One Final Au Revoir – European Discovery

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Jul 282011

Bonjour encore!

In what seems like a flash, we have now arrived at our last stop, Nice, France….but before I tell you about the present, allow me to rewind back just one week ago where life literally gave us lemons in Sorrento, Italy.

Sorrento truly looked like a movie-set, lined with delicious looking restaurants and small, sophisticated boutiques. With hungry bellies, we headed for Fauno, an outstanding Italian restaurant which provided trip members like Sam, Gabe and Rob with the best homemade ravioli on this side of the Mediterranean. Eager to spend time with each other, we went back to the hotel to for a few Westcoast special programs, where trip members Brooke, Kim, and Michael seemed to enjoy the most with their belly laughs.

When we arose in the morning, we packed our sunscreen and headed for the famous island of Capri. Some trip members like Alex K., Natasha, and Rachel were eager to lay their eyes on the unbelievable scenery while others like Abby, Lauren W. and Jen hoped to see celebs…(and we did find out that Anne Hathaway was on a boat in Capri at the same time as us thanks to Liza!) Our boat-ride excursion led us to the majestic green grottos, where trip members like Stephen, Richard, Sam W. and Dylan couldn’t get enough of the water. Jacob W., Zach and Emily G. were completely enchanted by the experience, mesmerized by the sun which sparkled on the deep blue sea. 

The following day, we soaked up the sun a bit more in Positano, another beautiful town off of the Amalfi Coast. With freshly sun-kissed cheeks, we wandered through the town. Alex S., Anthony and Jacob W. played a little beach football while Marisa, Whitney and Jillian perused the towns many shops and restaurants.

In the blink of an eye, we arrived in Florence just in time for an unforgettable meal of homemade pastas and other traditional family recipes. Afterwards, we headed for the Piazza De La Republica where Brooke, Emily L., Allie, and Dani all reconnected with their childhood as they rode on the carousel.

The next day, we deepened our relationship with Firenze (Florence), with an exciting and educational guided walking tour. We witnessed the statue of David with our very own eyes, and Lauren B., Sam F. were truly astonished by his intricate structure. A few more sights brought us to a new episode of the Amazing Race, where trip members were asked to take a photographic scavenger hunt of the city. Allison’s team again reigned supreme (though everyone’s a winner!) Jake and Haley F. were particularly motivating for their teams, and Hailey D. and Max were resilient as can be, refusing to give up on each exciting task.  We enjoyed cooking school and of course our night out at Space Electronic Disco!

Fast forward about 12 hours after a quick stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa and we are now in Nice, France…dreading the inevitable goodbye that comes in just one day.

In only one month, we have sailed the ocean blue, and swam in it, too…we’ve climbed hundreds of steps, overlooking great cities from dream-like views…we have retraced the footsteps of Roman gods and made wishes in fountains, despite the odds…we’ve traveled by train, by boat, by plane, we’ve bathed in the sun and we’ve danced in the rain. We’ve cooked our own food on piping hot stones, we’ve eaten croissants and gelato.

The past thirty days have proven to be much more than just a summer trip…they have been the time machine which has transformed us to young adults from kids…they have been the days where we laughed until we cried, the days where friendships have blossomed, the days where memories became engraved in our minds. We dread the goodbye that comes in just one day not just because it means that real-life must start again, but because this trip has truly changed our lives. Just thirty days ago, we came as strangers, and now we will leave as family, united. It is with much sadness that we say our final au revoir. But, instead of leaving with tears, we leave with much, much more: friendships to last a lifetime, memories to cherish for always, and a little piece of every place we’ve been to carry in our hearts forever.

With all of our love,

European Discovery

The Westcoast Blogger

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When in Rome do as the Romans do! – European Discovery

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Jul 242011

Dearest friends and family!

