#i took this photo 5 glasses of sangria deep

[beautiful-bau-beau]

Hello! I am such a huge fan of your writing and its kept me entertained through the boring summer months lol. Anyways, since you were asking for requests, could you do a Spencer imagine, where he has been telling the team that he has a girlfriend but they don't believe him until he shows up to BAU in clothing/with a haircut that the reader bought him? Possibly set in like season 5 when Spencer's wardrobe was particularly "spencer reid"-y.

((I am unbeliveably flattered and actually love this request though I did change it a little bit. The article I mention is from 2014 when season 9 was actually shot but for the sake of the story we’re ignoring it. Also, not that it matters, as a kid I wanted to be a fashion designer and every Christmas I would get Project Runway sketchpads.))

Style

-

Spencer felt a little insecure walking into the office that morning. The suit he wore didn’t feel uncomfortable or itchy in any way, it just felt…unusual…too ‘stylish’ for his tastes. The only reason he was wearing this was for you. 

A week prior

At the feel of your arms wrapping around his shoulders he immediatly shut the files he had ben working on, not wanting you to see any of the photos or read anything that would upset you. You were too pure. His hands came to rest on top of your palms, rubbing them gently. 

“What would you say if i shopped for you?” You asked, leaning your chin upon his shoulder, turning your head to face him. You saw his brows furrow and his bottom lip stuck out unconsciously. 

“You don’t like the way I dress?” You shushed him, pressing a warm kiss to his cheek. 

“I love the way you dress, Doctor, your sweater-vests and slacks will always flatter you, however; that’s not an answer to my question.” He leaned back in his chair, sighing softly. 

“Y/n I go to work to….work,” to catch psychopathic killers, he wanted to say. “Not to flaunt of my fashion skills.” He turned to face you, your eyes playfully narrowed in mock annoyance. 

“Are you avoiding my question because you don’t trust me to dress you?“ 

"I may miss social cues most of the time but I think I’ll be in trouble if I don’t just say ‘yes, you can dress me.’”

“You are a smart man.” You pressed another kiss to his cheek, and he could feel the excitement bubbling up within you, as you left his embrace and started heading to the bedroom. “I’m going shopping tomorrow, you’re going to look great, don’t worry!”

- 

“Spence?” JJ’s jaw dropped in disbelief once her eyes landed on Spencer entering the B.A.U. floor. She stood next to Morgan who had his signature smirk across his face as he took in the new appearance . Emily wolf-whistled, setting her coffee cup down on her desk to clap excitedly, much to Spencer’s embarrassment. 

“Guys…please…” He mumbled, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. “It doesn’t look bad does it?” Spencer wore a white button up underneath a merlot tie, a black vest and an admiral blue blazer with matching slacks. On his feet were dark tipped oxfords, the same shade as his satchel. 

“Holy sweet Jesus!” Garcia exclaimed, eyes wide as she pointed to his blazer. “Spencer you look absolutely amazing! Is that from the new Brooks Brothers catalog?” He looked down, biting his bottom lip. 

“I-uh… I don’t know.” He paused.  "My girlfriend got it for me.“ He admitted with a soft smile. He hadn’t figured out a way to inform the team of his newfound romance, wanting to make sure that unlike other dates or girls in the past like Lila, or god yes, even JJ, that you were a sure thing. 

"Girlfriend? Is that what you’re calling the sales associates now?” Derek laughed, opening his mouth to say something else when he was cut off. 

“New case.” Hotch called everyone to the round table, Rossi standing by his side. “You know,” Rossi exclaimed, eyeing Spencer for a moment. “I like the new look, kid. Stick with it.”

- 

“So, what did everyone think of you in your suit?” You asked, excitement lacing your tone. The two of you sat in his apartment, one of the few occasions that you two were able to have dinner together at a reasonable hour.

“They liked it… I got some compliments.” He smiled softly to himself. You let a breathy chuckle escape you. 

“That’s great! I’m glad they liked it.” You took a sip from your glass. “You liked it, didn’t you? If you didn’t, just lie to me.” You laughed again, studying him carefully to deduce his reaction. 

