European Lady of Leisure

This post is for me.  I'm going to Europe shortly for two weeks with one of my childhood best babes and I want to know where to go, what to see, what to do, what to eat/drink!  

Here's the route:

Paris, Monaco/Monte Carlo, Nice, Naples, Almafi Coast, Capri, Rome

Now let me tell you about my travel style:

• Low Key: I'm packing a carry on and that's it!  
• Foodie (And Wino): I love to eat and I love me some good wines.  But I'm a simple gal.  I don't need 5-star dining.  I want to eat and drink local and really prefer the places that have history.
• Adventurer: I love to be outdoors and adventure.  I want to hike and wine taste, enjoy the beach - everything! 
• Culture Seeker: I love to learn about the culture and people wherever I go.  I'm not a fancy resort stay on the tour type of girl.  

Alright my sequins, give me your best advice on what to do and not do and what's worth the money versus what's not!

This is my first big adult adventure into Europe so I'm looking forward to the journey and culture it's going to provide.

And may I say, if you ever get the opportunity to travel with your best friend(s) to a new place - take it.  Sure, Cabo and Vegas are lovely, but we are grown now.  Get out and explore the world and learn about places that you know nothing about.  Being cultured is how we learn to appreciate and value each other a whole lot more.  Save your money and spend in on the experiences that shape you.

The Briefest of Introductions

The first 21 years of my life were spent within an hour radius of where I was born and raised.  Outside of a brief year and a half spent 5 hours away (and doing a lot of partying and irresponsible activities, sorry Grandma!) - I never left the bubble that raised me.  

I had your standard suburban life.  The two parents, 2 kids and a dog.  My family has always been incredibly close and while we are far from perfect, I was always provided for.  We are overachievers and we are fiercely loyal to our own. I'm also lucky enough to have grown up within an hour of most of my extended family.  The bubble that raised me.

In December of 2012 I took a leap of faith and moved 1,000 miles away to a city where I had never been, knew not a soul, and that had drastically different climate than I was used to.  Snow is cute and all - until there's a white out and your car is in four feet of snow and you bought the small ice scraper at Home Depot.  I digress - it was this move that defined who I am today.  The confidence that making that move gave me has completely changed who I am. I'm no longer the girl who never left her bubble, I'm the girl who takes risks, who speaks her mind, who believes in dreams coming true.  Since that move I've lived in two other cities far from home and each time I gain more confidence and grow more than I ever thought possible.  Because of that move I'm a fighter, a survivor and a woman who gets shit done.

I've gone through a lot in these 30 glorious years of life - but I'm thankful for the experiences that define me.  Just know I'm a badass, sparkling, adventurous, loving, loyal to the core, always laughing, sometimes swearing (usually at the 49ers) lady of leisure. 

So where am I today?  Today, I'm between adventures.  My next move? Hopefully back to where it all began.  Buckle up, it's about to get exciting (and probably a little weird).

...To be Continued...