We drove from Rimini to Rome, anxiously awaiting our first opportunity to utter the words, “When in Rome do as the Romans do”! (Sam W. was the first to set the trend). Our first stop was to a traditional Roman restaurant where trip members experienced a real-life toga party, complete with festive attire for everyone. Emily B. and Allie L. looked like natives in their new togas, while Emily G. and Mel came prepared with braided belts to supplement their outfits. After a few minutes, an Italian opera singer accompanied by a very talented accordion played just for us. Sammy F., Brooke and Josh were rewarded for their enthusiasm with tambourines to play with the band. After an active meal, we proceeded to the Trevi Fountain, famous for making wishes come true based on how many coins you surrender. Marielle, Lindsey, and Stephanie each threw two coins for love while Abby, Liza and Jen threw three, which signified that they’d all return to Rome. First stop in the morning was for a guided tour of the Vatican, where trip members, especially Dani and Alexa, marveled at Michelangelo’s intricate paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Although we didn’t catch a glimpse of the Pope, we were lucky enough to wander through St. Peter’s Basilica in his footsteps. Following the Vatican, we were led through the city by our engaging tour guide who showed us some of Rome’s best local restaurants. Soon after, we took a trip to the past when we visited the ancient coliseum. We tried as hard as we could to take in as much of the enormous coliseum as possible. Whitney, Jillian and Gabby allowed their imaginations to take over traveling back in time to when gladiators and animals fought in front of more than 50,0000 people. And this season on The Amazing Race: five teams battle it out in the first leg of Discovery’s version of the successful television show. The journey took us from the Spanish Steps to the Trevi Fountain, the first pit stop, where the trip members took a group picture and proceeded to bolt to the Pantheon for another group photo before heading off to the final check point at Piazza Navona. Groups showed their pictures to Trip Director Adam and were ranked for their departure times when the race actually begins. Allison’s team consisting of Lauren W., Jake, Ilana, Emily L., Jessie W., Zach, Rachel, Lauren B., and Josh secured first place, naming themselves “Team Roses and Thorns”.

After a fun-filled day, we rested up for Pompeii, where the ruins would soon enlighten us all. The tour was remarkably interesting.  Anthony, Dylan and Melanie all described the ruins as one of the most interesting things they have ever seen. Now, off to Sorrento and we can already smell the lemons!

Arriverderci!

All of us on the European Discovery

The Westcoast Blogger

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Ciao Bellisimos! – European Discovery

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Jul 182011

Greetings from Italia!

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the warm Venezian sun, which shone down on trip members as they rode into town by Vaparetto. Once docked on the island, we enjoyed an authentically Italian feast. Jacob W. thought the pesto gnocchi was a treat for his tastebuds while Gabe, Zach and Rob devoured generous portions of other delicious, homemade cuisine. Eager to start a new day in Venezia, we woke up just in time to do some more sight-seeing and exploration. While walking, we discovered many outdoor produce markets where Jessie W., Ilana B., and Brooke ate the freshest fruit to ever touch their lips. Later on, we each embraced our inner-romantic side while riding the magical Venezian gondola. Lindsey, Lauren W., Steph and Marielle even got so lucky as to ride behind a boat that featured a traditional Italian vocalist/accordion player, (our very own second-hand serenade!).  Afterwards, we traveled the streets of Venice until we found the perfect combination of bistros and cafes for dinner. Marisa and Sam F. shared some of Italy’s best “quatro formaggio” pizza, while Michael and Max left no noodle behind from their spaghetti Bolognese.

First thing the next morning, we arrived in Rimini, a beach town in Italy and the weather has been nothing less than perfect. Before ever stepping foot off the bus, trip members could smell the salty sea and feel the warm sand between their toes. Once on the beach, Sammy F., Emily L. and Liza took full advantage of the water, swimming around and playfully splashing each other.  Lauren B., Lizzie and Whitney were most excited to soak up the rays, lounging on beach chairs for maximum bronzing power. Other trip members like Alex K., Alex S. and Eric couldn’t wait to get a refreshing scoop of Rimini’s famous gelato. Later on, we put on our best moves and danced the night away at one of Rimini’s hottest discos. Richard, Alexa, Natasha and Brent worked the dance floor, while Hailey D., a natural dance-star, impressed us all with her sweet moves. We left all of our energy on that dance floor, having the absolute time of our lives. We rode the disco bus home, where Gabby and Kim doubled over with laughter as they reflected on a great night. A million giggles and a few new tan lines bring us to today, where we will bask in the Italian sun once more.

Sending all of our love from Italia,

All of us on the European Discovery Trip

The Westcoast Blogger

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Whitewater Rafting in the French Alps – European Discovery

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Jul 172011

 

Bienvenue from Switzerland!

Since we talked to you last, the European Discoverers have consumed over 247 nutella-filled crepes, biked the border of the pristine Lake Annecy, and went whitewater rafting in the crystal-clear French Alps.