“I’m not entirely sure. I know that the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology proved that enclothed cognition, wearing a garment with a strong cultural association can affect your cognitive processes, is real, but I think I may still be adjusting to the attention I’m getting.” You paused at his explanation, his words sounding familiar. 

“Not too much attention, I hope.” You teased. “Wasn’t that 'enclothed cognition thing from an article in my… Vogue magazine I threw out a few weeks ago?” You recalled, watching as he shook his head. 

“I have no idea what you’re referring to.” He denied quickly. “Even if women were falling left and right to gain my affection, no one’s attention is worth more than yours.”

“Oh I’m flattered.” You pretended to roll your eyes. “So are you going to let me dress you up tomorrow? I could make you even more attractive than you were today!”

“Yo’re not using me for my body are you?” He asked slyly, causing you to reach across the table to playfully shove his arm. 

“No, I just never had a Ken Doll growing up.” You reorted, rolling your eyes. After a moment you declared, “I’m styling you again tomorrow.” The soft smile on Spencer’s face didn’t go unnoticed.

-

 As soon as Spencer opened the doors to the bullpen he was met with the sound of a camera clicking, the device held in the hands of one Penelope Garcia. 

“I just had to make sure I had evidence in case I wake up tomorrow and think I hallucinated this.” She justified, admiring the photo. “I think that shade of red really suits you. Like a mahogany or sangria…can’t tell which one.” Spencer just blinked as the techie rambled, not entirely sure what she was talking about.

Spencer wore a wine-red blazer and slacks along with a white button up. On his feet and waist he wore a black belt with matching black oxford. You had even convinced him to unbuttoned the top button. He had to admit he did secretly like the dark suit, especially how you picked it out for him.

Spencer had been reading a few of your magazines over the span of your relationship, telling himself that he was only trying to find something to read. A few different magazines had informed him how red was associated with love, passion, desire, romance, joy, courage, along with a few other explicit meanings. Other articles mentioned wearing red meant the wearer was assertive, daring, and powerful, and he couldn’t help but feel more confident.

 Throughout the day the team seemed to pick up on Spencer’s slightly changed attitude, as well as some others around the building.

“Seems like you’re catching a few stares, pretty boy.” Morgan mentioned, his eyes flickering over to a coworker who smiled warmly in Spencer’s direction. The two men were walking from the breakroom to their desks, steaming mugs residing in their grasps.The corner of Spencer’s mouth twitched, although not into a smile. “What?” Derek questioned. “Is she not your type?" 

"I told you yesterday, I have a girlfriend. She’s the one buying my new outfits.” Morgan stared suspiciously. “Do you really think I would be able to throw something like this together in a million years?”

“Touche.” Morgan nodded. “So, when are we going to be able to meet her?” Spencer stilled in thought.

 "I’m sure y/n would want for her and I to plan something out together, so I’ll have to get back to you.“ Spencer headed towards his desk. 

"Hey Reid.” Morgan called before they parted. “Does this girl of yours have a sister?” Spencer couldn’t help but chuckle. 

“Not one desperate enough to meet you.” Spencer answered mischievously, spinning on his heel. 

-

“Are you as excited as I am?!” You exclaimed, rushing around the apartment to make sure everything was going to be perfect. The two of you had decided to invite the team over for a nice dinner you prepared, snacks and refreshments in the kitchen as well. Although you seemed cheery, Spencer could tell you were nervous.

“Y/n you can calm down. Everything is going to be fine. What’s the worst you think will happen?” Your boyfriend asked, resting his hands on your waist to still your frantic movements.

“They’ll profile me as the loser I truly am.” You snickered. “Especially because I was behind the butchering of your lovely locks.” Your fingers threaded through Spencer’s new short hair, slightly frowning.

“Nonsense, I’m sure they were getting tired of seeing my unruly hair grow day after day. I’m glad it’s gone. I was starting to wonder if I would have to join into the 'man-bun’ phase.”

“What do you think of your suit?” You asked, gesturing to his outfit. You gave him a currant red button up with a navy jacket, vest and slacks. The buttons of his jacket were a bright tan, pairing well with the dark colors he wore. You had told him that he was a 'Deep Autumn’ and that dark and warm colors would benefit his skin-tone greatly. To top of his whole look, you tucked a crimson carnation into the lapel of his jacket.

