7 Romantic Places in Europe

7 Romantic Places in Europe

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, it's that time of year to begin imagining - or actually visiting - romantic destinations around the world. Whether you choose to go with a s/o or head there solo, these 7 places in Europe ooze romantic charm.

1. The Arno River; Florence, Italy

Firenze is filled with Renaissance art and colorfully painted buildings. Walking along the Arno River past the Ponte Vecchio is the perfect setting for a romantic stroll as you take in the beauty of the city lining the river. Walk from the river up to Piazzale Michaelangelo or Miniato to watch the sunset slowly drape over the red-tiled rooftops for a wistful experience you'll never forget.

2. Cinque Terre; Monterosso al Mare (pictured), Italy

With Italy being one of the romance capitols of Europe, I had to include another Italian destination on this list. Cinque Terre, while often crowded with tourists in the summer, earns a well-deserved spot. Walk along the trails that connect the five small towns and soak up the sights of the pastel cliffside homes along the Mediterranean coast. Bonus: you can make Cinque Terre a day trip from Florence.

3. Lake Bled; Bled, Slovenia

At picturesque Lake Bled, you'll find a mini island in the middle of the water with a church. You can row boats around the lake and row up to the island. Traditionally, for weddings at the church, the groom must carry his bride all the way up the 99 steps.

4. Neuschwanstein Castle; Bavaria, Germany

By now you've probably heard of this German castle (which inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle), which rests atop a hill within the Bavaria region in Southern Germany. You'll be surprised a setting this romantic exists in real life!

5. Mirabell Gardens; Salzburg, Austria

This Austrian town is where The Sound of Music takes place and was filmed. Walk by the Mirabell Gardens or among the colorful shops to feel like you stepped inside a storybook daydream.

6. Burg Square; Brugges, Belgium

You'll recognize Brussel's sibling city Brugges by the lego-like buildings in Burg Square. Stroll past the unique architecture and then head over to Minnewater Lake, where swans swimming await.

7. The Eiffel Tower; Paris, France

While in Paris, you simply must not pass up the opportunity to watch the Eiffel Tower light up at night and be there when it sparkles for the first five minutes of the hour. Even though you'll see the Eiffel Tower peeking out throughout the city, there's nothing like actually being right in front of it, marveling in its enormity. Seeing it sparkle will be something you'll never forget.

An easy and exciting way to travel (and maybe hit more than one of these destinations) is to take a cruise. Whether it's for an anniversary, honeymoon, or adventurous getaway abroad, there are endless ways to make your vacation special. Suggestion? Take an unforgettable Europe cruise with Celebrity.

These Photos Will Make You Want To Visit Croatia

sunset croatia

Croatia has been on the up-and-coming European destinations list for some time now, and it's easy to see why: sparkling, clear water on the Adriatic Sea, lush greenery and waterfalls at the National Parks (like Krka, pictured below), and medieval towns on the coast. One look at these photos and you'll be booking the next ticket to Split!

Driving-in-Croatia

Swan-in-Croatia-Krka

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Krka-Waterfalls

Trogir Croatia

Krka-waterfalls-swimming

10 Tips For Visiting Italy

Bellagio Lake Como

Heading to Italy? If so, I'm jealous really excited for you. It's a beautiful country with so much to see, do, and explore. Read on for tips on how "grazie" is actually pronounced, what the bread on the table is really for, and how to drink coffee at an espresso bar.

10 Tips For Visiting Italy

10 tips italy

1. Go to the Amalfi Coast, despite the number of tourists. The beauty of the pastel houses built into the side of the cliffs, citrus scent in the air from the lemon groves, swimming in the Blue Grotto, and boating around the Mediterranean make it totally worth it.

2. Pack light. Those narrow sidewalks and cobblestone streets will not be friendly to heavy luggage.

Florence

3. Drinking coffee: go to the bar (sometimes called snack bar) and order espresso or whatever coffee you want. Stand at the bar while you have your espresso and then leave. If you decide to sit at a table, be prepared to pay a little extra for table service.

