Hello again! I'm back on American soil after the most fantastic adventure. I could spend weeks discussing each of the five cities I visited in great detail but seeing as I leave for college at the end of the month and the amount of preparation that still needs to be done is slightly horrifying, I decided lengthy posts would not suffice. Instead, I've created a new post layout that will allow me to get every single European blog up before I pack my bags for Chicagoland on the 24th! So without further ado, I'd like to welcome you to my Travel Diary! First stop, Rome!
Day 1
Our first day in Rome got off to a rough start. The combination of the 100 degree heat and the lack of food, water, and sleep I got on the flight over left me feeling slightly dizzy and very sick as we waited in St Peters Square first thing in the morning to see Pope Francis (still one of the coolest moments ever even though I was sitting on the ground, chugging water a very kind stranger gave us). However, after a great nap (which would prove to be not so great as I lay awake, jetlagged out of my mind, at 2 am for the next five nights) my mom and I set out to explore our local surroundings!
If you look close enough, you can see the Pope!!!
Looking out over our brand new stomping grounds.
How sweet is the little gelato shop just down the block from our hotel?
The first of many amazing dinners with my Mom,
Day 2
My mom and I spent the morning of our first day exploring and shopping (two of our favorite activities) then met up with the tour group we'd be spending the next 10 days with for dinner! While dinner was a ton of fun, The highlight of my day (maybe even entire trip) was when I wandered into the Valentino store. The sales associate could probably sense the awe in my eyes and showed me around the store, explaining the inspiration behind each segment of the collection and the techniques used for the ready to wear and couture, letting me touch and examine the stitching and world renowned embroidery up close. As I was leaving, she handed me the red Valentino shopping bag filled with four catalogues of the house's recent collections. Its safe to say I was in Heaven!
Roman streets with all their ivy just about killed me! Each corner was more beautiful than the next!
Dress: Loft Outlet Shoes: Nike Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (Nordstrom Rack find!)
The most amazing spaghetti I've ever tasted!
Two basic blogger favs in one picture: marble backgrounds and Valentino!
My first encounter with banana flavored gelato. After this cone, I had about 9 others throughout my time in Italy!
My look for our group dinner. Shirt: Gap Factory Skirt: Zara (purchased in Rome that morning) Bag: Longchamp Shoes: Birkenstock
Day 3
Our third day in Rome was mostly spent with the tour group enjoying your typical Roman tourist traps, The Vatican and the Coliseum and Roman Forum. A fantastic thing about being on a group tour is that we never waited in a single line. A not so fantastic thing about being on a group tour are the wake up call times. I rocked sunglasses and second-day hair on my final day in Rome because I don't do 5:30am very well.
This view of the dome of St Peter's Basilica took my breath away. Even more breathtaking was the fabled ceiling of the Sistine Chapel but there is a strict no picture rule in place in order to preserve Michelangelo's beautiful frescos.
Bare shoulders and knees are not permitted in the Vatican I wore this ensemble in the morning and slipped on shorts before our Coliseum tour. Shirt: Hollister Skirt: American Eagle Shoes: Birkenstock
Shorts: American Eagle Bag: Longchamp
I am in no sense a history person, but seeing the Coliseum and the Forum was one of my favorite parts of the trip.
Spotted some Chiara Ferragni's in the Eternal City.
To be honest, I wasn't expecting Rome to be one of my favorite destinations. But looking back on the trip, some of my favorite memories are from Rome. The ancient streets, the historic monuments, the designer boutiques, and of course the gelato stole my heart! I would absolutely go back in a heartbeat!
That being said, the first of my travel diaries comes to a close. Check back later to read all about Venice and Florence!
Xo.
-Kate
That being said, the first of my travel diaries comes to a close. Check back later to read all about Venice and Florence!
Xo.
-Kate