Next weekend we're meeting up with Nicole in Seville, Spain! Our original plan was to go to the Basque Region in Spain, but after all the cold we've been experiencing we decided we'd trade rainy northern Spain for sunny Southern Spain.
Next month we're meeting Megan + her boyfriend, Stephen, in Edinburgh! I can't wait to see the castle and get to know them over a few pints! We're also going to take a day trip out to St. Andrews, which I've heard is breathtakingly beautiful.
In April my mom is coming to visit for TWO WEEKS. Oh my gosh, I am soooo excited!!! We're going to spend the long Easter weekend in Barcelona. Perfection.
In May the huz turns the big 3-0 so I wanted to take him somewhere extra special. We will be jetting off to one of our dream destinations: The Amalfi Coast! We'll be staying in a quaint Italian B&B right in the edge of the cliffs and will enjoy the magnificent view from our own private balcony.
In June.. I can hardly get the words out I am THAT excited.. we're heading to SANTORINI for an entire week!! That'll be our longest trip to date! The goal here is pure relaxation. No crazy sightseeing or walking until our feet blister. We splurged on our hotel as this is our ultimate dream European destination. Our room has a giant private balcony complete with loungers and a jacuzzi tub! {special thanks to Ashlee for the recommendation!}.
I'd LOVE any recommendations you have for these cities. Especially restaurants or any unique/off-the-beaten path shops or sights :)
Linking up with Ellen at Company of Clever!
i am green with envy. i can't wait for you to go and tell us all the amazing sights to see and places to eat!
ReplyDeleteI visited the amalfi coast a few years ago nd it was absolutely amazing--totally breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to do and see including Pompeii, Herculanium, Capri, walking up Vesuvius and generally just taking in the scenery and enjoying some great food and wine.
You are going to have such an amazing time--I am so excited for you!
This is such a cool post! Love the images/text. Can't wait to live vicariously through your travels and get some ideas for our next big trip.
ReplyDeletesounds absoltely wonderful! my fiance and i went to barcelona last september and we LOVED the bike tour we took :) defiantly make it to gaudi park, and the beach! xo
ReplyDeleteI am simeltaneously so happy for you guys and also SO JEALOUS. I can't wait to live vicariously through all of your continued travels!
ReplyDeleteI lived in Spain for 6 months in HS!!! BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!! Besides having babies, of course. It was seriously incredible. Before I had kids, I was trying to get duel citizenship over there. Gosh, I miss it so much, Have an amazing time! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteahhh, hey world travelers! this is the best travel plan ever. i can just picture aaaall the stories you're going to love telling someday!! you should have photo books made of your european lifestyle one day to adorn your coffee table and show how cool you are!
ReplyDeleteHi -- I just discovered your blog. So awesome!! I'd love to travel to Amsterdam someday, so thanks for the virtual vacation. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen you visit the Almalfi Coast you must must must go to Santorini.
ReplyDeleteI've been to all of those cities (minus the Amalfi coast) and you are in for SUCH a treat. While in Barcelona, try the tapas in the Merct de Sant Josep market off the Rambla...you'll have to fight for a seat but it's worth it! And definitely rent a four-wheeler in Santorini. You can drive all around the island and it is so fun and beautiful you'll want to cry. My husband and I had the best day ever there. Safe travels! xo
ReplyDeleteA great hotel in Santorini is KEY as it's a pretty low-key quiet island. Looking forward to following your travels, I've done Santorini and Barcelona, and the Amalfi Coast and Seville are next up on our must-see list.
ReplyDeleteAhhh so jealous of all your travels!! Especially the Amalfi Coast and Santorini, my two favorite places ever!!
ReplyDeleteYour trips sound amazing! Found you from Sarah over at Fairy Tales are true. Exicted for her guest post for you AND your upcoming trip with the wonderful Megan!!
ReplyDeleteWe just booked our trip to Spain - we'll be in Barcelona 2 weeks after you and will be traveling the country for 2 weeks. I'll look forward to your recommendations :)
ReplyDeleteI studied abroad in Seville and loved it! You have to try lots of Andalucian food - tortilla, olives, jamon serrano, manchego cheese. Must see the Alcazar and for nightlife Calle Alfalfa!
ReplyDeletei was gonna say that edinburgh is going to be the BEST trip...but then you put up santorini, and not gonna lie, that is even better than me..which is saying A LOT because i am pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteI just...I have no words for how jealous I am right now.
ReplyDeleteI love Europe. :)
I am beyond jealous!
ReplyDeleteAre you guys staying in Positano?! My husband and I spent the majority of our honeymoon there at Casa Cuccaro up on the cliffs in Nocelle, and it was breathtaking. If you're staying in Positano, you MUST go to La Tagliata Fattoria (http://www.latagliata.com/). It's easily the best meal I have ever had, true "family style" (uhmm... eight appetizers. eight.), and worth every penny. Restaurant staff will even taxi you - for free - too and from your hotel!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you're making it down to Spain! Here are my suggestions for Sevilla: http://www.christineinspain.com/search/sevilla and for Barcelona: http://www.christineinspain.com/post/1254953618/barcelona-bohemian-grandeur and http://www.christineinspain.com/post/1262809898/barcelona-bohemian-grandeur-pt-ii
ReplyDelete¡Qué disfrutes!