4. Look before you cross the street. If you're in the street at the wrong time - when cars and scooters are flying towards you - be prepared to get yelled/honked at and jump out of the way as quickly as possible.

5. Pronounce the E in "grazie." It's "grah-zee-eh." I have NO idea why there is some misconception in the US that it's grazi without the e. I've seen it misspelled a number of times in the US.

6. Go wine tasting in Tuscany. Wine tasting anywhere else is tough to beat.

Andiamo Bellevue Food

7. The bread on the table is to mop up your leftover pasta sauce; the olive oil is to add extra flavor to your food.

8. If you're in Florence, you must go to a secret bakery at 2am and order a nutella croissant. There is nothing better than to have chocolate- or lemon-filled pastries after a late night out.

9. Dress to impress. Italians know their fashion: think of every street like a runway. Being "dressed down" in sneakers and skinny jeans still means fabulous hair, Ray-Ban aviators, and designer extras - for women and men.

10. Wear comfortable shoes. The aforementioned cobblestone streets won't be nice to your feet, either. To save your soles, try sneakers (Converse, Nike, and New Balance are good brands to try), comfortable flats (break them in before you go), or boots (there are many shops in Italy that sell quality leather boots).

Book a Place to Stay in Italy

My all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

Napoleon III's Apartments are Reason Enough To Go To The Louvre

The Louvre in Paris is one of the best and most-visited museums in the world.

Room after room is filled with art, and if you've heard about about a piece of artwork growing up in school, chances are it's probably at The Louvre.

After you battle your way through the tour group crowds to get a close-up of Psyche or the Mona Lisa, head over to Napoleon III's apartment - rooms that are covered in ornate furnishings for every inch.

In my opinion, Napoleon III's Apartments are SO much better than seeing the Mona Lisa - though I will say it's almost worth it just to see the notorious massive crowd...

Around The World On A Budget

Is traveling expensive? It can be, but it doesn't have to! Instead of getting discouraged immediately after checking the price of flights, start to think outside the box when it comes to planning your next trip. If your dream destination is somewhere warm on a beach, look into Southeast Asia - there are hoards of beaches there. If it's classic European architecture, check out the castles and cathedrals of old-world Eastern Europe. If it's something adventurous or outdoors-y, look into Central or South America. For somewhere totally exotic and different, head to Central Asia.

Below are a few destinations around the world on a budget that will still satisfy your desire to travel that won't drain your bank account. This list can help get you started when thinking about where to go!

Also read: Where To Find Cheap Flights

Asia

Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, etc.

Countries in Southeast Asia are extremely inexpensive to travel to. This region is often called a "backpacker's paradise" due to being safe, cheap, and with multiple countries that are easy to get to. Get started with a Full Moon party in Thailand, waterfalls in Laos, pristine beaches in Cambodia, delicious fusion food in Singapore, or bright green rice fields in Indonesia.

South Korea

For an Eastern Asian adventure without the Tokyo price tag, head to South Korea. Sing karaoke, eat Korean barbecue, and take trips through the lush countryside to see this stunning country.

Europe

Eastern Europe and The Balkans: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania

This region of Eastern Europe is far cheaper than its western counterpart. While London and Paris are amazing cities, you can find accommodation for days in parts of Eastern Europe that cost the same as one night in the former two. You'll get a more in-depth experience and set foot in parts of Europe that many travelers never get to. The castles and architecture are gorgeous, too!

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Turkey

Istanbul is one of the most interesting cities in Europe, partially due to its influences with both the West and East. It's really cheap, and the farther east you go, the cooler it gets. Hot air ballooning in the Cappadocia region is a popular activity these days, as is taking a cruise along the sparkling Mediterranean Coast.

