As I'm in Geneva right now, waiting to fly back to the US early tomorrow, I figured I'd finally update about my Europe trip this past September.
I first arrived in Kiev for a week, where I spent some quality time at the summer house (aka one of my favorite places in the world).
Then, my cousin, uncle, and aunt-to-be flew to Italy where their wedding was to be held. We spent the first night in Genoa, and then settled in our villa in the cute little town of Portofino. Our villa was situated in a picturesque part overlooking the sea and Portofino. However, this meant that to get to it, we had to climb up a hill for 20 minutes. We did have our own swimming access, which was wonderful and scared me really badly due to sketchy-ness of the stairs connecting the dock-part to the steps up to the villa.
The wedding was in a cute little church, only accessible by boat. The reception was extravagant and went late, late, late into the night.
On the last day, my mom and I traveled to Cinque Terre. Because we got a late start on the day (due to aforementioned reception), we only made it to two of the towns (Monterosso & Riomaggiore), but they were amazing! We heard lots of good things about Vernazza and were meaning to see that on the way back but due to train schedules, it was just impossible. Next time!
Finally, my parents and I traveled to Moscow, where I spent some more quality time at another summer house. This one was recently remodeled and was just so awesome. It now has a shower that plays the radio! My parents and I also went into the city and once again, I was overwhelmed with how Americanized everything has become in large European cities. We saw lots of American restaurants -- even a Krispy Kreme. Even here in Geneva, there is Starbucks and McDonalds on every corner. I even saw a Pain Quotidien today!
I first arrived in Kiev for a week, where I spent some quality time at the summer house (aka one of my favorite places in the world).
Then, my cousin, uncle, and aunt-to-be flew to Italy where their wedding was to be held. We spent the first night in Genoa, and then settled in our villa in the cute little town of Portofino. Our villa was situated in a picturesque part overlooking the sea and Portofino. However, this meant that to get to it, we had to climb up a hill for 20 minutes. We did have our own swimming access, which was wonderful and scared me really badly due to sketchy-ness of the stairs connecting the dock-part to the steps up to the villa.
Genoa was beautiful port city which had very Italian streets. Nate, my brother, uncle, and cousin posing in the street.
View from the dock of the villa and the rickety stairs I was really scared of. Nate, my brother and cousin making fun of me at the bottom.
View of the town of Portofino from a villa (not the one we were staying at) at the top.
The wedding was in a cute little church, only accessible by boat. The reception was extravagant and went late, late, late into the night.
On the last day, my mom and I traveled to Cinque Terre. Because we got a late start on the day (due to aforementioned reception), we only made it to two of the towns (Monterosso & Riomaggiore), but they were amazing! We heard lots of good things about Vernazza and were meaning to see that on the way back but due to train schedules, it was just impossible. Next time!
Nice map stolen from Wikitravel that shows the five towns.
The two towns we did make it to. So cute! The second had so many stairs!!
Finally, my parents and I traveled to Moscow, where I spent some more quality time at another summer house. This one was recently remodeled and was just so awesome. It now has a shower that plays the radio! My parents and I also went into the city and once again, I was overwhelmed with how Americanized everything has become in large European cities. We saw lots of American restaurants -- even a Krispy Kreme. Even here in Geneva, there is Starbucks and McDonalds on every corner. I even saw a Pain Quotidien today!
Remodeled summer house -- once built by my great, great, great grandfather.
So lovely!
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