“I feel…confident. Thank you for this. I always felt comfortable in my sweater-vests and button-ups but I believe the new work clothes have given me newfound respect from my coworkers and higher-ups at work.” You both shared a soft kiss before the apartment buzzer went off.

-

You opened the door to find friendly faces smiling back at you. “Welcome! Come on in!” Spencer doesn’t like to talk about work often but he speaks of you all fondly. I won’t pretend to guess who’s who.“ The team entered the living space, introducing themselves.

"Hey!” Spencer joined the group, a grin growing on his face when they all cheered encouragingly at his appearance, greeting his coworkers.

“I’d like to sincerly congratulate you for convincing him to branch out a little bit.” Emily patted your arm.

“Oh!” Penelope cried out happily. “You should come with Emily and I to DeMile’s! They’re having this great big blow-out sale! It’s obvious you have great taste so I wouldn’t object to you styling me every once and awhile." 

Conversation seemed to fade for Spencer who watched as you interacted happily with his friends, a warm smile on his face. He had been made fun of before with some clothing items he had chosen to wear but you had just opened his possibilities and helped to expand his comfort zone. He was so lucky to have someone as caring and patient as you in his life. He knew he would spend the rest of his days trying to make sure he was worthy of someone like you.

#Criminal Minds #Spencer Reid #Spencer Reid x reader #Criminal Minds x reader #Spencer Reid x reider #Criminal Minds x reider #Spencer x reader #Spencer x reider #Spencer reid imagines #Criminal Minds imagines #Spencer reid imagine #Criminal Minds imagine #Criminal Minds fanfiction #Spencer reid fanfiction #Criminal Minds fanfic #Spencer reid fanfic #Criminal Minds fanfics #Spencer reid fanfics

[g9trip]

Porto travel guide: what to see and do

Hey friends! Alexx here again from Finding Alexx and I’m back with a Porto travel guide.

I did a whirlwind extended weekend Portugal road trip last year from the stunning southern coast all the way up to Porto, so when week #14 of my 52 countries in 52 weeks solo trip took me back to Porto, I was excited to have a full seven days to do a deep dive into the city!

Porto has a distinct vibe that sets it apart from the ultra chill Algarve coast and the big city of Lisbon. The city centre is packed full of beautiful tiled buildings and winding alleyways, there are a number of hipster hot spots dotted around town that boast Instagrammable cafés alongside authentic local eateries. Plus, there are plenty of activities on offer to fill out your itinerary, from winery day trips to food tours to river cruises.

So, here’s a Porto travel guide to help you plan your trip to one to my favourite European cities.

Where to stay in Porto

Portugal is one of the countries that has massively embraced hostel culture, so there are loads of budget-friendly places to choose from.

My top pick for Porto is Selina Hostel, an epic backpacker hub with everything you need for your city break. The dorm rooms have pod-style beds with a shelf, privacy curtains and your own light and plugs, as well as private bathrooms and lockers. There are also private rooms available if you’re keen to upgrade to your own space while still making the most of hostel facilities.

Selina has a huge courtyard, an on-site bar, a café serving breakfast and snacks, a work space, a full kitchen and a super cute secret library upstairs if you need some quiet time. It’s easily walkable from a number of tourist sights in Porto, and it’s an 8-minute walk from Trindade Metro Station.

If you stay at Selina, I’m going to let you in on a couple of my top picks for eats and drinks nearby! Espaco 77 is just around the corner and you can get a mini beer for €0.99 ($1.10), Zenith is down the road and has a delicious brunch menu, and Lareira is close by too and is the place to go to for authentic Portuguese snacks and sangria. Bookmark this Porto travel guide t0 impress your new hostel mates with your local knowledge!

How to get around Porto

Like a lot of European cities, thanks to its uneven cobblestones, narrow streets and hills, Porto isn’t so friendly for road traffic. But you’ll be able to get around easily by foot, tram or metro.

A lot of Porto’s must-see landmarks are in the historical centre which you’ll most likely be staying in or near if you’re in a hostel, or it’s accessible by public transport from other parts of the city. It’s a stunning city to walk around, and as always I’d recommend taking side streets to have a better chance of discovering less-touristy shops and eateries. Trams are a novelty and are worth jumping on for a ride and a photo, but they can have long waits since so many other tourists want to do the same.

