A few weeks ago (this post is very delayed), I returned from an amazing three week tour of Europe, starting in Barcelona and ending in the mountains of Italy.  Me and my new camera took a silly amount of pictures that I will start to post soon.

We started in Barcelona for my lovely sis, to bring her to her study abroad semester, or Erasmus, which is a much better name for it.  I fell in love with the city, the architecture was gorgeous, the people were friendly, and the nightlife was unparalleled.  Not to mention the beach was in walking distance from every club.  Saying goodbye to Colette and the city was not easy, but Italy was waiting for us.

In Italy we (me and my roommates [mom and dad]) went to Brescia, a city just outside Milan in the north of Italy, to visit our former exchange student, Francesco, and his family.  They brought us to their lake house on Lago di Garda, where we stayed for the next five days. We took a day trip to neighboring cities nearly every day and were exhausted by the time we got home.

From there, we headed to Aulla Italy, a small town just outside Tuscany.  We visited my mom’s cousin, Giancarlo and his wonderful family.  They treated us marvelously, and made sure we went to bed stuffed every night.  I met my third cousin, Dafne for the first time there and we were quick to become soul mates. This was the first time I had ever met any of my mom’s extended family, so it made the experience even more special.

Finally, for our last leg of the trip, we packed up our little Fiat and drove five hours towards Rome, to the little village on a mountain, Fumone.  Fumone is extra special because it is where my Nonna and Nonno grew up, and where my Zia Savina still resides.  After getting a bit lost, we finally arrived to the warm embrace of my Zia Savina, who despite just having heart surgery, ran to greet us.  It was the warmest welcome we had received, and I will truly never forget it.

I will divide the trip into separate posts soon! And with way more pictures!