European Summer

In the process of packing for our trip to California, it dawned on me that I hadn't posted about any of our summer trips! It's been a busy few months filled with visitors and adventures. We can't believe we are heading to the States yet again-- this time for my brother's wedding. It's sure to be an awesome time, but I want to update you on our awesome summer time first! Here's a photo compilation of our very busy (but amazing) European summer:

C toasting our trip to Lithuania (gorgeous country)

One of several amazing cathedrals in Vilnius, Lithuania

Hill of Three Crosses; seven Franciscan monks were allegedly crucified here.

 

Our first rijsttafel (Indonesian variety of meats and veggies) in Den Haag

The International Court of Justice, Den Haag

We ended our weekend in Den Haag at the beach-- it was perfect!

Palacio Cibeles, Madrid

Our birthday paella at La Barraca, voted best paella in all of Madrid!

Edificio Metropolis, Madrid

C took us on an amazing trip through Portugal; this was our first port tasting in Porto.

Sunset view from our dinner table in Porto

Hanging on a boat tour in Porto

Crazy mosaic streets in Lisbon

Walking down Rua Augusta in Lisbon-- so colorful!

Next stop: Lagos, Portugal. This was 10 yards from our hotel.

We later went kayaking through the rock formations in the distance-- so fun and beautiful!

Final stop in Portugal: Faro

We posted up on a semi-deserted island. It was heavenly!

Kelsey and Phil came to visit!

My parents came to visit!
My dad, Uncle Carlos, and C at one of our favorite bars in Brussels

 My mom and Aunt Lori

 We took them to Paris...

...to Normandy (boys & their toys)

C and I on Omaha Beach, Normandy

 We took them to Germany (here's Cochem castle)....

Dad and my "other brother", Keith.

C and I in Ghent

My new friend Stevi; I met her and her husband (Luke) in the airport. Yay for American friends in The B!

 

 

Oktoberfest in Munich

 

Inside the Ochsenbraterei tent; they roast an entire ox ALL day for us drunkards to feast on.
 

Entering Dachau concentration camp, just outside of Munich.

Arbeit Macht Frei: work makes you free.

 

While C worked in Pinto, Spain, I went and explored the path of Don Quixote.

This little peanut came with me (and threw rocks the whole time).

We sat front row at a Real Madrid game in Valencia, Spain!

We biked through Valencia with our friend, Dave.

Standing under the bell atop the cathedral in Valencia.

Got to see my former London roommate, Eric, and his girlfriend in London.

 Amazing day on Mermaid Quay in Cardiff, Wales

 

The Millennium Center in Cardiff: "In these stones, horizons sing".

Lastly, WE GOT ENGAGED! It was a perfect proposal in our favorite part of France-- couldn't be happier!


Ciao!
B + C

 

Bath & Stonehenge

C reminded me earlier this week that I have yet to post about our trip to England. We've been to London several times, but we were able to extend one of those trips to see Bath and Stonehenge. I've seen both of these locales before, but it was fun sharing it with C. And let's face it, traveling now as an adult is totally different than traveling around as a 19-20 year old; now we do a little more than sleep and drink beer!

Bath is about 100 miles southwest of London; it's green, lush, fairly quiet, and quintessentially English. I love it. The ancient roman baths are the main attraction, but for literature buffs like myself, Jane Austen's former home rivals the draw of the baths. C enjoyed deciphering the plumbing and mechanics of the baths (he is SUCH an engineer), while I watched tourists take selfies with their iPads. But seriously, the Baths are both beautiful and interesting. It's amazing how well preserved they are! The city of Bath is really neat, too, as it has several pedestrian-only areas filled with restaurants, shops, street performers (read: guy on 15 ft. unicycle juggling flaming torches), and street vendors. I love me a good street dog with English mustard, which I indulged upon while dragging C over to Jane's house. I sat on her stoop. Life complete.

Day two in Bath meant a day trip out to Stonehenge, which is very accessible from Bath and it's surrounding (but less cool) cities. One of the most famous sites in the world, archaeologists estimate it was erected anywhere from 3000 to 2000 BC. The site includes the iconic circle of stone arches, as well as surrounding burial grounds, all declared a World Heritage Site (one of a few we've been blessed to see) by UNESCO in 1986. The downsides to visiting "the henge" are you can't walk straight up to the stones, touch them, walk through the middle of the circle, etc. You're guided around the circumference via a roped off path. We were there on a particularly crowded day, which meant lots of photo bombing, but also lots of path-clogging. C was a little disenchanted, but he enjoyed the experience overall. It's definitely a must see if you're in the area!

C standing in front of "his" house at Bath University

On the steps of Jane Austen's house

View of Bath Abbey from the largest of the roman baths

Stonehenge

Us at "the henge"

Ciao!

B + C

 

 

Antwerp and Oostende

Both Antwerp and Oostende are about an hour from our home in Brussels. Antwerp is a bustling city, famous amongst travelers and musicians (many concerts are held here); Oostende is adjacent to Brugge, but coastal, and it's full of WWII history. C and I decided to make day trips to each of these locales and we're glad we did!

Antwerp is the most densely populated municipality in both Flanders and Belgium, which you'd never know by visiting. The streets were clean and quiet, there were cafes with private patios on quiet squares, and I could hear the clippity-clop of horse drawn carriages blocks away. Antwerp's Central Station is especially stunning, as it boasts an incredible glass dome. Their Grote Markt ( a grand market/great square) is similar to Brugge and Brussels, but I found it a tad more charming. We also spotted a zoo and several really pretty churches, as well as a cool castle along the water. All in all, our day in Antwerp was just a day of walking and observing, but the weather was beautiful and the city was, too!

C researched Oostende after hearing a bit about its history with WWII. It's home to a large portion of the Atlantic Wall, which was an extensive system of coastal fortifications used by the Nazis; it's also home to the only surviving Nazi battery in the world. We were able to tour the battery, which essentially sits along and atop the wall. We wound through narrow passages and tunnels as we listened to a very thorough and interesting audio guide (not usually the case); interrogation rooms, spy rooms, communication posts, and ammunition bunkers have been restored and are open during the tour. I'm personally very into WWII history, as is C, so this was an especially interesting tour for us. Someone was very interested in the guns and torpedos, also. I don't think I have name names. In short, we'd highly recommend a visit to Oostende if you're ever in the area!



Walking along the wall/battery

Giant gun, ocean view

 

 

Standing guard

Antwerpen Central

Town Hall Antwerpen

Cool castle down by the water; it's been everything from a prison to a concert hall!

Hanging out by the Port Antwerpen

Ciao!

B + C