The metro system is well-connected and is very safe, and there are plenty of city buses too, although they’re subject to busy traffic. For public transport it’s best to get an Andante card (available at stations or convenience stores) for €0.60 ($0.69) and top that up with however much you need. Bus and metro journeys cost €1.20 ($1.38) each, or if you buy 10 you’ll get one free. You can also get a 24 hour unlimited pass for €7 ($8) or a 72 hour pass for €15 ($17) but you’d need to take loads of journeys to make that worth it!

To get from Porto airport to the city centre you can get on the metro for €2.45 ($2.80) which leaves every 20-30 minutes and takes about half an hour, or a taxi will set you back around €23-€25 ($26-28) without traffic.

There’s Uber in the city too but when you take into account the congestion that builds up in the narrow streets, it’s often faster to just walk or catch public transport.

How much to budget for Porto

In terms of the cost of travelling, I would place Portugal as halfway between the cheap and cheerful Eastern European countries and the pricier Western destinations like France and Spain.

Porto is definitely doable on a budget but it’s also one of those places where a little extra cash goes a long way!

For dorm accommodation expect to pay around €10-€15 ($11-17), or you can find a private room at a hostel or pension (cheap hotel) from €30 ($34). If you’re on a tight budget, check to see if your accommodation includes breakfast and/or has kitchen facilities so you can save money in terms of food.

Like a lot of European cities, Porto’s charm partly comes from the historic buildings in the old town, which are obviously free to look at. There are quite a few churches that are free to enter too, including the Porto Cathedral, and public museums are free on Sundays before 2pm.

Cheap restaurants will have mains from around €8 ($9) or you could treat yourself to a fancier meal from €15 ($17) per person. Local beers or a glass of wine starts from €2 ($2.30) or imported beer will cost anywhere from €2.50 to €5 ($2.80-5.70), and you can get an espresso, a pastry and a pasteis de nata for breakfast from about €4 ($4.50).

The best things to do in Porto

This wouldn’t be a Porto travel guide without some suggestions on what to see and do… With a classic mix of culture, cuisine and architecture, Porto’s got more than enough things to see, do and eat for any type of traveller. Here are four of my top picks!

1. Stroll along the Ribiera

Home to Porto’s famous burnt orange tiled rooves, cobbled medieval streets and traditional riverside restaurants, the Ribiera district is Porto’s historical centre and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A wander along the Douro River is a must-do in Portugal, as is seeing the view over the colourful houses from Ponte de Dom Luis, or sitting down for some Portuguese tapas or fresh seafood at one of the authentic restaurants hiding down the maze-like lanes.

Ribiera is by far the most touristy area of the city so if you’re not a fan of crowds (particularly older, touristy crowds) I’d suggest heading there early in the morning, or check it out in the evening when there are live Fado bands playing and restaurants serving up good vibes and even better dishes.

2. See the city’s famous azulejos

When I was putting this Porto travel guide together, I knew I had to include something about the ‘Azulejos’ – the local name for the tiles (usually white and blue) that adorn churches, shopfronts, railway stations and museums throughout the city. They’re a Porto icon, and they were actually first imported from Spain and Italy before Portuguese artists picked up the art in the 16th century and put their own spin on it.

If you walk aimlessly around the city I guarantee you’ll spot some buildings decked out in azulejos, but there are some you absolutely can’t miss.

Three of my favourite churches in the city are Igreja do Carmo, Igreja de Santo Ildefonso and Capela das Almas. All three are covered in blue and white tiles from the floor to the roof, and if you look closely you’ll see religious stories depicted on them.

Another must-see is Sé do Porto, the city’s cathedral, where the cloister is made up of bright tiles and Gothic-style architecture side by side. And if you’re planning on catching a train to the suburbs or out of the city, or even if you’re not, don’t miss the stunning Sao Bento Train Station. A consistent place-getter on lists of the most beautiful railway stations on the planet. There are more than 20,000 tiles that make up the epic mural in the station’s main lobby!

