41. Five Reasons why Florence is like Highschool

Florence, like highschool has long been a hub of culture, history, art, and finance. You’re supposed to emerge a changed person; worldlier, more cultivated, richer in the soul.

But after spending three nights in this popular city, I felt no different. More tired and frustrated for sure – and OK, we certainly had a little fun – but did it all add up to a life-changing experience?

Not really. Every morning we woke up and mulled over whether we should get out and give it another chance, or whether we should stay in bed, or perhaps blow it off completely and find some other city in Tuscany to while away our time in. I’m glad we committed to her, but in the end, it was merely a landmark in our lives to be ticked off the list. Much like highschool.

You’re probably scoffing at me right now, but read our experiences below before you come to your own verdict.

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38. The Best of Cinque Terre

Where in the world can you throw snowballs on top of a mountain pass AND visit the sweltering Mediterranean beaches in one day? Italy, that’s where!

After driving an epic 585km from the Stelvio Pass, through the Swiss Alps, (regrettably) past Verona, and down onto the Italian Riviera, we arrive finally at Riomaggiore – the first of the Cinque Terre, or “Five Villages”.

in the pursuit of | Riomaggiore

View of Riomaggiore from the ferry.

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37. Chur, via the Oberalp and Stelvio Passes

It’s a well-known fact that Switzerland has some of the best driving roads in the world. In fact, the only reason we chose to visit the sleepy town of Chur (pronounced “Cur”) is because of it’s prime location. Nestled in the mountains, with the Oberalp Pass on it’s Western end and the Stelvio at it’s East, it made a perfect pit stop for the evening.


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36. Highlights of Lucerne

There’s romance in the sense of big city Paris, with it’s Eiffel tower and glittering lights, world-class cuisine and glamorous fashions, then there’s romance in the sense of alpine Switzerland; pockets of snow freckle the mountains, each peak scattered with an abundance of fresh, trickling streams; the backdrop to the dongle of cowbells. Hideaway ski resorts tucked around each corner. Hairpin bends through the fir trees… And we haven’t even got to the Stelvio yet.

in pursuit of | Switzerland
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35. One Night in Stuttgart

We arrive at the Hotel Arcotel Camino in Stuttgart, weary after an action-packed day; a morning getting pierced in Paris’ 4th, a cross-country train ride, and an afternoon amongst the great Porsche’s of the last 80 years.

It is long after dark, and we have have just enough energy to trudge into the hotel, our heavy suitcases following closely behind us, clicking quite audibly against the polished floors of the very silent foyer.
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