Lake Bracciano

I had no idea what to expect upon arriving to Lake Bracciano. This lake is an hour drive from Rome in the region of Lazio. I initially had the chance to visit Rome again, but opted out instead only because I have seen it before and was more interested in a change of scenery. Instead of seeing historical monuments and cathedrals, this time I had the chance to see Lake Bracciano and it was the perfect day trip. With the calm lake and peaceful town, I was able reconnect with nature and it also felt like being back at home, especially being surrounded with the lush greenery.  Out of coincidence, I felt as though my floral jumpuit was an appropriate choice for this outing since it was cool, breathable, and casual and it definitely blended in with the natural setting.

First Stop: Venice

I can not tell you how much I love Venice. There is so much culture, art and history. I actually just arrived onboard that evening while the sunset over looked the islands and was ready to get out and explore this beautiful and enchanting city. This was my third time visiting this magnficent land built on canals and bridges and yet there are still many secret passages leading you to unknown, but exciting discoveries.

I was in a rush to get out which meant I needed to throw on something quick! At night it tends to be a little bit more chilly so I threw on my favorite black jumper and my "go-to shorts" of summer 2014. I also wanted to wear a pair of my black strappy heels for a more dressy feel, but opted to put on my brown sandals to be more comfortable, plus I knew it would be easier to walk around Venice due to the uneven pavements. My boyfriend and I walked around Palazzo Ducale passed Saint Mark's Basillica through Piazza San Marco until we ended up near the Grand Canal. That's when we decided to have dinner near the Rialto Bridge. It was perfect way to end the night drinking white wine and eating one of Venice's typical dish, Bigoli. Delicious! 

 Rated as one of the top destination in the world, Venice is definitely a must. A great romantic getaway I would say! 

Can you believe that this city has 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges? AMAZING! 

One of my fav movies was filmed here! Italian Job!

Every Hundred Feet the World Changes - Roberto Balano

It's been a while since I've posted about my whereabouts. For an update, Nicola had gone off to Germany, then later returned to Toronto for a family visit which consisted of a vacay to Cuba. As seen in her last post, she is definitely enjoying herself with her friends and family.

Meanwhile, I continued to live in Sicily as I worked up some magic at school. Luckily, I was able to take some time off and have my own little adventure. It was a great opportunity to reflect and get inspired!

When I was working on the ship I was very fortunate to have met the love of my life. Since my boyfriend still works on the Dawn Princess as an officer, I was lucky enough to tag along for two weeks and travel with him. When I'm onboard I love walking around the deck, smelling the fresh scent of the sea, while the strong winds sweep my hair from side to side--  not to mention taking in the beautiful sights of Europe!

I believe that cruising is the best way to travel. I always tell people that it's almost like a taste tester but for traveling. It allows me to discover different parts of the world in one dose! That way, if you enjoy a particular location you can definitely return for your next trip since you already know what to expect.

Here is a sneak preview to the different ports I visited....

  

    

  

Can you guess which cities I visited?

xo Stephanie