3. Hit the beach

While the Atlantic Ocean can be a lot chillier than Europe’s Mediterranean beaches, it’s still worthwhile to head out to coastal suburbs on your Porto visit.

There are plenty of beaches in Foz do Douro or Matosinhos which are accessible by a short drive or by a 20-40 minute bus journey, from family areas to surf spots to nude beaches. These neighbourhoods have loads of eating options too, so they’re the ideal location to head out for sunset and a bite to eat.

If you have access to a car or don’t mind an hour-long train ride, head 70km south to Aveiro, a charming little city full of Venetian-style canals and colourful fishing boats. The town sits on the edge of a lagoon so there’s no actual beach there, but Costa Nova is a short drive and has beautifully soft sand and Instagrammable beach huts.

4. Soak up the best views

With much of the city standing on steep hills overlooking the river, Porto boasts some stunning viewpoints that are easily accessible and, more importantly, most are totally free!

Although the actual palace no longer exists, the gardens of Palácio de Cristal are one of the city’s most romantic spots to sit and enjoy the view over the Douro. They’re free to enter and open till 9am in summer or 7pm in winter.

For a viewpoint set right amongst the red, orange and yellow historical buildings that Porto is famous for, head to Grilos Church down Rua das Aldas. Or if you want to get high (literally), visit the 75m-tall Clérigos Tower for insane panoramic views – it’ll cost you €5 and there’s over 200 steps, but it’s totally worth it!

I hope this Porto travel guide has been helpful for planning your Portugal trip! Follow my daily adventures and misadventures on Instagram. Or find a cheap flight to Portugal to explore for yourself!

Credit: Source link

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[notjustbacon]

Updates From España (part uno)

Hola Amigos!!

Our time in Spain has literally flown by. Alex and I have enjoyed some lovely sun (with little humidity) and lots of delicious foods and cold bevies. We've taken several rounds of photos and even some videos, but have been slow to edit and post our work because we're savoring the sights and gifts of our travels - can you blame us?! I figured it was about time to give you some updates of our first month in Spain. The next update will come after hiking over 240 kilometers through Camino de Portuguese (the Coastal Way).

Don't worry we'll keep you aprised of all our adventures!!

A day in Zaragoza

Our day began with a train from France and an hour walk to our hotel. It was hot, sticky, and exhausting. Unfortunately, I managed to lose my humor about halfway to the hotel, Nothing a cold shower couldn't fix. The next few hours were spent with cameras in tow and walking around town. We were ecstatic to see the finishing glimpses of a gorgeous wedding, cathedrals, the town square and a fabulous photo exhibit. That evening we ordered agua sin gas to go with our tapas for dinner, and if looks could kill... I am fairly certain the bar keep thought we were a little off in not ordering any cervezas. We didn't care, we enjoyed our feast of 5 plates and went to bed early for our next travel day to Benasque.

Marvels in Benasque

We were so sad to have to leave our super comfy and lush bed from the fancy hotel but were also super thankful for such a restful nights sleep. Again we made the one hour trek back to the station but broke it up by stopping for coffees and breakfast pastries. Our meal was perfect and came in substantial portions! Soon after we arrived at the station and hopped on the bus to Benasque. The ride became increasingly more thrilling as the road grew slimmer and leaned toward a steep ravine on the left side. At one point Alex and I ditched our assigned seats for two open window seats on the left - our mouths hung open and our noses pressed the glass windows as we stared down in wonder. There were more than a few times we held our breath as thoughts of our bus plummeting to the river below seemed imminent. It was not really any different than the thrill one seeks when locked into an excellent roller coaster. Before we knew it we had arrived. We were deep in the mountains of the Pyrenees!

The next day we set out for a 12k hike that traversed up and through two other towns before looping back into Benasque. The hike reminded me of our home in the Pacific Northwest, it was the first time in months since we were actively trekking in less than 70° weather, plus there were trees and ferns and fields around most of our hike. Things that were unlike home include the wild horses running alongside traffic and the towns adorned with cobblestone and centuries of history.

Adventures in Valencia

Unfortunately, I had picked up a cold somewhere in my journey just in time for the event I had been looking forward to for the past year or so. The day before the La Tomatina, I made it my only goal to walk to the hotel, get food, and go to sleep. I was going to enjoy this event no matter what!

