Catching up on my Vitamin Sea

It's hard to believe that we're more than three weeks into our European adventure. Since leaving Switzerland we've been traveling along the coast of Italy, and catching up on our fun in the sun and surf. Normally I'm not a huge fan of spending a day just soaking up the sun at the beach. There are usually so many other things to do and it can be hard for me to relax, unwind, and enjoy just doing nothing. This trip has definitely changed my appreciation for beaches. Having days to spend resting and relaxing have been very needed on this fast-paced trip, and with the warm Mediterranean water available all the time I'm happy to take advantage of it.

Our first stop after leaving Zermatt was Venice. Truly an inspiring city to visit, filled with adventures for everyone. Walking the narrow streets, floating by in a gondola, or relaxing on a restaurant terrace, I loved every moment. And while I don't think I'd ever need to spend weeks exploring the city, I look forward to any opportunity to spend another day or two whenever I pass by. I highly recommend a dinner visit to Campo Santa Margherita with a stop for gelato at the little place on the south end of the square. Instead of using the same syrups every other place uses, this place uses fresh fruits and other ingredients giving it a unique taste worth seeking out.

Spending two days on the beaches of Rimini was time well spent. Great sand, warm waters, and hot sun made the days enjoyable and the cooler nights appreciated. While there are likely many other things about the area worth exploring, Rimini is about the beaches and the nightlife.

Because of how packed our itinerary can get, Rome was a bit of a blur for me. In two full days we managed to squeeze in tours of the Vatican and Colosseum, visits to the Trevi fountain, the Pantheon, several squares and marketplaces, the Spanish Steps, and more that I'm probably forgetting. This whirlwind tour might not have been the most enjoyable experience, but with his busy and packed the city is, I was glad to get in and out as quickly as possible.

Though all roads lead to Rome, that also means you can go anywhere from Rome, and it was time to continue south for some time spent in Sorrento, Capri, and Positano. All three are spectacular locations though expensive. Just counting the luxury yachts floating in the harbours should give you an idea of the kind of money regularly spent here. The biggest highlight was our boat ride around the island of Capri, with our swim stop amongst the super yachts on the east side of the island. Never in my life have I swam in water like this. Descriptions will never do it justice, but the clarity and warmth of the waters made floating along under the sun one of the best experiences of this trip.

While this trip has been challenging and stressful much of the time, it's the little moments each day or two that make it all worth it. One perfect moment or day can undo all the stress from a bad week, one smile can improve your mood, and if that's not enough there's always gelato. I honestly can't imagine giving up this experience for anything, and each trip out makes me want to take the bigger leap into larger adventures. Taking off for a semester, a year, or longer keeps calling to me. The idea of pursuing teaching opportunities that will have me traveling and exploring the world fills my mind and dreams almost every night. My name is Colin and I'm a travel addict.