#TOTALSOCIAL - My Favorite Travel Moments

This month's theme of the link up with Helene at Helene in Between and Sarah at Venus Trapped in Mars is favorites. This is such a broad topic, there are so many options, favorite foods, favorite movies, favorite books, this list goes on and on. Finally, I decided I wanted to do my favorite places I've traveled too, which can be hard because I've honestly loved every place I've been. So I thought I'd take it a step further and tell you about my favorite travel moments. On several trips I've been on there have been these little moments where I just sit and think, wow, this is my life and it is pretty awesome.

1. The summer after my sophomore year of college I traveled to Europe with a college tour group. We spent two days in Paris (definitely not enough time). One day we had a group ticket to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower but, that wasn't until later in the day, so a few girls and I spent the day wandering the city, seeing the sights. About an hour before our tour was supposed to start we were tired and hungry so we grabbed snack and sat on the grass in a little park right next to the Eiffel Tower. I can't explain why, but that hour sitting in the park underneath the Eiffel Tower, eating, talking and taking a nap was my favorite part of my whole time there.

2. I had traveled to Guatemala with my mom, sister and a group of volunteers to work in a village up in the mountains, helping at their primary school and clinic. After our week spent there we spent a few days in Antigua before heading home. I love Antigua. It is one of my favorite places I've ever traveled too. It is a colonial influenced city with cobble-stoned streets and Spanish architecture. One rainy afternoon my sister and I were sitting in a cafe, escaping the weather, when we noticed through the frosted glass window a small child playing outside. He kept pressing his hands against the window, so we started to do the same. We probably sat there and did that for at least 20 minutes until the rain stopped and we could explore more of the city.

3. In that same trip to Europe with the college tour group, we visited Venice. I don't know how it happened but, I ended up getting separated from my group of friends. So I ended up wander the streets, alleyways and canals of Venice by myself and it was amazing. I let myself get lost, which is very easy in Venice, and spent a couple hours shopping, eating gelato and exploring.

4. In college I did a winter semester abroad in Ecuador. One weekend while I was there we traveled to a town, high up in the mountains, called Patate. We stayed in a old colonial house that had been converted into a beautiful hotel. At night after dinner we were sitting out back in the yard, when we saw this flash of bright orange light off in the distance. The owner of the hotel explained that Patate was in the foothills of Tungurahua an active volcano and at night it has several small eruptions that spew lava and ash in the air. We ended up sitting there for hours just watching the small eruptions off in the distance, it was amazing. (Sadly, I don't have any photos.

5. Recently, I traveled to the Sand Dune Islands off the coast of San Cosme, Paraguay in the middle of the Paraná River. These small islands are shrinking every minute and in the next few years they will be gone completely. I remember sitting there on the dunes, it was a beautiful, cool day, feeling like we were in the middle of no where and how quickly things can pass us by and disappear, it was a beautiful moment. 

What are your favorite travel moments?

Travel Flashback: Verona, Italy

When I was in college, the summer after my sophomore year, I took most of my savings and sprung for  a three week European adventure with the college travel company, EF College Break. It was a great way for me to go off on and travel on my own for the first time but in a way that made it super easy to meet people. It was a solo trip, with training wheels. 

After leaving the beautiful Venice, we were on our way to Lucerne, Switzerland. But, first we had a little stopover in Verona. Of all of the stops on my European road trip, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Venice, I had not given much thought or excitement to the idea of Verona. But, after spending a day there I realized how wrong I had been. 

Verona is hailed as a city of romance, I mean it is the home to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and honestly it lives up to the name. It's streets are full of quintessential Italian charm, the sidewalks are even lined with marble and this city had by far the best, cleanest and best designed public restroom I've ever seen. 

*look at little 20 year old Kelley, who was obviously more focused on comfort than fashion this day.

If you get a chance to visit Verona here some sights you can't miss.

Juliet's House - Yes, we all know that Romeo and Juliet is a ficctional story that was created by Shakespeare hundreds of years ago but that doesn't stop thousands and thousands of tourists from visiting the Casa di Giulietta every year. It is a 13th century home that in the 1990's was converted into a museum dedicated to Juliet. For the small price of 4 euros you can enter the house and step out onto the balcony made famous by the words "Romeo o Romeo." Or just visit the courtyard where there is a statue of Juliet and rumor states that if you touch Juliet's left breast it will bring you good luck. You may notice the years of wear that the left breast has versus the right. If you are not feeling romantic and having some troubles in the love department, don't worry. If you send a letter to Juliet's house you will get a personalized letter in response giving you advice. Its reported that they receive over 5000 letters a year.

Lamberti Tower - Wanting to get a better view of Verona? You must make a visit to the Lamberti tower which is located in the heart of Verona. Dating back to the 12th century, the 275 foot structure offers incredible views of the city. On a clear day you can see all the way to Austria. It costs 3 euros to get to the top by elevator or 2 euros to climb the 350+ steps to the top.

Verona Arena - A Roman amphitheater that was built in 30 AD, is even older then the Colosseum in Rome. Located in the Piazza Bra it  is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind. The thing that makes this arena even cooler is that it is still in use. The arena is still used as a site for popular productions of several different operas every year. It has also been the venue for past concerts by various artists including, Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, One Direction and many more.

Take a stroll along the river - Some of my favorite views of the city were along the Adige River. You may even make it to the Ponte Pietra and old Roman Arch Bridge that was completed in 100 B.C A historical note about the bridge, most of it was destroyed in World War II when it was blown up by retreating German troops, but, it was rebuilt in 1957 using original materials. 

Italian food - Exploring all the streets, side streets and alleyways you are sure to find an adorable Italian cafe with outdoors seating and a multitude of wine choices because they are everywhere each one as delightful as the next. So wander around! Get lost! You are sure to find just what you are looking for.

Verona surprised me with how it captured my heart. I hope to make it back one day and spend more time there exploring the city! Maybe even catch the opera at the Arena.

Have you been to Verona, did you love it? Would you add Verona to your European to-do list?