The next morning my high spirits pulled me through. We woke up at 5:30 AM, got into our matching outfits, took a picture, got my Go Pro ready, ate breakfast and boarded the bus to Buñol!

We followed our tour bus leader out to Tomato Road and started our march down to the square. The streets were lined with food and drink vendors, people selling flip flops and hats and goggles on towels, as well as the vital port-a-potties. We continued down to the center of town past at least 5 check points: police officers, and security who wanted to make sure there were no selfie sticks or bottle caps on our person... because apparently these can be considered dangerous items when thrown... but cameras and phones were welcome? We discarded our water bottle caps and tucked away Alex's waterproof phone carrier under his shirt. It wasn't until we got home that we discovered the case was not so waterproof.

What I immediately noticed when we neared the official entrance was that all the buildings were covered in various tarps and that the street seemed so clean. As people flooded in and manned their spots in the square we all became one community... Locals had a height advantage (given their terraces overlook the street) and started to drown us with buckets of water, we thought it was chilly and funny all at the same time. It wasn't long before participants wanted in on the fun and began dousing others with their sangria and cervezas... even with their coveted water bottles. At first, this seemed a little naughty, but before long I figured we were all going to be part of the same jar of tomato paste, so what was the harm? At 9 am the ham pole was hoisted up and nailed into place... This is when things went from interesting to messy to graphically dangerous.

Like a natural disaster unfolding in front of me, I could not keep my tempting eyes away from the hundreds of attempts these people sought after. If they only worked together in a planned and orderly human pyramid way, I'm sure they would have won the ham. Instead, they pursued with a sloppy, greedy and impatient persistence where people toppled over and down any team efforts that were coming together. Even after 3 hours of trying, no one got the ham. There were still crowd favorites (amorously cheered on) followed by the villains (that were booed as their glory seeking moments trampled over any real progress that the rest made) going for the ham as the day moved forward.

I was so invigorated by this social phenomenon that my recordings only ran up until minutes before the actual fight. It was then that my Go Pro proclaimed, "nonsufficient memory". Bummed feelings were pushed aside for the food fight of my life. Alex and I took our positions, nodded to our neighbors and cheered on the 6 overloaded dump trucks of tomatoes as they rolled toward us (see our last video called "Tomatina Start").

At times we were pelted, then covered with crushed raw juices and pulp. Our shoes became squishy. Our eyes burned. Our faces stretched with mile wide smiles and we enjoyed the fight. I mostly enjoyed taking revenge on the people inside the dump trucks, who had earlier pelted me with not even ripe white potato-like tomatoes. I learned to wait for the trucks to mostly pass before starting on my tomato barrage.

For that hour, thousands upon thousands of us were transformed back into mostly fun loving children. After the gun sounded the end of the fight people still continued. Some people laid in the red river of goo to pose for their much-revered selfies. Hoards of people waded through mush, taking any escape possible both calmly and with jovial spirits. As we exited we were hammered with water from fire hoses, garden hoses, sink spray hoses and buckets of less than tepid water. The brisk water was shocking and felt like a needed punishment towards renewal. Some people stood in long lines to be meticulously sprayed down while others stood to get the mercy of local garden hoses. It was after leaving this area that my husband discovered his phone was marinading in a quarter cup of water and also then that we realized that the case was not waterproof. So unfortunately, we the phone died and we did not get any before or after pictures... But I do have this video from before the fight called "Tomatina Get Ready".

Everyone was laughing... probably everyone who had given up on the ham and chose a safe and fun fight. The 30-minute walk down to the square turned into a 45-minute walk back, partially because it was up hill, but mostly because the exhaustion took over. Alex and I ditched our 9€ shoes and walked barefoot up the gravel road to our bus, where we stripped away the majority of the remaining and protruding tomatoes. We slipped into our dry clothes and appeared in front of our bus driver for inspection. Luckily we passed, we were granted admission on board because we didn't drip tomatoes and we didn't appear to be in jeopardy of leaving any behind. This was great because it took the rest of my efforts to climb up the stairs and find a couple adjoined seats before I completely sunk into the bus and passed out. We were the first bus of the entire festival to leave the parking lot - yay, go us! This meant we got to the hotel faster and had a quick 5 minutes of hot water before all the hot water was gone. I didn't care, I stood in the shower watching streams of orange leave my scalp and skin in the ice cold shower for a good 15 minutes. I then siestaed like I never had before.

