Arriving at Marco Polo Airport in Venice, my first impressions of Europe was that it was not nearly as humid as Alabama. I was relieved when I finally landed, I had been restless on the plane ride from Atlanta. It was over 12 hours long. We had to take a boat to our hotel, I was blown away by Venice’s beauty. Venice was very nice but had its set backs; the streets often flood at night, leaving everything damp by morning. Venice also has no cars, so we had to take a boat or walk everywhere. My hotel room, shared with another student, was pretty nice as well. The highlight of Venice was definitely the gondola tour, it was so beautiful that I felt like I was in a movie.
Our next stop was Slovenia, a country that was formerly a part of the Soviet Union. The people in Slovenia were extremely nice, and the waiters at restaurants we went to would often talk to us for a long time after ordering our food. It seemed that they loved American people. I tried a local dish that consisted of lamb with a special sauce. It was extremely good.
Trento, Italy, was the next stop on the tour. It had very beautiful architecture. We toured an old cathedral that once hosted the King of the Holy Roman Empire. It was one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen.
After Trento, we went to Munich, Germany. In Munich the modern cityscape reminded me a lot of New York. I tried schnitzel for the first time and enjoyed it a lot.. The blend of modernity with rich culture was a lot different than the other cities in Europe I visited.
After a few days in Munich we went to Innsbruck, Austria. Innsbruck was probably the most beautiful city we visited. Located in the Alps, the city was surrounded by mountains that seemed almost surreal. The great weather and beauty of the landscape made it a highlight of the trip.
After Austria, we returned to Venice for the final leg of the journey. I felt a mix of nostalgia that my trip was coming to an end. A few people in my group including myself all took a day trip to Florence, Italy. The church there was beautiful. As I prepare to return home, I’m reflecting on all of the cool cultures, landscapes, and foods I’ve encountered, and I’m looking forward to sharing these experiences with friends and family. I will never forget how awesome this trip has been. I would recommend that everyone who has the opportunity to go abroad use it.