My Trip to Europe (Part 2)

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Hello beauties!

This is the second leg of the trip, if you want to read about the first leg, click here. This part of the trip was by far the funniest, challenging, and eye opening. The night that we left, the attack in Nice happened. My heart and prayers go out to the victims and the families affected. Even though we weren't in the general area, the thought that it could happen anywhere hit me. But let's move on and talk about my favorite part of the trip, Italy!

ITALY

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We arrived to Italy, via night train. We stopped in Milan to transfer for a train to Florence. When we reached Florence, not even 20 minutes of being in the city, me and my friend were flirted. After that, I knew I was going to love it here. Italy has an atmosphere where, you feel included even if you're a tourist. I could see myself, maybe 5 years after college, living in Florence or Rome (definitely Rome).

• Day 9: Train from Milan to Florence, visited the Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo's David), tour of Il Duomo (Florence Cathedral), tour of Florence, visited Leonardo Leather and Gold.
• Day 10: Left Florence, three-hour bus drive to Rome, visited the Pantheon, tour of the Colosseum, visited the Trevi Fountain.

Il Duomo

Trevi Fountain

• Day 11: Explored the Domitilla Catacombs, St. Paul's Basilica, drive to Vatican City, tour of the Sistine Chapel, walk around St. Peter's Basilica, stopped at Della Palma (gelato), pizza party!
• Day 12: Left Rome, two-hour bus drive to Pompeii, tour of Pompeii, hour bus drive to Sorrento, shopping time in Sorrento, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Trevi Fountain was so gorgeous. Fun fact, when you visit the Trevi Fountain, there are two rituals, one must partake. If you're married you throw one coin over the opposite shoulder, one for "returning to Rome, and one for luck with your marriage". For single people, you do the same thing, but with three meanings. One for "returning to Rome, finding love, and luck with your marriage. The catacombs were really cool. To think that all of the holes in the wall were filled by men, women, and children blew me away.

• Day 13: (Last full day in Italy) Boat ride from Sorrento to Capri, boat tour of Capri, walking tour inside Capri, walked through the Gardens of Augustus, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea (again), boat ride from Capri to Naples, three-hour bus drive back to Rome.
• Day 14: Travel Day (Back home)

Flowers in the Gardens of Augustus

Mediterranean Sea near Capri

This trip has been the absolute dream of a lifetime! I'm so blessed and honored that I got to share this trip with some of the most amazing people ever! They have made my summer so much better. I'm also thankful for the amazing tour guide who was ever so patient with us and was an overall cool person.

This trip could not have been possible for me without the never-ending support from my parents and my family. I thank you all and God bless!

If you want to know more about my trip, please leave a question in the comments, or if you want to know more information, please visit eftours.com.

Until next time,

Raven

My Trip to Europe (Part 1)

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Hello beauties!

Almost two weeks ago I was embarking on my first plane ride, my first time out of the country, longest time being away from my family. I was on my way to the cities of my dreams. I was about to start the best two weeks of my life.

But let me rewind and give you the back story. One of my classes in my senior year, was AP European History, APEH. I took this class to be with friends, but also to have my favorite teacher, Ms. Wood again for a final time. Upon taking this class, one of my friends found out that there is a company, EF Tours, who has a trip that follows the curriculum of APEH. Fast forward eight months later and here I am.

I had the absolute time of my life! As said earlier, this was my first time on a plane, first time out of the country, and the longest I've been away from my family. Everyone asks me "Weren't you scared on the plane?", I respond with "No, because I'm covered with prayers." Another question that I seemed to get was "Did you have any expectations or which place did you want to see the most?" I'd say, "I tend to not have expectations for anything, because if those expectations aren't met to my standards, I'm the one who feels let down or disappointed. The place I was excited about the most was Italy and it definitely delivered!" But enough of the Q & A, let's start with London!


UNITED KINGDOM

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London was a pleasure to stay in. It reminded me of a much, much busier Ann Arbor, which was something I could handle. Although we were in London for two days we saw, and learned so much about the city. I could definitely see myself living here after college.

• Day 1: Travel Day
• Day 2: Arrived in London, went to the hotel, commuted by the London Underground or "The Tube" to Piccadilly Circus, visited The National Gallery of London, walking tour of London, dinner at the O2.
• Day 3: Guided bus tour of London, London Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Wicked at Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Buckingham Palace

The National Gallery of London 

 FRANCE

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When we first arrived in France, we arrived in Paris, but then took a three-hour bus drive NW to a little town called Grandcamp-Maisy. This little town is absolutely gorgeous! I wanted to just thrive in it. It's a fisherman town, right on the coast of the English Channel.

• Day 4: Travel Day, Eurostar from London to Paris, three-hour drive to Grandcamp-Maisy, free-time to explore the town.
• Day 5: Le Memorial de Caen, Pointe du Hoc Beach, Omaha Beach, Normandy American Cemetery.

Grandcamp-Maisy

The time at all the D-Day memorials, really struck a cord with me. I think it's one situation where you just learn about an event versus actually visiting the location of the event itself. The stories of brothers and families that sacrificed so much, whether it was their decision or not, really put me in a mindset of gratefulness and thankfulness.

• Day 6: Left Grandcamp-Maisy, four-hour drive to Paris, Notre Dame, shopping on Avenue des Champs Elysées, train to the Eiffel Tower, boat ride on the Siene, photoshoot at the Eiffel Tower.
• Day 7: Guided bus tour of Paris, Arc de Triomphe, Palace of Versailles, dinner at Le Boeuf Gros Sel, free-time in Montmarte.

Eiffel Tower

• Day 8: The Louvre (Mona Lisa!), shopping at Avenue des Champs Elysées again, board the night train to Florence.

The time in Paris was so much fun! Growing up I've always wanted to visit this beautiful city. When we visited the Eiffel Tower, it was around the time it was just starting to light up, and I truly understood why it'c called the "City of Lights". At night the entire area just brightens and becomes a beautiful sea of colors.

Well this is just the first half of this trip! I hope you've enjoyed reading thus far! Leave a comment or a question about the trip, and I'll be happy to answer!

Until next time,

Raven

Welcome to My Blog!

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Hello beauties!

My name is Raven Tipton and I'm a senior in high school. I plan on attending Central Michigan University in the fall. #FireUpChips

I created this blog to be an outlet for me talk about my dreams, likes and dislikes, and anything in general. I'm an aspiring traveler. This summer, I'll be going to Europe! (This will be my first flight on a plane). Hopefully as the years progress, I'll be able to visit all the countries that I've dreamed about. Countries such as:  Spain, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, possibly Cuba, and many more!

I'm also a really big fan of makeup! So you'll see a lot of makeup reviews, raves, and rants from me. My personal favorite brands are: Benefit Cosmetics, Urban Decay, Sephora Collection, and NYX Cosmetics. 

Another thing I'll definitely be talking about would be college. With college around the corner for me, I'll be talking about the strengths and weaknesses that is college life. I'll even have blog posts about the steps for prospective college students. I don't know if you know, but college is the ultimate struggle for a high school senior. Trying to find the right college, creating plans while attending, and financial aid are some of the decisions that I've had to face. But don't let it scare you away from attending.

These are some of the topics that I'll be covering, and in the future more. I hope that you find my blog to be a fun, little outlet to read, or to find some serious advice for the next step!

Until next time,

Raven