Snazzy Adventures

ADVENTURES! TRAVEL! In both situations we're constantly learning, so let's do this thing.

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Got a cool view flying over the alps on the way back!! :D

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So Italy it's time to say goodbye. I'm all truthfulness I'm relived. I know I should feel great fun I'm been given the chance to travel this way and do this things, and I am, but I think overall negativity won this trip. The whole year even when I had some bad experiences the good stuff always beat it out and I'll say that for Italy too. But after this trip I definitely have a pretty negative view of you as a whole Italy.... Granted I've only seen three of your cities so maybe it's unfair to judge, but I'm glad to be done with you and to instead be heading back home to France. I hope in the future I can come back and visit you and maybe form a more positive view, but for now you're going in my "not so great" book. Thanks for everything. I know I sound a bit spoiled and winey, but that's the truth of it. You win some you lose some. Paris I'm coming back to you now~

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Last day in Venice!!! I took a day trip to their cute little island Burano and also Murano!! Burano is know as being a super colorful and cute fishing village! It was great! I loved it! They essentially had every color of the rainbow represented in the houses their! Legend has it they mostly painted them that color so they wouldn't get lost when coming home (now of course it's illegal to paint them any other color, haha.) Great day though! I also went into Doge's Palace, which is basically the Versailles of Venice. Very over the top old money/gold everywhere court house! We even got to walk through the prison! Super cool! The Basilica they have here is also impressive as it's also all made of gold tiles... Let's of gold, haha. Anyway, it's been great and I did buy myself that glass fox figurine! I was inspired because Murano (the other island) is the glass island and we got to watch a bunch of demonstrations of them making the figures! It was so cool!! I watched them make a glass horse and knew I have to buy something... Haha. Waited until I got back to the Venice islands though cause on Murano the same stuff is 10x more expensive... Excited to head back to Paris!! I already miss it so much! I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to say goodbye to that city.... Cry probably...

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Currently being abroad it's pretty intense to hear of all the things that are happening... I'm a part of travel group for young women online and unfortunately a member of that group was killed in the most current attack in London. I feel perfectly safe, but all of these attacks are so saddening and obviously have a huge terrible impact. It makes me feel a bit better sharing a video like this. It was created during the celebration of Ramadan to combat terrorism. My professor shared online with me and it and it made me feel happy. Hopefully everyone else feels the same. It's important to remember that one person doesn't represent a group and love will always be more powerful than hate! The video is worth a watch! ❤️

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Just incase you wanted to see more photos of canals.... Cause they're really cool so... Also side note! Since Italy is famous for glass (I'm making a trip out to the special glass island on the 6th!) I bought myself a little glass bumble bee figurine!! It's so cute! I wanna buy a fox one I saw too, but it's a little spendy so I'm thinking about it.... Hahaha

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BUY FAR, my favorite day of my trip so far!!! I absolutely adore Venice!!! It’s so beautiful and amazing! I literally just wandered the streets today and had a jolly good time!!

I’m sure many other travelers would feel the need to chime in now and say, “ but it’s so touristy!” Who cares!!! It’s beautiful! It’s one of a kind! It’s so cool!!

I had an amazing meal as well at this little place. I read online that it often books full days in advance, but I thought I’d try and low-and-behold! Since I’m a party of one they squeezed me I between reservations and it was delicious!!! I had sea bass! And a really nice organic rosé. 😘

Good vibes and good food always make my day wonderful! The people at my hostel here are also loads nicer than Florence!

It’s so crazy to me that people here don’t own cars they own boats… Like I’m staying on a mini-island off the main island so I can only get here by boat… It’s just like a bus and it kinda weirds me out… And people don’t have driveways (obviously) but the water goes right up to their front door… Where they then park the boat… MIND BLOW! Island life!! Haha, it’s pretty cool!

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Florence was really good overall! They had so many beautiful buildings/cathedrals/architecture. Very impressed!! I started the day off on a bit of a sour note and I knew I wasn't in. The best mood. I didn't even think about wearing long pants again so I tried to go into a few different buildings and was turned away... It was super vexing cause a group of men in front of me were all also wearing shorts and the servility guard didn't say anything and he just looked at me and was like, "No shorts!" So pissed... And then it just makes you feel a bit self conscious, which I know is silly... I was already feeling a bit sick and not great and then I just kept thinking are my legs really that much of an issue?! Ugh... Anyway, besides that the day was good cause I saw a few more nice free parks, and the statue of David! Very impressive! And seriously one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world has got to be this one in Florence! Amazing! Photo doesn't do it justice! I didn't realize they have the most famous museum in Italy here with all the most famous Renaissance painters/sculptures works! The wait to get in was over 4 hours here as well so I passed, maybe next time! Had the best meal so far today! I got two appetizers (cold cuts and bruchetta,) gnocchi and wine for 14 euros! Such a steal and all homemade and delicious! Made me feel better! Haha Florence is so worth visiting and a beautiful city! I'm so excited though case I'm heading to Venice today! Water! Canals! Boats! Islands! Woooo!!!

