Mother/Daughter Adventures: Europe 4

Monte Carlo and Italy
After having our fill of France, we set off for Italy. We returned our car to Dijon and jumped on the overnight train to Monte Carlo. Arriving just in time for a quick pastry and look-see at the yachts next to the casino I felt as if I was in a movie. Our layover on the French Riviera was brief and we were off to Rapallo, Italy.
We lived like princesses at Hotel Miramare in Santa Margherita Ligure. Another highlight was our after-dinner excursion to the upscale club where we danced with two American Fleet Enema salesmen! On the cab ride home we listened to Ace of Base “All that she Wants.” What a fun couple of days!

Florence
Via TGV we headed to Florence where we saw The David and toured the Uffizi Gallery. This was a foreshadow of my life as my studies brought me back to Florence two years later.
We’d fallen in love with Armando Pollini shoes in the states and were on a mission to find a store in Florence. The beauty of the shoes was that you could spend a day in them and NOT look like an “ugly American” (in white high top tennis shoes with socks up to our knees).

Venice was our final spot. We stayed at Hotel Monaco and had Bellinis at Harry’s Bar (Travel Tip #3: It is sacrilege not to do this).

I was officially taken with travel and Italy. I am so appreciative and feel fortunate to have had these invaluable experiences!

CALL TO TRAVEL!
When your parents/friends ask you to go with them on a trip: GO! I am so grateful to my adventuresome, teacher-mother and her love of food and fun.
Life is short___enjoy these moments while you can.
Embrace the grace of learning someplace new!
Next up: Portugal, it turns out they’ve got some great wine too!

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