Denmark and Sweden. #CantStopWontStop

We have landed!

        So after a short 3 day "break," back in Leuven, Chloe and I packed our bags again and hopped on a flight to Copenhagen, Denmark. I had heard wonderful things about this city, and I wanted to see them for myself! I was very excited because Hans Christian Anderson is from Copenhagen, and I am all about a magical setting!  #DisneyLover

The Little Mermaid and I!
(Or the Den lille havfrue, as it is in Danish)

There was just a wonder feel of fantasy as you walked around the city. There were so many statues of fairies, and so many beautiful flowers in bloom. I really had a smile on my face the whole weekend.

Just magical!

Pit stop at the Carlsberg Brewery? I think yes. 

We had a jam-packed day, so after the brewery we headed over to the Tivoli Gardens, or how many locals call it "The Disneyland of Denmark."

There I am outside of the Tivoli Gardens!

So we stayed with my friend Julie, who is spending the semester in Copenhagen. She was off traveling for most of the weekend, but she let us know that Sweden was only a 30 minute train-ride away...so we had to make a day-trip! Did you know that Sweden is where IKEA and H&M all started? Those Swedish don't mess around!

Having some fun outside an authentic Swedish IKEA!

Swedish meatballs? Yes, please.

Oh look! H & M!

Malmo, Sweden

So many lovely flowers!

Back to the airport for a cozy night to catch our 6am flight back to Brussels!

           Denmark and Sweden were absolutely wonderful! Chloe and I had a great weekend, but the time had come for us to head home. This is even meant to be taken literally for me, because I am heading back to the states for 10 days to attend my favorite 8 year olds communion! Can't wait to see the fam!

You want a PISA me?

        So after DH and Sue headed back to Belgium, Chloe, Cait, Nicole, Steve, Annie & I headed to the Amalfi Coast. We were going to be staying in Sorrento for a few nights to see the coastal side of Italy. We decided to make a pit-stop in Pisa to snap some photos with the leaning tower...

      I think the most enjoyable part of the day at Pisa was watching everyone attempt to take the perfect 'leaning tower,' picture...

Cait and I helping straighten some things out...

         

#LOLZ.

           After a long day of posing, we had a long night ahead of us. We had to stay in Pisa until 2 am to catch our train to Naples. It was a bit of a rough night, we learned Pisa isn't the nicest area. Also, being a huge group of young American girls, we weren't feeling too comfortable in the train station with copious amounts of creepy men in the wee hours of the morning, so we took refuge in a nearby bar to stay safe. The train ride itself presented an even more uncomfortable night, being all separated riding throughout the night on a 7-hour train...but the important thing is we all made it to Sorrento safe and sound. Now, onto the beauty of the coast!

The gorgeous view from our room!

Chloe & I stayed at a cozy bed and breakfast in Sorrento.
These are our wonderful hosts, Luigi and Hugo.
It was such a great place and the people were wonderful, they really treated us like family.

Our first full day there, the weather was BEAUTIFUL! 

So we took advantage and took the ferry over to the island of Capri.

No, this is not a postcard--I actually took this picture.
WOW.

I couldn't miss out on the opportunity to swim in some clear blue water,
no matter how rocky or chilly it was! There is nothing like it...

The next few days were a little rainy, so we decided to explore the ruins of Pompeii....

Annie, Cait, Nicole & I in the ruins.

Seeing things like this really put the whole site in perspective. 

       After spending the rainy day in Pompeii, we took the metro into Naples for lunch...

This is the same pizza Julia Roberts ate in Eat, Pray, Love.
If its good enough for Julia, its good enough for me!

They were so nice and welcoming to us,
I'm always up for making new friends!

Lemons were huge in Sorrento, literally. 

           The next day we took a bus to Amalfi and Positano. The weather was less than pleasant, but we made it work. It was scary taking the huge bus around the tight turns of the narrow roads on the mountains, but I suppose that just added to the experience!

Rough waters in Amalfi.
Never underestimate the power of the ocean!

        After an incredible 2 1/2 weeks in Italy, it was time to head back to Belgium. Seven trains, 2 buses, and 25 hours later, we were safely back in Leuven! 

Our humble abode... Train #5--Munich to Koln here we go!!

                                       Now time to rest! 

            JK LOL I'm going to Copenhagen in 3 days! Ciao for now!

Rome-ing Around Firenze-- Loyola Style.

              I have done quite a bit of traveling this semester, and it didn't stop until I journeyed to Italy! We had a 10-day Loyola trip to Rome and Florence where we hit every museum you could think of! I saw soooo many amazing things that I had only read about in textbooks, and I was lucky enough to see them in person!

             The trip started in Rome, where we walked to the Vatican to enjoy Palm Sunday mass with Pope Benedict. It was UNREAL, there were so many people and we were fortunate enough to have tickets. It was a beautiful day and we sat through the mass (struggling at times because it was mostly in Italian) mesmerized by the reality of our lives...I was just feet away from the most important living human being in the Catholic church.

Palm Sunday Mass with Pope Benedict. 

Tissy, Maeda, & I at the Forum.

The Leuven crew in front of the Coliseum. 

           We had most of our 6 days in Rome scheduled for us, which I didn't hate because we were able to see so much. I am going out a limb and saying Rome is potentially one of my favorite cities I have seen all year, and that says a LOT. It is so beautiful and I am in awe when I think of the great sights like the Coliseum, the Forum, and the gorgeous Trevi Fountain right in the middle of a bustling city---what's not to love? Plus, on my morning runs I ran to the Vatican...I mean, who DOES that? Oh wait, me. I have to keep pinching myself because this doesn't feel like real life!

      We also got to tour the scavi under St. Peter's Church and got up close and personal with the Sistene Chapel....casual.



 Oh yeah, and there was plenty of pizza and gelato to go around...

My first gelato in Italy...and it was fabulicious.

Soooo much pizza. It did not come in pies at "grab 'n go," places....
they actually had scissors and would cut the size of the piece you wanted.

Candy & I at the beach a train ride away from Romaaaa.

We took a day trip to Ostia Antica, an ancient ruin that was really awesome to tour. We were able to see the baths, as well as the cafe's and homes that used to be a home for so many. It was similar to the ruins of Pompeii...but don't worry, I went there too (just wait and see!).

Amazing mosaic wall at Ostia.

         After a FABULOUS stay in Rome, we hopped on a bus to Firenze (a.k.a. Florence). The Duomo, Michelangelo's David, and the gigantic leather markets all made the list of spots to hit while in Florence.

Cait, Katie, Nicole & I enjoying some authentic Italian cuisine in Florence.

Steffi, Candy, & I in Florence. 

We spent Easter Sunday in Florence and there was a spectacular fireworks display in front of the Duomo. I am talking fireworks that would not be allowed in the U.S. because it seemed a little out of control, but than again, it was unlike anything I had ever seen. In the evening we went out to dinner with the entire Loyola Leuven program to celebrate.

Its raining fire? I tried to upload a video, but there were technical difficulties...
so the photo will have to suffice.

          One of my favorite days in Florence was our wine tour of Tuscany. It was beautiful to see the country side and I really did learn so much about wine! I'm so sophisticated now....well, at least I can fake it 'til I make it. 

Your regular day at the vineyard...
We learned how to taste wine properly, as well as all the different kinds and ingredients.
Now lets just hope I can remember it all! 

Our last time all together to end off the Loyola-Italy trip!
So many great times!

Now just because DH and Sue were leaving Italy.....it doesn't mean that I am!