'll be from 12/26-1/7 with Contiki.
I depart from LAX for Munich on 12/26 on a 6am flight (mmm, what an hour).
Sat 12/27 - Arrive Munich. Explore & check out the Hofbrauhaus beerhall for dinner. Yo ho.
Sun 12/28 - Munich to Innsbruck via Hopfgarten (Austria). We'll visit the ski village of Hopfgarten for lunch and then a trip to the top of the ALPS! Then we'll go to Innsbruck and wander this adorable town & soak in the snow-capped Alps that will surround us. I hope it'll be just like "The Holiday" - cute & quaint & warm (ya, I know. "Aww!").
Mon 12/29 - Munich to Venice. Gondola rides, St. Mark's square, delicious pizza & even better wine, and a little Italian romance, perhaps? Hah.
Tues 12/30 - Venice to Florence. Ah, Tuscany. Good thing my friends and I just watched "Under the Tuscan Sun"! Although it'll be a bit colder, we'll enjoy our cobble-stone strolls and reminiscings of the Renaissance.
Wed 12/31 - Florence. A full day! With my fellow Contiki go-ers, we will have a tour of this beautiful city, including the Piazza della Signoria. I'll have to watch my wallet as we'll have tons of free time to shop. Oh, and did I mention...
NEW YEAR'S IN FLORENCE, ITALY! It's pretty sweet, no? I'll be counting down 2009 in a very...bella..city...oh man do I need to start learning some Italian.
Thurs 1/1 - Florence to Lucerne, Switzerland - an absolutely BREATHTAKING place. Serene, medieval, LOVELY. I can't use any other words to describe it. I've been to Lucerne before, but never during the winter, and I'm tantilized by the opportunity to warm myself up with some Swiss hot chocolate. Mmm =)
Fri 1/2 - Luc
ern to Paris. We'll drive past vineyards and arrive to a sparkling Eiffel Tower. Sigh :)
Sat 1/3 - Paris. Another free day to explore! Perhaps I'll visit the Louvre, Notre Dame, or maybe stroll down the Champs Elysees? Dinner in the Montmarter district with my fellow Contiki go-ers.
Sun 1/4 - Au revoir a Contiki. But...
1/4 - 1/7 - Family time with my cousins in Paris!
Contact Info:
-I will not have a phone, but will use phone cards.
-I will be mostly communicating via email from the many Internet cafes available in Europe
-Email me at kristinaxlee@gmail.com!
______________________________________________
On the preparation note, my 44 lb. suitcase is packed with lots of layerable clothes to keep me *hopefully* warm and toasty in the foggy/rainy/snowy streets of Europe. Not sure if I'm prepared for this kind of cold, as the "California cold" is to be scoffed at by others, but hey - gotta live it up and experience new things, right?
The next time you'll hear from me, I'll be across the world. Look forward to new posts!
Merry Christmas.
Ciao,
Kristina
I've been truly blessed this year with an incredible opportunity to go on a trip with Contiki Holidays, a travel-vacation company for 18-35 year-olds with tours to Europe (Greek Island Hopping included!), Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Russia, Egypt, Mexico, and Asia. Phew!
As I'm taking a break from helping my family with Christmas feast preparations, I wanted to update and let ya'll know where I'll be from 12/26-1/7 with Contiki.
I depart from LAX for Munich on 12/26 on a 6am flight (mmm, what an hour).
Sat 12/27 - Arrive Munich. Explore & check out the Hofbrauhaus beerhall for dinner. Yo ho.
Sun 12/28 - Munich to Innsbruck via Hopfgarten (Austria). We'll visit the ski village of Hopfgarten for lunch and then a trip to the top of the ALPS! Then we'll go to Innsbruck and wander this adorable town & soak in the snow-capped Alps that will surround us. I hope it'll be just like "The Holiday" - cute & quaint & warm (ya, I know. "Aww!").
Mon 12/29 - Munich to Venice. Gondola rides, St. Mark's square, delicious pizza & even better wine, and a little Italian romance, perhaps? Hah.
Tues 12/30 - Venice to Florence. Ah, Tuscany. Good thing my friends and I just watched "Under the Tuscan Sun"! Although it'll be a bit colder, we'll enjoy our cobble-stone strolls and reminiscings of the Renaissance.
Wed 12/31 - Florence. A full day! With my fellow Contiki go-ers, we will have a tour of this beautiful city, including the Piazza della Signoria. I'll have to watch my wallet as we'll have tons of free time to shop. Oh, and did I mention...
NEW YEAR'S IN FLORENCE, ITALY! It's pretty sweet, no? I'll be counting down 2009 in a very...bella..city...oh man do I need to start learning some Italian.
Thurs 1/1 - Florence to Lucerne, Switzerland - an absolutely BREATHTAKING place. Serene, medieval, LOVELY. I can't use any other words to describe it. I've been to Lucerne before, but never during the winter, and I'm tantilized by the opportunity to warm myself up with some Swiss hot chocolate. Mmm =)
Fri 1/2 - Luc
ern to Paris. We'll drive past vineyards and arrive to a sparkling Eiffel Tower. Sigh :)Sat 1/3 - Paris. Another free day to explore! Perhaps I'll visit the Louvre, Notre Dame, or maybe stroll down the Champs Elysees? Dinner in the Montmarter district with my fellow Contiki go-ers.
Sun 1/4 - Au revoir a Contiki. But...
1/4 - 1/7 - Family time with my cousins in Paris!
Contact Info:
-I will not have a phone, but will use phone cards.
-I will be mostly communicating via email from the many Internet cafes available in Europe
-Email me at kristinaxlee@gmail.com!
______________________________________________
On the preparation note, my 44 lb. suitcase is packed with lots of layerable clothes to keep me *hopefully* warm and toasty in the foggy/rainy/snowy streets of Europe. Not sure if I'm prepared for this kind of cold, as the "California cold" is to be scoffed at by others, but hey - gotta live it up and experience new things, right?
The next time you'll hear from me, I'll be across the world. Look forward to new posts!
Merry Christmas.
Ciao,
Kristina
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Less than a month 'til Europe!
First of all, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I surely am happy to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends and LOVE. I'm also very blessed to have the opportunity to travel. On that note, I'm going on a Contiki trip this winter break from December 26, 2008 - January 4, 2009 (2009? oh my!). I'm going with some friends and am excited to make some new ones as well.
Places I'm going to hit up - Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Austria, Switzerland...and more to come. All will be covered with wintery/snowy/beautiful goodness. Or so I hope. Here's a map of my past and future travels - enjoy, and let me know if you're tempted to go on a similar trip!
Places I'm going to hit up - Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Austria, Switzerland...and more to come. All will be covered with wintery/snowy/beautiful goodness. Or so I hope. Here's a map of my past and future travels - enjoy, and let me know if you're tempted to go on a similar trip!
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