Let me know if you have any Q's!
Liz,
ReplyDeleteI am beyond jealous that you are heading to the beautiful Sevilla. I studied abroad there for a semester and fell in love. I have no doubt that you two will too.
Try out a bar called Cien Montaditos - there is one on Constitución (same street as Cathedral) and across from La Universidad de Sevilla (C/San Fernando- perpendicular to Constitución). They have cheap tapas and $1 jarras of tinto de verano and beer on Wednesdays.
Enjoy the beautiful sunshine of Sevilla! You can also check out the blog I kept while studying abroad: sevillalamaravillakp.blogspot.com.
Happy traveling!!!
-Kristina
Santorini is absolutley breathtaking. I literally cried as I approched my first viewpoint after getting off the ferry. I have never, ever seen anything remotely as beautiful as those waters against the white buildings. I blogged about my 2 week vacation to Greece here: http://mandeepearson.blogspot.com/2010/05/greece.html
ReplyDeleteso you can see some of my favorites!
so jealous of your upcoming travels, sounds amazing! we lived in edinburgh when my husband was interning with the parliament and i would move back in a heartbeat! i'm sure you'll see stuff on the royal mile, bene's fish and chips near the bottom of the royal mile was my favorite place for chips. i don't know how much time you'll have outside of edinburgh and st. andrews, but inverie was my most favorite place - you should check it out if you have time!
ReplyDeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteYour travel plans sound amazing!
Where are you staying in Greece? My husband and I are headed there in September and still need to book our hotel. Yours sounds amazzzzing!!
Enjoy your travels!!
OH my goodness, I'm super jealous...these are all places I want to go!! I cannot wait to see your photos and follow your travels over the next few months, I know you'll have a blast!! Thanks for sharing! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIn other news, my hubby and I are heading from Lake Tahoe to Portland tonight for the long weekend to visit his family...not quite Europe, but I'm excited to eat some good food and drink some good beer! :)
Liz, I am so excited for you! You are living my dream life!! Can't wait to hear about all of your fun adventures!
ReplyDeleteI love your goal of one new place per month! I visited Spain a little over a year ago. LOVED IT! Granada is AMAZING! if you get a chance, go. Also, don't forget about the tapas. I still dream of tapas! Have funnnn!
ReplyDeleteGoing to Barcelona March 24 - April 3. Would LOVE to hear if you have any hotel/eat/see recommendations! We're also exploring outside of Barcelona a bit and so far have the Dali museum on our list. Anything else you've heard of that is worth a day or overnight trip? I'm still struggling with finding a charming hotel in Barcelona...
ReplyDeleteSantorini looks AMAZING! what an exciting adventure you get to have living abroad! Such a blessing!
ReplyDeleteI loved St. Andrews. I visited my little cousin there last year when she was studying abroad. We ate at the italian restaurant a couple of times. There's only one, so it should be easy to find. The decor is so cute-candlelight tables with a wood wall & the best bolognese I've ever had. I love this blog...even if you make me miss my old life (in England) all the time!
ReplyDeleteok ok i am basically dyyyyying. i can't even wait. not for two seconds.
ReplyDeleteLiz, I am infinitely jealous and yet much more excited for you! I'm so glad you're meeting Megan! Two of my favorite bloggers, and you're both so funny that I hope I'll be able to read about it. I'm going to Barcelona in May, sooo I may just end up bombarding you with questions when you come back from that trip. And I've heard Santorini is absolutely gorgeous. I had a friend bring back pictures from there and she said it was one of the greatest cities she had ever spent time in. I hope you enjoy it just as much! And have fun in all those trips! =]
ReplyDeleteSo jealous of your adventures! I loved Seville when I visited in 2001 during my study abroad trip. Have a great time!
ReplyDeleteA dream list
ReplyDeleteoh geeez, you lucky lady! I cannot even express how jealous/ happy i am! Cant wait for those posts :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Oh my gosh.....I am SO jealous! Thank goodness I found your blog and can follow along on these trips! I've never even heard of the Amalfi coast, but I just added it to my travel to-do list!
ReplyDelete~Tiffany
http://tiffanyd22.blogspot.com
These all sound so exciting and I can't wait to follow along! I was in Edinburgh and St. Andrews last April, my first ever solo trip, and Scotland is really so AMAZING. Absolutely beautiful. Edinburgh is super easy to navigate and the people are awesome, the friendliest nationality I've met thus far! And St. Andrews is breathtakingly beautiful. Make it out to the Old Course-there is so much history there. If you go to the clubhouse bar (I think it's on the 3rd floor)right before sunset for a few glasses of vino you will have one of those "Life is so beautiful" moments...you know the one :) And the Old cemetery in St. Andrews is really dreamy, I was there on a perfect day and had a blast taking pictures and and exploring. Students were even studying on the lawn there. In Edinburgh, the Museum of Childhood is really quaint, and at free admission it's a fun 20 minute walk through. Really just walking up and down the Royal Mile is fun. I have a few Scotland posts on my blog with pictures and explanations if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteAside from my undying love for Scotland...Almafi Coast and Santorini...yes please. Those sound like amazing adventures to be had!
