TOUR OF EUROPE: Florence, Tuscany, and Cinque Terre.

Florence is gorgeous.  Actually all of Italy is gorgeous. but seriously, very city seems to have it's little things that just make it so perfect.  

Florence is a wonderful city, full of art and leather.  The statue of David resides in Florence, as well as some of the best leather products you can find at wondrous prices! 

We had a tour through the city and did some fun shopping in the markets before we boarded the bus to head off to our evening in Tuscany for Wine Tasting. Now when I heard wine tasting I expected sips of various delicious wines, ha, more like bottles on bottles of wine. Literally. But it was a great and FUN experience. And I ordered some Italian wine to be shipped home which I still have in my fridge waiting to be opened...

GWC drinking vino Under the Tuscan Sun

Imagine this... times 5. Yup, that's a lot of wine. 

CINQUE. FREAKING. TERRE. Enough said.  No seriously, if you ever have a chance to go here, DO NOT HESITATE. It's amazing! So relaxing, blue waters, beautiful buildings, just heaven in Italy.  This was one of the best days one this trip. Swimming out into the water and turning back and looking at the beach and land, it indescribable. I have seen pictures of this place on Pinterest and let me tell you actually being there is awesome! 

Out of the five towns we traveled from Monterozzo, to Vernazza, to Manarola. One was great for a beach day, the other was where we had linch, and the last included cliff jumping and delicious lemon gelato! 

TIPS:

• Buy something made of leather. ANYTHING. 
• Eat gelato.
• Drink wine.
• Relax in Cinque Terre! and jump off a cliff! 

HOSTEL:

• Pros:
• Best Hostel yet!
• Rooms were large!
• A special floor of rooms specifically designed for women!
• The bar and restaurant downstairs were on point! They had CORONAS! But the bartender had NO CLUE how to "dress a beer" so I had to give him a lesson. and the restaurant had so many yummy affordable options available and breakfast was great too!
• We met a lot of cool people from New Zealand and other trips while we stayed there.
• Cons:
• NONE!