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Courtney & Aaron Go To Europe!

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PARIS

We took off at 6:30PM. There was a lot of chatter on my facebook about my sleeping mask looking like a bra. I’m here to set the record straight, it’s not a bra, but it sure could function as one, ha! If you ever see one like it, I highly recommend getting one; I was out like a lamp the entire flight.

After we landed at 8AM we hit the ground running. First stop, the best breakfast I’ve ever had. I mean seriously… look at those eggs!!

Next up the Louvre Museum. Look at Mona- pretty great right? If you look at the bottom of the picture it’s interesting to see all of us lined up to take her picture. What are your thoughts on her smirk?! My favorite exhibit was the Napoleon Apartments. If you ever wondering how tall he was, his bed was the shortest length bed I’ve ever seen. He must have been a little guy ;-)

Later that evening we took a Sunset Cruise on the Seine River. So many sights to see! The big finale was going up the Eiffel Tower (third level was so scary!) to sip on Champs and take in views of the incredible city on a gorgeous night.

Here are a few snapshots of our Segway Travels, Notre Dame, and Arch de Triomphe.

BARCELONA

Barcelona was everything… What a great city! This city was so eclectic, lively, and beyond delicious. Barcelona quickly jumped up to my favorites list because of the culture and incredible views. If you ever visit, you have to go to the Magic Fountains in front of the National Museum of Art. You can sing a long to the likes of Whitney and Mariah in a judgment free zone, all while enjoying a fancy light and fountain show. The Climb up to the Museum is well worth the hike, the view at night is breathtaking.

When we were planning our trip back in March, a 10-mile bike ride didn’t seem so bad. On the day of the bike ride there were times I struggled, but in the end it was so worth it because we saw so much of the city. Here are a few of my favorite places.

Ciutadella Park, Barcelona’s Retired Bull Fighting Ring (Thank goodness!)

Sagrada Familia- It’s my opinion that when talking about faith there’s a time and place. As someone who believes in the Lord and in Heaven, I have to encourage all of you to go visit this site. Barcelona broke ground on this church back in 1882 and they are looking forward to finishing it around 2026.

An incredible architect named Antoni Gaudi devoted his life to the construction of this church. When you walk in and feel the presence that this place has to offer, it’s hard not to believe in a higher power. My favorite piece of knowledge that I learned was that when this church is completed it will be one meter lower than the highest mountain in Barcelona. Gaudi did this on purpose because he wanted to build a place of worship that would be close to the lord, but not out-do his (the Lord’s) work. My audio guide said that when Gaudi took over the original project back in the 1880’s, their team quickly realized that this project could take up to 200 years to complete. Gaudi didn’t seem to mind telling his team that his client, meaning the Lord, had no timeline. Gaudi built Sagrada Familia for the Lord and boy does it show

PAMPLONA

I feel like the book “The Sun Also Rises” gave me my passion to read. I have always dreamed of visiting the place where Hemingway got his inspiration. Pamplona is like Old World Spain meets Wine Country. IT’S GORGEOUS! Aaron and Ryan ended up running with the bulls, and good news… they survived!

LISBON, SINTRA, CABO De ROCA, MONTSERRAT and CASCAIS, PORTUGAL

Portugal was the one country I didn’t see coming. First of all, the people couldn’t be any more kind. We had some of the best conversations of the entire trip with the locals of Portugal. Portugal is a place I have to go back to. It’s Spain meets San Francisco and if you love sweets, this is place to visit.