Spending the month of June in Europe has been an incredibly surreal experience, and it's bittersweet knowing my journey will end in just four days. This past month has flown by, yet it feels like I've been here for a year; funny how time works like that! I've had the joy of traveling to four different countries, each offering a unique cultural experience. From Italy to Slovenia, Germany to Austria, this month has been packed with delightful surprises and unforgettable moments!
I spent most of this month in Venice and Trento, Italy, which served as our home bases, allowing me to explore extensively! In Venice, we, of course, took a gondola ride through the canals, which was absolutely amazing. Our guide informed us that all the gondola drivers work independently, not for any company, and that the boats cost around 40,000-60,000 euros. They use the tours to pay off the cost of the boat! Trento was an absolute blast! In just three days, we went on top of a glacier, saw a stunning lake that looked just like a Bob Ross painting, went sailing on Riva del Garda, and toured a winery in Mezzocorona!
We also took weekend trips to three other countries: Ljubljana, Slovenia; Munich, Germany; and Innsbruck, Austria! We made the most of our short stays in each place. Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, was stunning. Despite its size, it felt like a small town. We hiked to a castle, took a river boat cruise, and explored the city. Munich, possibly my favorite stop, was absolutely amazing. Their metro system is wonderful and very easy to navigate, and it’s also a very walkable city. We did a four-hour bike tour, riding around the city and seeing all the highlights and important landmarks. Innsbruck, despite being our shortest trip, was one of my favorites; it’s an adorable city nestled in the middle of the Alps. We took a cable car to the highest point in Innsbruck and enjoyed the most beautiful view. I must say, it’s true—the hills are very much alive!