As the weather in Southern Louisiana changes from a tolerable warmth to a simmering heat, I am having flashbacks to last year’s European adventures. After studying in the U.K. for a year, I ended my time abroad with visits to Amsterdam, the South of France, the Amalfi Coast, and Rome. In what can only be described as the best summer vacation ever, I was able to visit many amazing towns and cities. While it is impossible to pick favorites, I have decided to feature five of these must-visit destinations:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
My summer holiday began in Amsterdam. Immediately, I was sold on the narrow canals and leaning houses. We spent most of our time wandering, walking, and, of course, riding bikes. We stayed in a lovely houseboat and explored The Old Centre, Dam Square, Jordaan, Museumplein, Vondelpark, and more! One of the most interesting sights was Begijnhof, an enclosed courtyard dating back to the 14th century.
La Croix-Valmer, France
Our second destination was the lovely South of France. We flew into Nice and made our way to La Croix-Valmer by two buses and some hitchhiking. Already we were off to an interesting start! We walked the Cap Lardier path, relaxed on Plage de Gigaro, and took buses to nearby villages. One of the highlights of this trip was eating Tarte Tropézienne as we relaxed on the balcony overlooking the sea.
Grimaud, France
Grimaud was just a bus ride awayfrom where we were staying in La Croix Valmer. The village is picturesque with brightly colored shutters and small, winding roads. We walked to the top of the hill, where there are ruins of an old castle and a breathtaking view of the neighboring regions.
Capri, Italy
Next on the list was Italy, and our first stop was the Amalfi Coast. We stayed in Praiano, and on our first day, we took a boat to Capri to tour the island. Our guide took us everywhere from the Blue Grotto to Anacapri, where we took a chairlift to Monte Solaro. There’s nothing that compares to eating gelato and exploring this beautiful island.
Rome, Italy
Before heading back to the U.K. to collect my things, we spent two very busy days in Rome touring the Vatican, Galleria Borghese, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and many more locations. This stop on the trip was by far the most tiring, but it was also one of the most interesting. It was fascinating to learn about the history of the buildings and the city itself, and it was a wonderful way to end our trip!