Greece

Greece is a European country that many people assume is outrageously expensive but is far more affordable than you'd think. Read the Greece section on this post for more reasons why.

Africa

Morocco

Morocco tends to be more on the inexpensive side for tourists, especially if you're getting there from Western Europe (in which case, it will seem very inexpensive). Avoid tourist scams to save your money, and enjoy the beauty and exotic flavor of this country.

Madagascar

If you can get to Madagascar, you'll notice that prices are on the lower range for accommodation, transportation, etc. You never know, it could be worth it to see the Avenue of Baobabs in person, where baobab trees reach heights of about 100 feet.

The Americas

Peru

Peru has Machu Picchu which is already awesome, but you'll also find jungles and beaches in this South American country. Go to Lima or Cuzco for a city vibe, or head out to Lake Titicaca to marvel at this huge lake that sits over 12,000 feet above sea level.

USA

North America in general can get pretty pricey, but if you want to go to the US, shave down the cost of seeing big cities in different parts of this large country by driving instead of flying. This will significantly cut down your costs and allow you to stop at unexpected spots on the way! Popular routes include:

-Historic Route 66 (California-Arizona-New Mexico-Texas-Oklahoma-Missouri-Illinois)

-Deep South (Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama-Georgia)

-Pacific Coast Highway (Washington-Oregon-California)

-California to New York

-Florida

-I-90 (East-West interstate highway along northern states)

-Southwest loop (Los Angeles-San Diego-Phoenix-Grand Canyon-Zion NP-Las Vegas)

Panama If you're craving Central American beaches but aren't digging the idea of Costa Rican prices, go a little further south to Panama. Rainforest, tropical birds, beaches, diving, and surfing are a few of many great things to see and do in Panama.

Oceania & The Pacific

Islands: Fiji, Northern Mariana Islands

Aside from Australia and New Zealand, which are both notorious for being pricey, look into islands in Oceania. Fiji is a great alternative to the Caribbean if you're looking for a beach getaway. Also check out some other islands, such as the Northern Mariana Islands - Saipan is on the US dollar and is relatively inexpensive (read more about Saipan here and here)!

Why Studying Abroad Was The Best Decision I Ever Made

My first time going outside the United States was to Florence, Italy for a summer study abroad program in college. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life and it fueled my love for travel. My life would be very different had I not taken the leap to go in the first place. Going abroad was one of the best decisions I have ever made - and I've broken that down into reasons why below.

First time out of the country

The only notions I had of other countries were what I had seen in photos or movies or read about in books. My jaw dropped in amazement the second I stepped foot in Rome and watched the Italian architecture go by out the bus window. It was incredible, beautiful, and blew my expectations away. And this was before I had even made it to the Colosseum!

Just enough organization for my first trip abroad

Our classes were already set up, we knew we'd have pensioni (housing) during the duration of our stay, our flights coordinated with the opening tour in Rome, and we would all meet up at the airport upon arrival to go to the hotel and welcome dinner. Classes were Monday-Thursday in the mornings and after our 3-course lunches at our pensione, we had the rest of the afternoon off to explore Florence and long weekends to travel to other places if we so desired.

Had a home-base

When we traveled on weekends, it was so nice to be able to bring only what I needed and to leave the rest at the pensione. This ensured our backpacks would fit in tiny Ryan Air carry-on restrictions and we didn't have to bring everything with us everywhere we went.

Safe

I felt safe throughout the duration of my study abroad. Florence is very safe (just mind the pickpockets in touristy areas) and there were always people to walk home with after dark.

Applied classroom learning to travel and other cultures

Since summer session was just two classes, I took the opportunity to get some core/marketing classes out of the way. Even with those classes, the professors made a point to tie parts of the lecture to what we were experiencing abroad. Other classes, like Italian language, the arts, or religion had outings around the city - physically seeing what you're learning about in person enhances the experience so much more.

