First week: Switzerland and Italy

My apologies! This post was supposed to go out last weekend. There will be a new post about this week's trip later this weekend. :)

Pardon my typos and such, I am not an experienced blogger! Just wanted a way to share my trip with my friends, and to remember things for myself as well.

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Hey, friends! I am sitting at Mom's apartment in Switzerland on a cloudy, but still lovely, day. There somehow never seems to be a day that is too terrible here, no matter the weather. Today is Sunday, so mostly every store is closed, except the little convenience store, Aperto, by the Vevey train station. That leaves nothing to do, but wondering around by the lake (Lake Geneva or "Lac Leman" in French) and enjoying the view, eating pastries at the delicious Chez Manu, and finding the cheapest, but very delicious and filling, lunch in town at **** (going to have to find it again to know what it's called). So, I thought I would catch you up on my adventure so far.

Me, on the walking path in Montreux, Switzerland. Lake Geneva in the background.

I arrived on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 with my good friend, Kari. We had the same connecting flight from Washington D.C. to Geneva, Switzerland. It was an interesting start the trip. Due to the air traffic controller sequestration debacle, my first flight was delayed and I had to sprint through two concourses (with a 25-30 pound hiking backpack and tote bag, mind you) to make the connection. Kari was awesome enough to stall for time at the gate, and refused to board until I made it.  I showed up sweaty and disgusting, but it was worth it.

 Kari (pictured) and I climbed the hill from the train station to Mom's apartment with all our luggage.

The first day in Switzerland started with a train ride to Mom's apartment, then a (longer than intended) nap, then a tour of the Chateau de Chillon in Montreux. Neat castle with gorgeous views and lots of interesting history. We were a little disturbed at the water quality surrounding the castle after seeing the latrines were basically a seat with a hole that let waste drop right into the water and learning that dead prisoners were thrown out of the castle right into that poopy water.

View from the keep at the Chateau de Chillon.

Kari, with the Chateau de Chillon in the background.

On Thursday, Kari and I boarded an early morning train to Milan, Italy. It was delayed by about an hour, but we made it there in plenty of time to check into our (very clean and cute) hostel called La Corte de Milan. I highly recommend staying there if you are visiting... However, downsides were scarce hot water and a semi-broken door handle.

I think the Milano Centrale train station is majestic

We did some shopping in the fashion capital, then had a delicious Italian meal at Maruzzella Ristorante and Pizzeria. We ate dinner from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. in true Italian fashion. And although our lovely Italian gentleman of a waiter spoke zero English, we managed to order enough wine to entertain ourselves for the two hour meal. :)

House wine is the way to go! Cheap and yummy!

The next day, Kari and I visited the Duomo and the Castello Sforzesco. I had visited these attractions with my boyfriend, Scott, in February of 2012, but this was still a new experience, because it was about 70 degrees outside, instead of 30. I enjoyed it.

Piazza del Duomo with Kari

Had to get our daily gelato fix - I love pistachio!

Walking to the Castello Sforzesco (in the background)

The Sempione Park behind the Castello is lovely in spring!

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Throwbacks to February 2012

In front of the frozen fountain by the Castello

Sempione Park covered in snow (still pretty!)

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After seeing the sites, Kari and I boarded a high-speed train for Florence, Italy. We stayed one night in a mixed-dorm style hostel on a very busy and loud street (it was Friday night, mind you). Although the hostel situation was not the best, we made the most of our stay there, by indulging in some Margherita pizza and local Chianti wine. A delicious and cheap meal - one of the many reasons I enjoy visiting Italy.

Margherita pizza and Chianti. "I love cheese."

On Saturday, we journeyed outside the city limits for a Vespa Tour of the Chianti Region of Tuscany! This was the highlight of our trip to Italy. We had so much fun out in the countryside, with vineyards and villas dotting the landscape. Included in our tour was a nice lunch with wine tasting at the Principe Corsini Villa. The forecast called for 100% chance of rain, but somehow we managed to only see about five minutes of rain while we were indoors eating lunch, then later while we were indoors eating gelato. Someone was looking out for us.

Vespa Tour!

Tuscan vineyards :)

At the Principe Corsini Villa

Lunch with wine tasting at the Villa was included with the Vespa Tour

After a wonderful day of touring Tuscany, Kari and I almost missed our train home. We managed to find our way onto a sold-out train to get home and sat in the luggage rack that smelled like Formaldehyde, thus our faces in this photo. #Europeproblems

"What if there is a dead body in there?"

 Such an exciting and memorable trip with my friend, Kari!

And now I am back, taking a relaxing break before Kari and I meet up with two of my other friends, Michelle and Tim. We will be visiting Interlaken and Zermatt, Switzerland by train. I will have a new post after that trip. See you soon.

Abby :)