We skipped the after party because we are old fuddy duddy 30-year-olds who prefer rest and good food to the overcooked food and expensive bar drinks. Who knows if I had felt 100% if I would have gone. I did not regret that choice then and I didn't regret it the next day, even when I heard a bro say, "Dude! It was like a huge mansion party - with 6 bars!!" I was like,"Nah man. I got me some exceptional coconut macaroons, sushi, and Jon Oliver last night. You missed out." Okay, I didn't actually say this to him and he never told me about the party... I just overheard him sharing the experience with his new found friend right before they fist bumped and wished each other safe travels.

 ¡Adiós mi amigo!

I'm ending this here because it seems like the exact thing I want from you my friend: A fist bump and well wishes. In return, I thank you for your love and support and wish you well with your own adventures. More soon. 

[marysaldevar]

Late last year, myself and my two girlfriends decided to take on an impromptu Europe trip, as you do. With just 2 months of planning we managed to get ourselves on a plane on the 27th of December 2016 and would not touch Aussie soil for the next 5 weeks. It was without a doubt one of the most crazy things I’ve ever endeavoured to do and the best times of my life. With an insane itinerary, stressful transport timetables and multiple check ins and check outs, we traversed 6 countries and 11 cities to explore the world and ultimately find ourselves (so cheesy but true- soz not soz) Here are some of the highlights…

Germany

I think one of the best things about going when we did was the fact that it was the winter holidays. It means everything was beautiful, lighted and decorated. Also we got to see this massive real Christmas tree in the middle of the Marienplatz in Munich….

We were lucky enough to be able to visit the tallest snowy mountain in Germany, Zugspitze. Needless to say, we were not prepared for this winter wonderland and were on the brink of frostbite. However, the adrenalin filled bobsleds and a hearty German dinner afterwards sure did keep us warm!

We spent New Years in Berlin and it was a night I will never forget. The fireworks, the people, the friendship good times…..We were situated in the middle of a crossroads and so although we weren’t at the main fireworks display we didn’t care because there were literally fireworks going off all around us! (TBH not really safe practice.. umm quite dangerous actually..but good times nonetheless!)

We spent the next few days exploring the East Side Gallery and Checkpoint Charlie

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Amsterdam

Amsterdam was without a doubt one of my favourite cities. So beautiful, so picturesque, like out of a children’s book 🙂

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We rode along the canals at sunset…..

And visited ‘that famous sign’

Paris

Mmmmm Paris; cheese, wine and pastry…..

Oh and escargot. Yeah, I ate that and had no idea how to but was actually quite tasty!

The view from Sacré-Cœur was so amazing that the photos didn’t do it justice so here’s a pic of me standing outside it…

We also visited the Notre-Dame (and no we couldn’t find quasi-modo unfortunately)

The day we visited the Eiffel Tower was actually a slow day (yay! no lines!)

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We finished off our stay with a visit to the Arc de Triomph and a shopping day along the Champs-Élysées…

Our last dinner in Paris was one of (if not the) best meals of my life EVER. NO JOKE. I CAN’T. EVEN. DEAL

It was ravioli with tomato and this creamy foam that just melted in your mouth…and paired with the perfect white wine

Barcelona

Ok so bit of a deep and meaningful coming up (just FYI in case you want to opt out)

On the train trip to Barcelona my entire suitcase was stolen (sad times…. or was it?!?!….) Although it was a harsh lesson, it was probably one of the best things that could have happened to me on the trip. Looking back on it, there is something truly freeing about being little old me- literally just me- in the big world. At the end of the day, it’s just a whole lot of stuff. People, memories, experiences- these are the things which are irreplaceable and I wasn’t going to let a thief ruin my life journey. I mean, I was in freakin beautiful Barcelona gosh darn it!! My besties and I ate a lot of paella and sangria that night…

Of course when you’re in Barcelona you HAVE to visit all of the beautiful Gaudi buildings 🙂

Sagrada Família

Casa Batlló

And last but not least!

