If You've Caught the Travel Bug...

In the wake of last weekend's blizzard (which trapped me in my apartment for 3 days due to my lack of appropriate footwear for the weather) I've been thinking a lot this week about sunnier times.  Last semester, I was able to study abroad in Rome, Italy.  My semester abroad not only allowed me to eat ridiculous amounts of pasta and gelato, but also gave me the opportunity to do more traveling than I had ever done in my life.  I visited 10 countries during my time there, and even though every city I traveled to had its own charming aspects, there were some that stood out more than others.  So, here's my definitive list of the top 5 vacation cities that I've visited.

Literally, no filter needed.

1. Santorini, Greece: This was by far the most amazing place I've ever been to.  Santorini has been the filming location for many movies, including Mamma Mia and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and these films definitely do the island justice.  It's full of all kinds of volcanic beaches and is a great setting for anyone looking to snorkel, scuba dive, hike, or just shop.  In between climbing the island's very own caldera and watching the sunset from Oia, the island's capital, I even found time to get a fish pedicure.  10/10 would recommend.  During my 5 days there, my friend and I chose to rent an ATV so that we would be able to see the whole island, and it was definitely worth it.  If you're looking for a vacation that has the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure, Santorini is the perfect place to go.

I refused to leave Krakow without getting a picture with a horse.

2. Krakow, Poland: Krakow gets the number 2 spot mostly because of what a pleasant surprise this city was.  Being in the center of Krakow feels like going back in time to a medieval village.   There's castles throughout the town, horse-drawn carriages everywhere, and cobblestone streets.  On top of the beautiful scenery, their pierogis can't be beat.  About an hour from Krakow is Auschwitz, which is an incredibly moving and educational location to visit.  Krakow is a great city for learning about the history of Eastern Europe!

The famous Tower bridge

3. London, U.K.:Similarly to Krakow, I wasn't expecting to love London.  I really only went there to visit my friend, who was also studying abroad there at the time.  As it turns out, I could probably be happy living in London.  The history of the city, combined with its modern culture made it seem almost like home to me because of its slight similarities to New York City.  I was able to stay in Camden, which is the neighborhood where Amy Winehouse lived and still has a large "punk" influence in its culture.  I was amazed at the diversity between different neighborhoods in London but sadly, I didn't have too much time to spend appreciating every single one!  London is a must-visit for any European traveler. 

The port definitely held most of the activity in Copenhagen.

4. Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen is one of the most unique cities I've been to.  First of all, this city houses some of the nicest people I have ever met.  It's an incredibly serine city filled with laid-back people.  Plus, one of the most famous authors of all time, Hans Christian Andersen
 (made famous by The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, and Thumbelina) lived in Copenhagen.  In fact, one of the houses he lived in is still intact, and it is located in the city's magnificent harbor.  Copenhagen is the perfect location for a peaceful getaway.

My last Italian gelato. Smiling on the outside, crying on the inside.

5. Rome, Italy: I couldn't make this post without giving credit to the city that I called home for 4 months of my life, and it's really hard to summarize my time there.  It's a great place to visit for people who are looking for a completely different culture from the U.S., and even though living there meant a lot of getting used to those differences, I grew to love it and still miss Rome today.  It's my personal belief that literally everything in Rome is beautiful (especially the cuisine).  Rome is another very laid-back city, so I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who's in a rush to see everything.  Nonetheless, there's an endless list of must-sees in Rome, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum, and Piazza Navona.  Another perk of being in Rome is that it's in a central location, so doing day trips to other cities such as Florence or Naples is really convenient.  As cliche as it sounds, Rome will always have a piece of my heart, and I think everyone should visit it during their life!