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Such a great day!!! I really like Florence a lot!! It aligns a bit more with my romantic ideals of Italy. Next time I come here I think I'll just go to tiny towns, haha. I panicked a bit at the train station this morning cause it was a little bit confusing and I thought my train wasn't listed, but I figured it out and successfully made it here to Florence! I just wandered around today and saw a few major sites! Went into a museum and also a garden with this killer view of the city skyline! It's beautiful! I'm super excited to explore more tomorrow!!! I definitely am pretty tired though. I kinda think I'm ready to head back to the states just so my brain doesn't have to keep thinking about cultural norms and language barriers! I ate at the place that supposedly has the best pizza in Florence and it was loads better than the one I had in Rome so there's that! I think I might do a free waking tour in the morning again (I'll see...) I'm a bit bummed because the bottom wire I have lined up with my teeth from when I had braces broke today. It's not bothering me to bad so I'm thinking I might just try and wait until France to have it removed... Ugh, almost made it! Just seven more days and it wouldn't have been an issue, lol. Oh well! It is what it is! I was thinking about going in today here in Italy, but it's their Independence Day and everything like that is closed. Also it'd be really hard to explain this in my non-existent Italian.... Anyway, a small problematic development, but you just have to roll with the punches when you travel and make the most out of certain situations! Excited to see what tomorrow will bring! :)

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So, last day and final thoughts on Rome.... This might be a lot big one so bare with me. Last day was all about the Vatican and St.Peters etc. I didn't want to wait 4/5 hours in lines out in the hot sun so I paid for a guided tour! I mean entrance into the Vatican museum already costs 20 euros, so I basically paid and extra 20 for no lines and information, haha. Seemed worth it to me. I'm just going to throw this out there, might not be a popular opinion, but the Vatican is waaaay over-rated... Maybe I don't fully appreciate it since I'm not religious?? It's an absolutely beautiful building and OF COURSE Michelangelo's masterpiece is STUNNING, but there are way to many people to really enjoy it. The guards yell over loud speakers for people to be silent and stop talking (kinda humorous,) they shuffle you to the center and yell if you're to far at the edge and of course photos aren't allowed (as you an see I snuck one, didn't damage the fresco while doing so...) Anyway, it's just crazy. I like to think I've seen some really nice museums in my day and I say nix the Vatican, not worth the ridiculous price r the time. St. Peter's however is FREE and BEAUTIFUL!!! It's so worth waiting for because it's amazing! And the have Michelangelo's most famous sculpture in there anyway so... That's my take on it. As for Rome, my last day did end up being my favorite. It was really fun and I got to explore more of the cute parts of the city. Got some yummy traditional rice balls and I feel like I learned a lot. Overall, Rome was a good experience, glad I saw it, but alas wasn't my favorite. You might benefit from going there with a guide? I dunno. So much history, so beautiful, but also really dirty and just seemed so crazy busy.... Off to Florence now!! :)

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This photo deserved a separate post just because it looks really cool and I'm clearly a master photographer. That's the Vatican. Yeah, I know what you're all thinking. "NO ONE ELSE could have taken this same photo. Cause Stephanie is crazy skilled." Thank you. I try.

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So today's Roman adventure was actually pretty cool! Still crazy hot, even blocked up I think I was on the sunburn edge, but not quite!! So that's all good! Started off my day with a free walking tour, which are always fun! And if you really hate them you can ghost away before they awkwardly ask you for money at the end, but I've always had good guides so I do always pay them something!! Except when I was in Amsterdam... Ugh.... He was horrible! But anyway, so that was informative! I learned (which I now feel is obvious now) Rome isn't able to have a metro to the main parts of the city cause the entire city is just built on top of all the old buildings! They are unable to dig at all under Rome for that reason! People don't even have basements/underground rooms! It's so cool how OLD this city really is! Amazing!! Found a great pasta place that has pasta for 4 euro everyday! Got some pesto pasta, yum! Lots of Lemon gelato, my new favorite! :) Just found out for my Vatican tour tomorrow I'm not allowed to have knees or shoulders showing.... In 100 degree weather... I bet no one could give a shit if any of the men's knees are showing!!! And they'll probs be in tank tops too... Like I get this is a religious site and everything, but seriously?! I have to wear long pants because as a women my knees are deemed as being to scandalous.... What a sexist rule. Officially annoyed. Ah well. It's my last day in Rome tomorrow too. It's been fun. Not a bad city, not my favorite. Paris is loads better, but there was never any competition so....

