Ciao Italia!

Since this is a travel blog, and I'm not actually going anywhere till next weekend I figured I mind as well tell some of the stories I already have. So for the next few months (or however long it takes me to run out of good stories) I'll be posting about my spring break trip to Europe. It was a bit different traveling with a large tour group, and while I probably won't do it again, it was certainly an amazing experience. It was a chance for me to travel with my best friend, whom I'll be moving away from next year, and the ideal opportunity to see several of the "must sees" in Europe. I herby present:

Day One

Waiting at the airport

The scene at the airport was almost comical. I'm used to traveling with just my family, so being a part of the huge tour group was definitely a bit different. It takes at least 10 times as long to check in and go through security with 34 other people, but on the plus side you're a lot less likely to get a pat down (I mean what airport staff wants to pat down a teenager while 34 others stand around watching and clogging up the security area?). I spent most of the time in the airport playing cards with a few friends. Our flights went smoothly and I managed to catch the latest Harry Potter film thanks to my complete inability to sleep on airplanes. When worst came to worse I just plugged in my ipod and listened to Bob Marley-My ultimate feel good music.

Once in the Heathrow airport we had to take a bus to Gatwick. It amazed me how green the countryside is in London. It was nothing like my childhood memories of walking for hours though empty grey streets, searching for a place to eat lunch that would allow children into the restaurant. I guess I didn't get the greatest impression of the city the first time around; it would be nice to give it a second chance in the future.

The surprising greenness of London (and the surprising brownness of the roads).

The flight to Venice was short, but when we arrived we still had an hour long bus ride to our hotel in Abano Terme. They served us a full Italian meal of pasta, turkey, and some sort of chocolate log for dessert... So good. By the time we went up to our rooms we were exhausted and stuffed after our 36 hour day, and yet almost too excited to sleep. Tomorrow... Venice.