Roma!

No matter how many times you visit Rome, it is more beautiful then you could ever remember. I've been twice and am still hanging for a third trip. There is extraordinary amounts of history throughout Italy but it is especially prevalent in Rome, considering their is another country within the city, it's no surprise. 
The architecture is incredible, while there aren't any particularity high buildings in the city (not including St Paul's Basilica of course) the sheer amount of detail in the adornments is mesmerising.
The Colosseum is probably the first stop on everyone's sightseeing list. Unfortunately for us, it had scaffolding around the majority of it. (luckily for me, i had already seen it, sans scaffolding) 

late 2013

early 2012

Another iconic landmark is the Spanish steps. Unfortunately in winter you won't find them adorned with beautiful flowers. They are pretty lovely non the less, especially when running off from the steps are three alleyways containing all of the designer brands that normal people can't afford. On the right of the steps is a Mary Shelley and Keats museum and it was actually where Keats use to live, which is pretty amazing. On the left is a tea room, Babington's Tea Room, opened in 1893 and while it's a little pricey, it is an amazing experience

If you are interested in Ancient History then a visit to the Roman Forum is a must. See the ruins of the Roman Republic and the masterpieces that are still hanging on today.

Shopping, like everywhere, is abundant. And if you're like me and love to buy tacky souvenirs then you will never be in short supply of them. You see the most fashionable people walking around and all you want to do is go and buy some fancy clothes so people can look at you like that, and so you can feel more fashionable too. During both of my visits i don't think i saw one unfashionable local.Unfashionable tourists however are the norm.

You can't go to Rome without visiting the Vatican. Considering it's technically it's own country, the Pope lives there and it has it's own post office! it's a pretty amazing place. The Swiss guard are everywhere in their traditional (hilarious) uniforms and you have to go through security to enter the museum and all that. The Museum is extensive to say the least. Give yourself a couple of days if you want to see every single section. The painting by  Michelangelo on the roof of the Sistine Chapel is the must see. You aren't allowed to take photos and the Chapel itself is surprisingly dark, however it is incredible. A work of brilliance. If you have the time, the climb to the top of St Paul's Basilica Dome is an incredible experience. Terrifying for those that don't like heights to enclosed spaces...or risk of plummeting to your death, but still amazing and something really worth doing at least once in your life.

View from the top of St Paul's during my first time in the Vatican (i didn't climb it the most recent time)

Firenze!

The second time i went to Italy and Florence was with Contiki. The second experience there was filled with a lot more late nights, alcohol and harsh mornings. That, however, didn't stop me from soaking up as much culture as i physically could while there.  

The Ponte Vecchio is my favorite landmark of Florence. While i can't afford the luxury jewelry that adorns the minuscule shops along each side of the bridge, i sure love to stare at them longingly. The view off the arches is also breathtaking. 

The duomo Cathedral probably the most dominating feature among the Florence landscape. Seen standing high among the throng of red roofs. 

The Palazzo Vecchio runs off the Piazza della Signoria and are both pretty spectacular squares, full of ancient architecture, sculptures, little cafes and more. inside the Palazzo Vecchio stands a replica of Michelangelo's David, however the real David resides in The Uffizi Gallery also in Florence. 

One of the most intriguing clubs that i went to was called 'Space' and it was incredible. three levels, great music, reasonably priced alcohol with a card system for their drinks. Every time you buy a drink, your card gets a hole punched in it and before you leave you must go and hand your card over and pay, they then give you a ticket that allows you to leave. If you don't have the ticket then the bouncers won't let you leave. Now while its a solid system, probably not the best considering you can wrack up quite the bill that you might not be able to pay for. 

The French Riviera! -Monaco

Monaco is a sovereign city-sate on the French Rivera. So essentially Monaco is it's own country with it's own Royal family, King, Queen and all that good stuff.

To become a citizen of Monaco you are forced through a rigorous and lengthy process where only those rich enough can afford to live there. The home of Grace Kelly and know for being a 'tax heaven' Monaco is a draw for the rich and famous.

The main attraction is with out a doubt the Monte Carlo Casino. Before i entered the country i had grand fantasies about the Monte Carlo Casino. While entering the country our tour manager warned us not to get our hopes up. Too late. My hopes had been sky high the second i saw 'Monaco' on the tour map, sitting in my lounge room months before we even booked the tour.

