(^traditional Croation bread - Sirnica)
Split
Dubrovnik
(Old City)
Salzburg - simple and sweet.
As pathetic and selfish as it may seem, I am quite exhausted from the chaos and magnitude of the large European cities. Spring break has left me running on fumes and my morning coffee, so when thinking of the following weekend's travel options, I found Salzburg to be a shining light.
I was not quite sure what to expect from Salzburg but I knew what I wanted - a relaxed adventure. And Salzburg provided just that.
Although the weather put a dismal mood up above, it did not dampen our moods down below the clouds. Each morning we rose with the sound of music (quite literally as our hostel played the soundtrack in the lobby) and quite contentedly explored Austria.
We rolled through Austria's countryside, strolled through alleys looking for markets selling oversized pretzels, overindulged in authentic goulash, glided through gardens, and danced our way through the Sound of Music tour.
The architecture in the city was clean and comfortable while the houses in the countryside were preciously authentic with their scalloped roofs and shutters painted with edelweisses.
We spent our nights in deep conversation or singing Queen in the corners of Irish pubs which were truly my favorite parts of the weekend. I have come to really value quality conversations and the people that can carry them out. Good company and good conversation. I don't think I could say it enough.
Salzburg was the breath of fresh air that we needed and the rainy day I had been craving. Completely satisfied, I was ready to leave but perhaps I will be back one day for a bike tour and a hike through the countryside.
Sometimes you can't explain why a place holds you still. Sometimes it's just a feeling...
Ever since I was young, Paris has been on my adventure-radar. I am not quite sure what first introduced me to Paris, perhaps it was the darling Madeline books my mom would read to me, but the idea of Paris has always been filed away and on my list of must-see cities.
When I first opened my sleepy eyes and looked out the train window in Gare de Lyon, I couldn't help but smile. The buildings were exactly as I had imagined with romantic, iron-fenced balconies holding piles of fresh produce and dreamy rooftops littered with small chimneys.
I can't quite describe it, but stepping into the Parisian air filled me with love. Like I said, it's a feeling. I was simply floating.
Three days was just enough to satisfy my soul yet leave me determined to return one day. I have already started craving the crepes, the cozy, overcast skies, the warmly-undertoned buildings, and Ladurée's rose macaroons.
My favorite Paris moment - sitting on a fountain with seven incredible friends, bottles of red wine in hand, and the twinkling Eiffel Tower straight ahead. It was something from a dream, my dream.
Another special moment was getting lost (physically and mentally) in the Louvre. I could spend every Sunday in that magnificent building. We strolled past the Mona Lisa and walked through centuries of incredible art and history as the rain poured.
So until next time, Paris. I will be back one day, for the one-euro baguettes and that indescribable feeling that lingers in the air.
