After our wedding, Michael and I were juggling so much we decided to just take a so called "mini-moon" to Hocking Hills in southern Ohio. We stayed in a gorgeous cabin for a long weekend where we went hiking and horse back riding and just enjoyed being newlyweds. Looking back it was the best idea we had to NOT take our European vacation right after the wedding!
For our honeymoon, we spent two weeks criss-crossing Europe by plane, bus and water taxi. 14 days, 8 countries and way too many beautiful adventures that we are still trying to comprehend actually witnessing on our trip. We originally decided to visit Europe because Michael and I have spent most of our education learning about the wonders of Art History. He, being an art teacher, and myself, being a photographer, we have spent many years learning about the most beautiful artists and their creations. We thought the best way to celebrate our love for each other AND the artists we've spent so much time with, was to go and visit them in person!
It was both of our first time out of the country so we looked up travel companies and decided on the Rick Steve's Best of Europe in 14 days. It hit the biggest bang for our buck and the things planned on the itinerary was more than our little brains could imagine. I had a lot of anxiety from the fear of flying to visiting these huge important places during times of national unrest. But I wasn't going to let my fear stop me from the most amazing experience. After a few hiccups (being left at Charles De Gaulle Airport by our transportation and paying a random "UBER" to take us to the hotel) Michael and I became pros of traveling these new cities and countries.
It seemed that I learned almost a lifetime of lessons in just those 2 weeks. I have traveled through the United States here and there but with this being my first real international trip I felt like it really changed my outlook on a lot of life. So if you are still interested past this point, here are some lessons that I learned from my Europe Trip!
1. Make sure you and your travel buddy have a strong relationship.
Michael and I both agree those two newlyweds could not have handled this trip a year ago. It was too new, our communication was not as strong as it is today and the lessons we learned through our first year of marriage were so necessary when traveling in unknown countries.
2. PACK LIGHT. You do not need as much as you think you do.
I was determined to only take a carry on and a personal item to Europe. NO CHECKED BAGS. I read that it was so much easier to travel this way through Europe and I wanted to prove to myself I wasn't high maintenance. Also I didn't want to loose my luggage on a two week tour. And guess what, we did it. Two weeks, three pairs of shoes, a teeny hairdryer, and a weeks worth of clothing. And I couldn't imagine taking anything more. It taught me that I don't need as many things on this trip (or in life) as I think I would.
3. Try new things, even if you think you might not enjoy it.
Our favorite memories of this trip was in a country we both weren't even really interested in going to. Switzerland was hands down the most beautiful place we both have ever seen AND IT WASN'T EVEN ON OUR RADAR. It was where I overcame my fear of heights. It was where we hiked behind waterfalls and across cliffs. It was where we found inspiration to live a simpler and calmer life. This stop on the tour seemed boring and we just wanted to get on to Venice, but Switzerland was breathtakingly perfect.
4. There is a difference between being a traveler and being a tourist.
As many of the "tourist trap" places we found ourselves in, Michael and I made sure we did things unique to each country. We found ourselves sitting off of the beaten path and drawing for a half an hour by a tree under the Eiffel Tower. There were mass amounts of people there that Sunday, but for that little bit of time, it was just the two of us. We got up early and stayed out later than the "day-trippers." This was the biggest lesson we learned in Venice. We went to the oldest fish market bright and early, before anyone but the fisherman even thought of waking up. We stayed out later to watch the streets flood under the moonlight and see the last gondola ride wrap up. It was truly amazing to visit these place as the locals do everyday.
5. The most fun you can imagine is outside of your comfort zone.
Normally I just watch when it comes to group activities, but I promised myself to do something out of my comfort zone each day. Because DUH, when will I ever be in these places again in my life. Now, I have played the Alpine horn, danced and yodeled with a Swiss musician, climbed the Swiss Alps, walked up and down the Eiffel Tower, saw the greatest art in the world and all because I didn't listen to my fears.
6. S L O W D O W N
They have it right over there. One of my favorite lessons on this trip was to actively slow down. Slow down your pace. Slow down your eating. Slow down your sight seeing. Just s l o w i t d o w n. Do you know how much more you can see by taking a slower pace. Don't get me wrong, we had a fast paced trip but when we actively focused on being in the present moment, enjoying the beauty around us, things just seemed to become magical.
7. The happiest of moments are often the simplest.
Two hours of conversation over a glass of wine. Sitting on a bench, sunbathing with the Parisians. The second gelato stand you hit up on your walk around Florence. Dinner under the maple tree in Tuscany. These are the things that I remember. These are the memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.
It is easy to just reminisce over a trip. It is easy to post pictures of the beautiful places for another "like" on social media. My goal of this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime adventure is to learn from it. Don't just gaze back as a memory, but to use my adventures going forward in my every day life. Learn to slow down the mundane activities and realize how special they are. Go and do something out of your comfort zone. Volunteer to do something you never thought you could. I want to live and learn and travel . . . So that is what we will do!