April 14, 2012

So sad.  Left Italy today.  This picture was actually from yesterday afternoon.  We left super early this morning.  Not happy about A) Leaving this beautiful place and B) The very long journey we are about to endure to get home!

April 13, 2012

Today we took a cooking class in Florence.  The class started by taking us to the local market.  We went to the butcher to get the meat, the baker for the bread, etc.  We got to sample a few different olive oils and balsamics as well.  Then we went back to the teaching kitchen. 

We made, pasta (linguine and ravioli) from scratch, two different sauces, bruschetta and tirimisu.  The class was really fun and now I can say I learned how to make pasta in Italy! 

April 12, 2012

Ponte Vecchio in Florence.  Today we just roamed around Florence all day.  At night, we met 2 girls in the lobby of our hotel that turned out to be from LA and Orange County!  We ended up going to dinner with them and having a great time.  They are off to Paris next so we were giving them tips.  We will definitely be meeting up with them in LA to share Europe stories!  We did stay out a little late though.  We have to be up really early tomorrow.  Yikes!

April 11, 2012

Toscana!  We took a day tour into Tuscany today.  We went to Sienna, San Gimignano, a Villa and Pisa.  I absolutely loved San Gimignano.  Sienna too but I think if I had to pick I would choose San Gimignano.  I also really enjoyed the Villa in Tuscany.  They had their own organic farm where they produce wine, olive oil and the most amazing biscotti ever.  We got to enjoy almost a completely organic meal there.  Very cool. 

How amazing is the view from MY villa??

April 10, 2012

Au Revoir Paris, Bongiorno Italia!!!

Just arrived in Florence, Italy.  I remember loving it when I came here on a tour about 10 years ago which is why I wanted to come back.  It's even better than I remember!

This was my first gelato.  Pistashio and Tirimisu.  So amazing.  Yum!

April 9, 2012

Doesn't Paris just look amazing via Instagram??  Last night in Paris and we have done the last of our souvineer shopping.  Well all that we had time for.  With the Easter holiday, there were a few times when everything was closed.

April 8, 2012

Today was Easter.  After sleeping in until an embarrassing time this morning/afternoon, we decided to walk around Paris again.  Still just taking it all in.  I swear, we've walked so much here but it is definitely how to see the city.  It's all of the quaint little non-touristy areas that make this city amazing. 

April 7, 2012

Today we went up to Montmartre & the Sacre Coeur.  It was too crowded in that immediate are which is a shame because normally I love it so much.  I love all of the Artists painting and the little cafes and craperies and shops.  When I say I love the "Artists", I don't mean the ones that beg to draw your portrait.  I mean the ones that paint the scenery up there.  It's so awesome.  We did manage to walk around some of the quiet surrounding streets where I got a few amazing pics.  This is one of them.  The colors are stunning.

April 6, 2012

Spent all day strolling around Paris.  Both of us have been multiple times so we did not need to do all of the museum/super touristy stuff.  So we mainly walked around enjoying the sights and neighborhoods.

Of course the night ended with a trip to the Eifel Tower.  And what an amazing night it was.  We got a full moon!!!  We are both obsessed with the moon so this was super exciting in a dorky way.  :)

April 5, 2012

Got to Paris today!  After a long flight with layover included, we arrived in Paris and at our most adorable hotel (Hotel Therese) around 2pm.  Took a little cat nap that lasted about 5 hours.  Then decided to head out for a walk around the area and some dinner.  How cute are our room keys!!??

April 4, 2012

So it begins!  The journey to Paris!  LAX to CDG with a layover in Washington, DC.  We leave today but get to Paris tomorrow afternoon. 

So. Excited.

April 3, 2012

Kelly Clarkson concert at Nokia Theatre in LA!  Her concerts are always so great.  She had some friends stop by too.  Michelle Branch, Blake Shelton and Reba!  Great show!

Now...gotta go home to pack for Europe tomorrow!  16 Days in a row of work and now it's the pay off.  :)

April 2, 2012

I leave in 2 days for Europe and I have not packed a thing.  And tomorrow I work and have a concert.  Yep. Awesome.

April 1, 2012

Beautiful day at the train station!  At 5:53AM!