I'm so jealous! I actually just got back from Seville last month and it was gorgeous! I would recommend seeing the cathedral of saint mary (you can't miss it!) and paying the small fee to tour inside and climb the tower! the views are breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteWhen you're in barcelona you can't miss Gaudi's work. go to la sagrada familia and climb to the top! that was one of my favorite moments while i was there. Park Guell is awesome too. and Las Ramblas for some entertainment and shopping! Oh, i could go on and on :)
xo
Erica
I wish I was you sooo bad. I really wanted to go to scotland, but never made it. Barcelona was amazing.. I spent a week there in 2008 when I lived in France.
ReplyDeleteall of these destinations are DREAMY! enjoy!
ReplyDeletea. and i actually lived in edinburgh for a year... it's one of the most amazing cities in europe.
here are all of our favourites...
http://www.robyn-thompson.com/2009/08/31/edinburgh/
someone got bit by a travel bug! I CANNOT wait to see all the pictures and hear all the stories!
ReplyDeletethat is one incredible list!!! i just moved to australia, but i am already jealous reading about all the wonderful places you will see... and they are all so close :)
ReplyDeletei am great you will have a incredible time! looking forward to see everything through your lens :)
wow -you are going to some fantastic places-iLOVE edinburgh and try to catch some of the Fringe every year-but I would have to put Barcelona at the top of your list.lucky lady!
ReplyDeleteEdinburgh and St Andrews are two of the most gorgeous places on earth! Enjoy them - i'm sure you will x
ReplyDeleteyou're going to look back on this time and be SO happy you lived in europe and got to travel before having kiddos. :) i'm jealous! miss you lots lizard.
ReplyDeleteWe are two expat Americans living in Aberdeen, Scotland and have been to Edinburgh lots! For breakfast we love http://www.alwayssunday.co.uk/ and for dinner http://www.thekitchin.com/kitchin/home. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteIn Edinburgh, just off the Royal Mile near the Cathedral, there is a little cafe called Chocolate Soup. The hot chocolate there is to die for! I definitely recommend stopping there!
ReplyDeletewhat an AMAZING list of cities!! you are going to have the trip(s) of a lifetime!! we are headed to the amalfi coast in june -- where are y'all staying?? yay liz!! so excited for yall!!
ReplyDeleteI spent four months on a semester abroad in Sevilla! You just have to go to Cien Montaditos for some Tinto and 1 euro sandwiches :)
ReplyDeleteFor the best (and free!) flamenca dancing, go to La Carboneria. Great music and authentic dancers. It's a little tricky to find, but people are everywhere in the street and can give you directions, no problem.
Loving your adventures!
aghhhhh. the travel bug is biting me bad! goodness. we are doing a few trips in the good ol' US of A this summer, and maybe visiting family in Europe the following year and then Brazil after that. I can't.wait. Getting so antsy for planes, trains, and automobiles! xoxo
ReplyDeleteyay!! can't wait to see you!
ReplyDeleteand oh my gosh lucky duck look at those amazing summer trips!!
Barcelona is definitely worth seeing! and Santorini is my dream destination:)
ReplyDeleteLife and travelling
Cooking
OH my gosh, you have the best travel year ever coming up!! I'm dying to go to the Amalfi Coast and Santorini.
ReplyDeleteLiz, thanks SO MUCH for joining my link-up, you're the best! Such an inspiring post too. I just got back from Madrid and after reading about your upcoming adventures, I am ready to jet off again!!
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong, but if our dogs get along...I think I see a weekend road trip in our future...I'm thinking a cute Germany or French town?
xxoo
All those trips sound amazing!! Just a little bit jealous. haha. Barcelona is a beautiful city, but Santorini is definitely one of my most memorable trips. When I went it was in December, but luckily we had great weather. The island is quite small, we ended up renting four wheelers and rode around the entire island. It was pretty awesome. I was there when the island was practically deserted so I have no idea about how it will be in the summer. You will love it though. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so blessed to experience the world with the love of your life :) safe travels! You can make any place feel special or fun with someone you love. XO
ReplyDeleteVery pleased to report our top notch experience with Spain tours. We had to scamble to find a tour to Spain on New Years Eve when our original tour operator cancelled trip. We then found www.privatetoursinistanbul.com online. They were very responsive in emails to arrange a substitute plan for us to have a private guide/driver who picked us up at our hotel, gave us a brief overview of Madrid as we drove to Spain, and then an excellent tour of Toledo. He made several stops with us, tailored to our interests, took us to a few spots typical tour bus would not go to. Excellent and less expensive than some our private tours we and our hotel concierge had found.
ReplyDeletegreat list! Edinburgh and the Amalfi Coast are high on my list as well! Can't wait to follow along with your adventures. I was on Santorini for a day last spring and would love to go back. The caldera is amazing and all those stairs are breathtaking (literally).
ReplyDeleteIf you get the chance, two more cities to add to your list:
ReplyDeleteAlgarve, Portugal and Gargano, Italy