Teenage Travel Thoughts, Next Stop Europe

“Teenage travel thoughts, next stop Europe” is what I tell others when they ask what I think of vacationing in Europe. As a kid, you may have some concerns when you hear your parents talking about a trip to Italy, Germany, France, England, etc… But don’t. You will have the best time ever, no matter how old you are! When I was 5 years old and my sister 7, my parents took us to visit our family in Europe. Now, after 8, month long trips, I cannot wait to go back! In fact, we just returned from summer in Europe only a few weeks ago and I am missing it already! So if they ask your opinion, be encouraging, play nicely with your brothers or sisters, giving them time to plan your trip. Or come with us – we can show you the best gelato, pasta, baguette…pizza…crepes…

Teenage Travel Thoughts, Next Stop Europe

Traveling is amazing because you get to see into the lives of many other different and diverse people. Culture is something indescribable and experienced best by seeing it yourself. Europe is, by far, my favorite place to vacation because of its deep history and rustic architecture, specifically Italy and Germany. What attracts me most as a traveler to Europe is: bicycling, hiking, swimming and delicious food (mostly gelato)!

Biking in Europe

Bicycling is one of my favorite hobbies that I usually do 3-6 times a week, depending on how busy I am. In the Tuscan town my great-grandfather is from, there is a massive Medieval wall, which now is perfect for bicycling and walking around! With a circumference of about 2 and 1/6 mile, it is perfect for riding around multiple times. The town is also very easy to navigate, so if you can get over the rustic cobblestones, then riding through the small city is easy! And if you are hungry, you can grab a bite at any place you pass by because it will most definitely be delicious! Many towns throughout Europe have car-free areas that make it super safe for teens to ride. Bike tours are a great way to see a lot and have fun exploring. Renting a bike is especially fun in Munich’s English Garden. Mike’s Bikes has tours or you can rent a bike and explore on your own. Beware of the Beer bikes!

Adventurous Hiking

Hiking is another of my hobbies that is quite hard to do in the part of the U.S. where my family lives, but common in Europe. One of my very favorite hikes is in the Cinque Terre, Italy. Here you hike from one small town to the next following on the ancient, local paths. It is so much fun to stroll to the next town and take a swim break in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea! Tip: you must take plenty of water and snacks. It can get very hot in the summer. People can easily get heat exhaustion if you are not prepared. After hiking the Cinque Terre many times, we now go for a swim and cool down before beginning the hike and then at the end, we go for another swim!  Take panini from Lunchbox and have a picnic at the newly installed picnic table on the trail between Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. I also love these restaurants and gelato stops:

Il Bocconcino for fresh, fast, delicious seafood, street food style! Their calamari was spectacular, good for food allergies/intolerance’s

Gelateria Vernazza – divine gelato and desserts

Il Moretto in Monterosso al Mare – scrumptious food and able to accommodate for my sister’s food allergies

Teen Travels in Europe: Oh the Things You Will Do!

Germany, like Italy, has a lot of beautiful sights. Germans are a very active people, as they have a lot of hiking trails and outdoor activities. Our German cousins know all the great places to go and the best times, making it very simple. In fact, they usually hike with us, but are antsy to go faster than we can or want. Hiking is very adventurous especially when you do not know the trail and terrain. That is what makes it fun to me! The latest place that our cousins suggested was in Austria, just over an hour away from their home. This trail around Lake Achensee had us climbing literally through waterfalls and crossing bridges with no hand rails! It was a very fun day but not for the clumsy. Any slip up or misstep meant you’d be falling a few hundred feet into the lake! Good shoes are very important. All of us have these versatile Keene’s and we always take our tried and tested backpack cooler.

Food the European Way – Fresh, Local and Scrumptious

Food is a large part of travel because it is unique everywhere! I enjoy Italian food the most because it is what I grew up eating and remember. My Mother, who is half Italian,

always has a fresh, home-cooked dinner ready for my family. Not to mention how cooking garlic smells so delicious! Pizza, prosciutto, Stromboli, calamari, and all types of pasta, I typically like. There are always more choices on Italian menu’s and I am always ready to try something new! Germany and France have very scrumptious food too. I remember eating sweet Nutella crepes with fresh fruit on the French Riviera that melted in my mouth. German sausages and huge Bavarian pretzels are very delicious too!

Making Travel Memories that Last a Lifetime

An Easy Journey travel company was born to help other families vacation places they did not think are possible, either due to cost or planning. For years, my Mom has helped other people plan their trips. This summer we had three different groups in Europe. It was so much fun to go exploring with the other kids and their families! Don’t let cost stop you. Two of the families that went this summer, have parents that are engineers and they kept track of the expenses. Both of the families are already considering another trip because it was not nearly as expensive as they thought. To quote one Dad, “This trip was by far the best vacation our family has ever taken!”

Teenage travel thoughts, next stop Europe, is not only my experience, but also the reality of the families we work with to help plan their journeys. You can ask Alex, Becky, Andrew, Tori, Ken, Caitlyn, Craig, Lucas, Jordan, Georgia, Dom, Cheech…etc…etc… they had a blast, as did their families!

All I know is that your family will have fun adventures and amazing food. I cannot wait to go back…

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