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So.... Italy. My last big trip. I think I've been struggling a bit because of that. 1) Because I just feel so tired and kinda worn out from traveling everywhere. It's also SO HOT so my energy is depleting fast! I took a nap today at least... 2) Because it's my last trip I think I'm putting to much pressure on myself to make it really amazing and thus am disappointing myself. Which tends to happen. XD haha 3) And lastly I can't fully decide if I really like Rome or not? I mean IT'S ROME! But it's by far the busiest and I think most touristy city I've ever been to in my life. It is beautiful, but it's also very stark/desert feeling.... Which could just be the heat, but there aren't even any stores or groceries to take shelter in! Anyway, so I obviously have some mixed feelings about Rome. I walked by the Coliseum, which is cool, but I'm skipping going in that. Really have just wandered around the city.... The only thing I'm for sure doing is a tour of the Vatican cause I have to see Michael Angelo's ceiling... And it just seems like it would be interesting... Since I didn't want to wait in line for 4+ hours I had to buy the advanced ticket which is like $40... The church is really making money off all these tourists... Maybe I'll buy a mug with the popes face on it... Italy is beautiful, but in my head I'm thinking "France is better!" Haha, ah well. I already knew my opinion on that matter! Next few days in Rome then off to Florence! Defs going to be a chill trip though, especially if it says this hot...

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What a great little day trip today! It was absolutely perfect and a fun last excursion to do with my friend Emily!

It was so beautiful and we got to explore a bunch of little caves and bunkers when the tide went down and everything too! Definitely felt like a cool explorer of some sort! A bit of a long trip to get there as you have to take a train and then transfer to a bus… I was running behind this morning so I just had time to scarf down a super tiny breakfast and thus on the bus I got extremely motion sick. Ugh worst feeling ever…

It was so worth it though because it was a beautiful town and a perfect weather day to check it out! I just wanted to go swimming! XD haha

They are super similar to the cliffs in Ireland, not quite as tall and are more of a white stone… I didn’t even know they existed until a friend told me about them! Glad I got to go see! :) What a happy day! It’s midnight here now and I just got back to my apartment so, off the bed!!! Nature amazes me and earth is just pretty incredible if you think about how long it took for these caves and such to naturally form….

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Just so everyone can see an be amazed my phone (like all phones do now I guess?) keeps track of how far I walk in a day! Five miles if my average this week, but evidently the 19th and 20th were more hard core! Today is getting up there too and it's only 3:00pm! Yay! I'll have to find a way to keep walking once I get back to the states... I don't think I'll be able to sleep without walking at least four miles a day.... Paris, even though you're making me eat tons of food and pastries you're keeping me more fit than ever! After walking seven miles I'm not even tired.... ;)

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Wooooo, back in Paris! There was an awesome food festival going on that I went to on Sunday called The Taste of Paris! Michelin stared chefs from the city prepared food for you to sample! You got to go around picking what it was you wanted to try and eat while you were exploring!! They also had vendors selling loads of other food and food related goods! So much fun!! I got so many yummy dishes that normally would be super expensive for since an affordable price!!! :D I even got a desert (featured in the photo) created by a Meilleur Ouvrier de France or a Best Craftsman of France! Which is a super huge deal here! He was so friendly and obviously super passionate about his food, as he talked to everyone who ordered something from him! They even had the French Top Chef hosts there! Not quite my dream to one day eat a meal at a Michelin starred restaurant, but it's close! I'll have to get a real job before I decide to go to one and drop over $100 on a meal.... Hahaha Quite a delicious day to be sure! Went to a cute little vegetarian place in Paris for lunch with my friend as well another day and had her take a snazzy photo of me! Next adventure starts tomorrow! Allons-y!!

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So this is the most well-known machine from the Machine des îles, The Elephant!!! You get to ride it around outside the warehouse! He sprays water and everything! Perfect for a hot summer day, haha. Super cool piece of machinery and puppetry though. Very accurate to a real elephants movement and it sticks with the steampunk idea with the fact that it's made out of beautiful wood, yet all its inner workings are visible to an extent. Very exciting!

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So the other day I got back from my own personal day trip to Nantes!! Like I said this week I’ve been trying to do a bunch of stuff I’ve wanted to do all year that I just never had a chance to do! I really wanted to check out one more city in France. My two top choices were Nantes and Grenoble and I really just had to go check out this Machine des îles in Nantes so… Yep! Haha

I guess that’s a bit silly to go to a city for one specific thing?? I dunno. It was amazing though! I really like the city a lot! Left early in the morning (found train tickets for 15 euros! Score!) and had the whole day to do stuff!

Ran to the Machine des îles first! Basically it’s a museum where you get to ride/interact with a bunch of different steampunk style machines! They’re making a whole park based around it that’s set to open in 2021! Guess I’ll just have to go back! Haha, was really cool! Checked out a castle, a few different gardens and overall had a really splendid day! :)

It was my first experience with couchsurfing, which if you don’t know is where you contact people online and ask if you can crash on those couch for free. Obviously as a women I only was contacting other women cause men are essentially douchebags. That aside it was wonderful! My host was lovely and super nice! She made me some apple bread and overall was super chill. She had to leave for a women’s conference in Bordeaux the next morning so it was an early start! After some more wondering I headed back to Paris! Overall very successful experience in Nantes!

10/10 Would go again! Haha :)