We arrived in Annecy just in time for dinner and to explore the elegant old city on our way to the restaurant. Trip members were completely enthralled by the authentic cobblestone streets surrounded by small, picturesque canals lined with brightly-colored flower baskets. Liza, Abby and Jen couldn’t help but stop to snap pictures, taking in all of the city’s immense beauty with extreme awe. At the restaurant, trip members were psyched to learn that they’d be cooking their own dinner fondue style, a tradition amongst locals in Annecy. Stephanie and Raffy were naturals, cooking with total expertise while Whitney and Jillian loved every bite, exclaiming that it was one of the best meals they’d eaten yet. After dinner, we walked over to a large park overlooking the breathtaking mountaintops and shimmering blue waters for a group activity where trip members were asked to come up with a jingle and commercial. Kim, Jacob W, Melanie, Haley F., Stephanie, Michael, Sam F and Lauren B. were the stars of the evening, impressing us all with their extreme talent and creativity.

The next afternoon, we relaxed a bit on the beach. Finally able to envelope ourselves in the crisp blue waters we’d been longing for, Lindsey, Dani, Anthony and Alexis jumped right in, feeling immediately refreshed. Meanwhile, Emily B and Allie chose to enter the water in style, splashing down the water slide with delight. The following day, we rose with the sun to set off for Centron, a river-valley between majestic French Alps to challenge ourselves on class three and four rapids. Rafting was especially thrilling for Ilana and Jesse W. who had never been before, and Dylan, Zach and Jesse B., who loved getting maximum air-time with each wave their raft overtook. After all of our hard work on the rapids, we treated ourselves to deux boules (two scoops) of mouthwatering gelato. Speaking of mouthwatering, we are now in Zermatt, Switzerland where trip members have fallen madly in love with Swiss chocolate. Suffice it to say that the cute little chocolate shops that line the streets of Zermatt may have sold more truffles in the last two days than they have all year. Once the fresh Swiss air lulled us to sleep, we awoke to experience the illustrious Matterhorn. Sam W. and Stephen were fascinated by the seemingly flawless land that floated beneath their gondola and couldn’t wait to get their hands on some fluffy white snow at the top. Gondolas in Switzerland today, gondolas in Venice tomorrow.

Talk to you soon!

The Westcoast Blogger

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The Hustle and Bustle of Parisian Life – European Discovery

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Jul 122011

Bonjour, Madames et Monsieurs!

Close your eyes and breathe in the sweet aromas of French bakeries that dance through the air of Paris. Envision the Eiffel tower, sparkling in the distance, while boats drift swiftly on the Seine throughout the night. The glory of Paris is ever-present, and we’ve discovered more of its magic with each passing moment.

Since arriving in France, the hustle and bustle of Paris has kept us on our feet as we climbed the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Sacré-Coeur. Lizzie was completely enchanted by the Eiffel Tower, whose beauty almost moved her to tears (happy ones, of course)! Lindsey, Stephanie and Marielle were the first to the top, while Lauren W. and Sammy Fr. chose to take the scenic route up, marveling at the view with each step.

We visited the prominent Louvre museum, where Jacob and Whitney were exceptionally curious, impressing guides and trip members with their knowledge. Later, we visited the Champs-Élysées for our first exquisite French lunch and Haley F. could not stop talking about her dessert of fresh strawberries that were as sweet as candy. Having eaten conveniently close to the Arc de Triomphe, Richard and Josh were eager to begin their ascent to the top. Zach, Michael and Max stood proudly from the highest point of the arc, taking plenty of snapshots of themselves overlooking the city of Paris.

At nightfall, we gave our feet a rest, stretching our vocal chords instead. Trip members stole the show at Karaoke, including Jesse B. and Gabe whose stage presence was electrifying.The food in Paris is impressing everyone!  We have indulged in crepes (Alexa’s new favorite food) and various other French delicacies. Alex S. has also grown quite fond of French fare, allowing new foods like chocolate croissants and baguettes to sneak their way into his heart. When Melanie tasted Ratatouille she proudly exclaimed, “this is the best Ratatouille I’ve ever eaten!” as we all laughed knowing that it was her first time trying it.

With stars presents in the night sky, we viewed Paris from a new perspective as we traveled by boat along the Seine. Jillian, Marisa and Gabby soaked up the sights as they gazed at the beautiful French architecture along the shore, while Eric waved joyfully at the locals on the various bridges and docks. Meeting Hailey Wickenheiser wasn’t so bad either…THAT’S RIGHT, FOLKS. Thanks to our superstar trip director, trip members had the opportunity of a lifetime to meet and chat with Hailey, the captain of the Women’s Canadian Olympic gold medal hockey team, the #1 women’s hockey player in the world.

Sweet Parisien dreams reinvigorated us for a new day, as we set off for Annecy and the beautiful French countryside. The view from the bus fills us with wonder and excitement, with luscious greenery providing the perfect backdrop for our travels.

A bientĂ´t!

Bisou Bisou!

The Westcoast Blogger

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