I was disappointed.

While there were million dollar cars parked out front and the building itself was magnificent and the architecture and detail was breathtaking, everything else kind of fell flat for me. Maybe it was because it was the first casino, high class fancy one at that, that i had ever been to. Maybe my expectations were just too high. 

I suppose i imagined it to be like an episode of Las Vegas but more elite. There was a small selection of poker machines as you walk in that we couldn't get to take our money and four card tables (beautifully sculptured card tables) in the center of a massive room. That's was it. Everything was a myriad of golds, reds and crisp whites. The bar was was extremely overpriced. I couldn't afford coke.

At least that was all we had access to. I have to believe that the rest of the casino is some beyond exclusive exclusive members only access with gambling stations up the wazoo and gold fountains filled with champagne, hidden from commoners such as myself. Because that was basically the image i originally had in my head. 

Paris!

It's a sad day when you have to consult your travel journal to refresh your memory about a trip that you, at one point couldn't stop thinking about and reliving. Constantly.
Reading back over a journal of any kind, whether travel or personal is always a bit of a daunting task for me. I never know what to expect from my past self. Generally i'm horrified by the things i thought completely ration to preserve in ink or the completely appropriate sketch of the cute guy opposite me in the coach. I wasn't quite prepared for that. 
They call Paris the city of Lights and Love for a very good reason. I always thought it was a tad clique but after being there and seeing it, i completely understand why.

The hotel we were staying at was a ways out of the center and the coach took us on a 'Paris by night' bus tour around the city. There was a lot of stretched necks swiveling every which way trying to take in the sights out of both sides of the bus at the same time, which never quite works and you always end up missing something. 
Driving around the Arc De Triomphe was actually frightening. I just don't understand how there wasn't a major accident every two seconds with the way the drive!

Our full day in Paris saw our group visit the Eiffel Tower. Completely breathtaking, but again i wasn't too sure about how stable those elevators were, especially the elevator which takes you to the highest level. I swear i thought it was going to do a Willy Wonka and propel itself right out of the top. 

Like a true tourist i couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit every tourist attraction, standing under the dominating presence of the Arc De Triomphe for example or taking a leisurely stroll down The Avenue des Champs-Élysées towards the Louvre and Notre Dame. Admittedly we power walked through the Louver to the Mona Lisa and back but it was still an experience dripping with culture. 

The day was finished off with a spectacular  show at the Moulin Rouge and a visit to O'Sullivan's pub. While it can be defined as a 'glorified titty show' it was a must see and something i will never forget. I mean there was a tank of water filled with Boa-constrictors which rose up from the stage! And ponies! Freaking ponies! 

Paris was unforgettable.      

A Little Town Called Bedford

Bedford.

Never heard of it?

Neither had I until my sister decided it was high time she moved to the other side of the world and live their.

Having heard in long, laborious details about the extensive nothingness of Bedford I still visited. For a couple days at that.

She lied to me. My sister that is. Bedford may be a very small town but it was picturesque as all hell. A beautiful embankment with a plush pub (The Embankment) right on the water front. Cobbled streets and ancient buildings, night clubs and fast food open at three am. What more could a person ask for? 

And it was Christmas, which in England means decorations. Everywhere. That's one thing they do right, their Christmas decorations. 

Sitting, drinking in a beautiful pub surrounded with people you don't know all that well is surprisingly enjoyable. Especially when you're waiting for fireworks. Fireworks to celebrate the turning on of the Christmas lights. Nothing more then in the honour of flipping a switch. Or a button. Or leaver, depending on their turning on methods. It was a beautifully loud sight while shivering in the beyond brisk air.    

 Magic.

Everything in England seems to be tainted wonderfully with Magic. But maybe That's my Rose tinted glasses talking.

One thing I know about small towns, they do their clubs right. Good booze and good music are always the combination for a memorable night, that is if you do indeed remember it. It's not the scale of the club that's important. Though admittedly it does help. 

I had a good night in a town called Bedford. Drink. Dance. And cheesy chips at three in the morning. Drinking games back at the apartment only to see the sun rise and break through the drawn curtains that morning.

Fuzzy Duck. Ducky Fuzz. Fuzzy Duck. Duck Fuzzy...Drink.