First stop in Florence

After Cinque Terre, it was straight to Florence. I guess Patrick Kennedy was feeling a little too French/Italian because we had to make an Irish pub pit stop first thing. He felt much better afterwards :) 

Cinque Terre...

...might be the most beautiful place I've ever seen.

I've seen so many photos of these towns, but seeing it in real life was really unbelievable. Come with me for a little tour of this Italian gem...

p.s. I saw a big group of American students who were studying abroad from U of I while we were in one town. It took every bone in my body not to yell out, I-L-L!!! Patrick said it was too embarrassing and that no, I can't ask them if they are Thetas either...boo

Town 1: Monterosso al Mare: Leg one of the hike!

We decided to take the easy 'blue' path but on the walk all the markers we kept seeing were red and white...I don't know what that means but I will say that the hike was not exactly 'easy!'

Case in point:

On the first leg of the hike we saw fresh olive trees, grape vines, and lemon trees. No wonder all of the things we ate with those ingredients were so divine! 

Town 2: Vernazza: 2 hours later...we made it!

Sorry that I don't own heinous hiking boots. I might have almost slipped off a cliff a time or two but all in all, those suede boots did just fine!

Towns 3 and 4: Coniglia and Manarola This leg was still pretty damaged from the floods this area suffered in 2011 so we had to take a short train in between Vernazza and Corniglia. I secretly wasn't mad about that at all :)

Via dell'Amore: The lovers walk! Once again, we are on a sappy love walk and loving every minute of it! The path (paved, yes!) has names of famous historical lovers (think Romeo and Juliet) etched into the mountain side and also has love locks. Quite the romantic scenery! 

Town 5: Riomaggiore: Last but not least! We stopped for gelato and white wine in this town and loved it!

Italia Italia Italia

Now it's off to Italy! 

Patrick and I caught a flight to Pisa and then took a little train to a sweet little town called Sestri Levante. It was such a cool experience because this was not your typical tourist town. We felt like we really got a feel for Italy right off the bat. We even ate at the same restaurant two nights in a row because we made friends with the little owner lady. This is also the place where we discovered the Italian meal course system and how it involves several pastas. Ummm, paradise? I think so. 

 Italian breakfast!

The view from our hotel room. I felt like Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin would pop out to serenade me at any moment...

Our favorite little restaurant. The boy is happy :)

Poppin' Bottles

What a trip. Beyond sad it's over, but it's now time for my parents to head to London and for Patrick and I to head to Italy. However, not before we say bon voyage in style! We spent our last night drinking champagne under the sparkly Eiffel Tower and having an amazing dinner at Bouillon Racine. Thanks again for an amazing trip Mom and Dad!

Stay tuned for Italy trip blog posts this week!

Joe Wru*el Does France

Joe Wrube1 loves Amurica. 

However, he loves his daughter more and hence decided to do a big European vacation to visit her. I have to say that he actually did so well and even wore European dress shoes the whole time! Of course though, he did have a few Joe Wrube1-y moments mixed into his French moments. The depiction of which have culminated into the following photo montage which I have so named: 

Joe Wrube1 Does France

Love you Dad :)

JW drinks espresso:

JW finds the only English-speaking restaurant staff in Bayeux: 

JW gets confused by the bidet:

JW wears a beret and perfects his French pout:

JW canoodles on public transportation:

JW explains medieval hydraulic power:

JW eats a baguette while driving a Renault:

JW inspects scaffolding in the art museum: 

JW really embraces his inner Frenchman: 

JW wishes that the U.S. were part of the European Union...okay, maybe that one didn't happen.

Come back any time Joe Wrube1, France loves you.

McBaguette

I pause my trip blogging to announce the newest installment at the French McDonald's chains...the McBaguette. It's a huge hit.

I love France.

Heads Will Roll

Oh, Versailles. The crazy Louis' built this magnificent, opulent, gold encrusted castle. Love it, but no wonder it was off-with-their heads.

Travel tip: Go to Versailles on a nice day. The best part is actually not the castle itself, but the gardens and lakes that surround it. In my opinion, I really don't think you can get the full effect if it's rainy or bad weather. 

Hall of Mirrors 

Love birds in France

It's not ugly

Yes, we rented a golf cart. Laugh now but you wouldn't want to be like all the other fools at the bottom of the hill asking for a ride on the way back up...seeeeee ya!

Pique-nique at Versailles

Louis Vuitton - Marc Jacobs

While in Paris, I had the chance to go to Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs. The permanent fixtures here are very cool, but right now they are also doing an exhibit on Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs and their contributions. It honestly was the best exhibition I have seen in Paris. You really felt like you were inside their minds, which for the Marc Jacobs part is pretty cray. I love, love, loved it. It will be there until September 16th, so anyone with a Paris trip in mind-- Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs is MUST off-the-beaten path stop! 

Here is the official explanation of the exhibit:

This exhibition tells the story of two personalities: Louis Vuitton, founder of the Maison in 1854, and Marc Jacobs, its Artistic Director since 1997. Two innovators, rooted in their respective centuries, advanced an entire industry. Two creators, each in his own language, appropriated cultural codes and trends in order to shape the history of contemporary fashion. Theirs is also a story of French craftsmanship, technological progress, stylistic creation, and artistic collaboration. 

I am the happiest...

Louis Vuitton was actually a trunk maker. There is something so glamorous about an old trunk, especially one that's a Louis. 

Now into Marc Jacob's world...

I spot a honey badger...

The only reason Patrick wasn't mad at me for going to the fashion exhibit was because there was a peep show inside....eaaasssssy PK

The Griswold family in Paris!

Okay, so we weren't quite as bumbly as the Griswolds, but man that movie is a classic :)

National Lampoon's European Vacation

At any rate, here are some more highlights as Mom, Dad, Patrick and I ate, drank and museum-ed our way around Paris. Such a good time!

Never gets old...

At Centre Pompidou to see the new Matisse exhibit. It was realllllly well done. Highly recommend it: Matisse at Centre Pompidou

A beautiful shot courtesy of Patrick's sick new camera

Top of Centre Pompidou after an afternoon of modern art appreciation

Entrecote for steak frites...Patrick's one request in Paris :)