New friends

I was able to make friends with people outside my regular "friend group" back on campus in the States. It was refreshing to meet new people, and when we returned to campus that fall, we had that shared experience in common. And I'll never forget my roommates - we had so much fun!

Problem-solving

Traveling occasionally comes with complications. I'll never forget when a big group of us went to Elba Island and on Sunday night when we were making our way back to Florence, found out that there was a bus/train strike that day. After walking miles back and forth to different stations, we were about to camp out in the station for the night when a random bus pulled up. We were able to make it to Pisa, and then get on an extremely crowded bus back to Florence late that night. (And just in time to get a few hours of sleep before a few of us gave a presentation in marketing class!)

When situations like that happen, you have to figure out the best solution, and when nothing seems to be going your way, make the best of it. At least it will make for a good story later on, like the time they found a bomb in the Pisa airport and I didn't go to Barcelona.

Studying abroad is a unique travel experience

Going abroad for school is a unique travel experience. Even if you've traveled abroad before with family, solo, or with a group of friends, the experience is so much different. With study abroad you get to have a home base, some structure/routine with classes during the week, opportunities to travel more (since you'll likely be there longer than if you just went on vacation), and opportunities to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

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If you're on the fence about studying abroad, I highly suggest you do it. You only have so many years in college have an experience like this. Throw away the excuses and just go for it.

9 Reasons To Go To Rome During Your Trip To Italy

Rome is definitely a popular city in Italy, but if you're thinking of just skimming the surface with Venice or Lake Como - think again - and make sure you add Rome to the itinerary.

Even though Florence holds a special place in my heart...

And Venice has romantic vibes...

And the Amalfi Coast is beyond gorgeous...

Rome is amazing. Here's why you need to not skip Italy's capital on your next trip.

1. The History

Basically everywhere you step will be somewhere where Julius Caesar has stepped. Think about how cool that is. Then go see ancient, man made monuments for yourself - the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps are remarkable in person and are far more interesting than the photos you saw in history textbooks during school.

2. The Tiber River

Going along with the previous point - when you're walking along the Tiber and realize that you're walking along the Tiber, another realization sets in that you are near the river that holds so much ancient Roman history, as it was an important element to the development of the Roman Empire.

3. The Fiumicino - Leonardo da Vinci Airport

This airport is big and is typically cheaper to fly into than Florence or other small cities (win!). Rome is a great location to fly into if you're heading to other cities in Italy since it is in the middle of the country. For example, if you wanted to take a day trip to Florence from Rome, you can simply hop on the fast train and be there in under two hours, allowing for a full day of exploration.

4. It's big, and there is plenty to do

There are so many pockets and neighborhoods to stumble upon as you turn every corner of the winding streets. Hop on the tram to get to other parts of the city to explore a whole new area. I recommend heading over to Villa Borghese, a large area filled with gardens, parks, and museums.

5. Vatican City

Visit a country within a city. That's right, Vatican City is its own country. Head over there on Sunday to see the Pope and hear the Pope's blessing, stand in the line to go inside the church (it's free and the wait is worth it!), climb to the top for a spectacular aerial view, or take a tour of the museum. Every inch of the interior is covered in the most extravagant art. It's definitely worth it to spend a day over here.

6. The Food

Compare the tastes in Rome to the other parts of Italy. Make sure to try restaurants and cafes that aren't right next to tourist attractions, though, because it will be overpriced and the quality is just not as good.

7. The palm trees, grass, and other plant life

At least when you compare Rome to Florence, you'll find more grassy spots, trees, and other plant life throughout the city center, adding to the beauty of the city and breaking up the colors of the buildings.

8. The stray cats

If you're away from your pets at home, seeing these little kitties roaming around are sure to brighten up your day.

9. Readily available (and clean) drinking fountains all over the city

Rome still uses ancient water systems to this day - they know their water. There's no need to keep buying disposable water bottles throughout the day when you can just fill it up with cold, clean water on the street or take a quick sip.