Park Güell

Madrid

It’s always hard to follow Barcelona, but Madrid was still a lovely city.

We took a lazy stroll down Buen Retiro Park and ate more paella and sangria (duh)

One night we watched a traditional flamenco performance with live musicians and got all dressed up fancy 🙂

London

We then flew across the water to London and after a treacherous train ride (like the human version of sardines), we arrived at our swanky apartment. The first night we had a chilled home cooked meal. Just look at who I got to eat with all the time! #babe

The next day we got all the sites ticked off our bucket list!

Of course we had to stop to make a few very important phone calls…

One of my fondest memories in London was being surprised by a bunch of very friendly squirrels. Some a bit too friendly as Lucy found out when one mistook her for a tree and decided to go for a run up her leg! haha They had a lot of swag…

We also got our nerd on at the Natural History Museum..

On one of the last days we had a very posh high tea (free flowing prosecco say what?!?)

and then and there decided we HAD to go see a musical because why not. So we frantically booked Phantom of the Opera. And after a few cocktails at The Shard we left terrifyingly late to get to the theatre. But alas, we only missed the intro. Phantom of the Opera got us feeling all kinds of emotions!

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Italy

Milan

Our first stop in Italy was Milan!

We stopped by the beautiful Milan Cathedral and gazed at all the super expensive fashions.

We spent a quiet afternoon walking around Leonardo’s Vineyard and learning all about the history of the house.

The inside of the house

Leonardo’s Vineyard 

Venice

One of (if not THE) best days of my life took place in Venice. Nothing in particular happened, it was simply a PERFECT day with my perfect date 🙂 (Lucy you know I love you girl!) From a romantic gondola ride

The best seafood (with the best view)

And wondering around the canals to find hidden shops and cranky old dogs (Lucy learnt this lesson the hard way haha)

To finish off with a beautiful meal and numerous glasses of spritz

One of the best things about Venice is you’re only one boat ride away from another island. Because of this we took a day trip to visit, Murano and Burano, islands known for amazing glass blowing. Needless to say we spent a lot of money here (no regrets- I mean look a them!)

We also had the best most authentic pasta in this tiny restaurant. If there’s one thing you take away from reading this post it’s that ALWAYS go far away from the tourist spots and if it looks a little run down and unpopular, GO IN. That restaurant has probably been in the family for generations and they’ll feed you like family

Florence

I had been to Florence before and it was one of my favourite cities. The second time round; STILL ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE CITIES. 🙂

We were pleasantly surprised to find out that our air BnB had our very own private terrace which we made sure to make the most of. I mean just look at that view!

We visited my favourite building

The Duomo

And also the wonderful Uffizi Gallery

And had the cheesiest gnocchi ever…

Rome

Ahhhhh Rome   I mean our apartment was a 5 minute walk away from the Colosseum. I can’t really complain

The Roman Forum

The Pantheon

Trevi Fountain

Spanish Steps

The Vatican and Vatican Museums 

One of the highlights was getting to visit Pompeii for the second time and recreating this photo

The Tiber River at night was also to die for….

Coming home….

I was away 41 days and it’s fair to say that it was quite an adventure! From watching fireworks in Berlin on New Year’s Eve, seeing snow for the first time, bike riding in Amsterdam, gondola rides in Venice and visiting Pompeii for the second time as well as a few mishaps along the way; it was all a part of the tapestry of travel and life. All the while I had two of my best girlfriends by my side. Thank you Karla and Lucy for the DnMs, late night dinners, laughing till we couldn’t breathe and making the unbearable bearable. This trip has had many highs and lows and I couldn’t have done it without your friendship and humour (and photography skills) I love you ladies  My time in Europe was a roller coaster of emotions and I embraced it all in a way that brought out the best in me during the hardest times. I’ve seen sides of me and an inner strength that I didn’t know I had before. And for that I am truly grateful for the experience. But at the end of the day, I was so ready to come home to Sydney, Australia as Mary 2.0 

Europe 2016/17 Late last year, myself and my two girlfriends decided to take on an impromptu Europe trip, as you do.