Where to Next: My Travel Plans

Today’s blog is a shorter one but focuses more on a key part of my life that is important to me, travel.?

When you immerse yourself in a new place or culture and walk away with a new perspective and knowledge, you find the most rewarding experiences. Last year, my best friends from my hometown were all studying abroad. With a little planning, I was able to visit a few friends in Italy and another group in Spain. We shared tours of beautiful sites and sounds of each region while getting to experience the culture and nightlife. Seeing the historical venues in Rome, Florence, and Barcelona is nothing short of spectacular. Studying these places in school does not compare to seeing sites like the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, The Colosseum, and The David and La Sagrada Familia in person. It is something that I will never forget and makes me want to visit and explore many more iconic historical places.?

Of course, you cannot discuss these countries without mentioning the amazing cuisine and wines. It is worth the trip just to taste the food! The fresh pasta and smooth paired white wine in Italy and the authentic rich ribeye steak with chimichurri in Spain.? You can taste the authentic cuisines that have made each of these regions world famous. The tomatoes in Italy and olives in Spain tasted like someone just picked it out of the garden and they probably did!????

Although I loved my travels to foreign lands, my #1 current goal is to visit all 50 states that make up this beautiful country. So far, I have visited 22 states and each one has something unique that makes it stand out. Colorado, Utah, New Jersey, and Arizona all have mountains but it is very different in each state and worth seeing. California and Florida both have amazing beaches and of course, NY has landmarks and a vibe that rivals London and Paris. The vast desert and heat in Nevada compared with the greenery and chill of Vermont. I am looking forward to a road trip soon to see many more states and hope to see all 50 before I turn 50!?

My travels and experiences with different people and cultures, it allow me to learn about this world and what makes us all different but yet, have certain similarities. Understanding these things makes you a more well-rounded individual and have an appreciation for your culture and the many diverse cultures all around us.?