Self care can be one of the biggest challenges for educators, and I know I have often struggled with the concept. It can be difficult to put yourself first when there are so many other things competing for your attention and energy. While I love my job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life, this summer was finally time to take off and do something just for me.
This is what motivated me to plan a European adventure and explore a part of the world I had been wanting to see for a long time. After doing research, reading reviewing, and looking at many options I decided to embark on a whirlwind tour of four different countries in two weeks. My adventure would start in London England, then to Paris France, before heading to Lucerne Switzerland and ending in Italy visiting Bergamo, Venice and Rome before heading home.
I had been to London and Paris before, and had very much fallen in love with both of these cities and was looking forward to returning, and I was beyond excited to visit Switzerland and Italy as I explored history and new landscapes.
Solo travel can be daunting, but I have traveled a few times on my own, meeting groups in new countries before, so I wasn’t worried as I headed to the airport in July and took off for London England. Afterall, I was meeting an escorted tour a few days after I arrived; so there really wasn’t anything to worry about. It was time for the adventure to begin.
After an overnight flight, an an adventurous airport transfer, I finally reached my London hotel on a Friday morning to drop off my bags and explore the city on my own for the day. Hopping on a bus, I ventured out to see and snap pictures of some of the major tourist sites in London including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral where I enjoyed lunch in the courtyard with many Londoners working in the nearby financial district. It was a lovely day wandering around London and ended with meeting a high school friend for drinks in a London Pub. It was great to catch up and enjoy a pint (or two) sharing stories and memories. The next day I joined a excursion organized by my tour company and met a few other travellers as we explore inside St.Paul’s and Kensington Gardens. The history of the city came alive again and again for me as I explored London. That night, as I met my fellow travellers as we cruised down the Thames River I drank in the final moments of my short London visit. As we snapped photos London from the river at sunset, I began to get to know some of my fellow travellers.
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| Westminster |
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| St. Paul's |
The next morning as we headed to the famous Kings Cross Station (home of platform 9 ¾ from Harry Potter!) to board our train to Paris I had the opportunity to get to know even more members of our travel group, connecting with a few other teachers and making many new friends from across the United States. One of my favourite parts of international travel is the potential to meet and get to know new people; this trip was no exception as I had the privilege of meeting some amazing individuals who I now count as international friends.
Upon our arrival in Paris, we headed to the Eiffel Tower. It was a stunning sight to see it up close and an exciting experience to ascend to the middle deck and view Paris from the air. By a stroke of good luck, two of my new friends and I were gifted tickets to the uppermost deck of the Eiffel tower where we toasted our luck, and new friendship with a glass of champagne. Our Paris adventure continued as we took in Notre Dame and enjoyed a delicious French dinner in the shadow of the Basilica. The next day we explored the Louvre museum and took in some of the world’s most iconic pieces of art. It was exciting to see them up close and personal and to learn about the history of the individual works. I’ve always been fond of museums and galleries whether it be in my own backyard or in international neighbourhoods, it is an incredible opportunity for learning.
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| Paris from the Eifel Tower |
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| The Eifel Tower at Night |
Both London and Paris captured my heart during my first visits, and my second time visiting these cities were no exception. However, Switzerland and the town of Lucerne was simply otherworldly. As we travelled from France to the Swiss Alps, the views were stunning.
On our first day we took in the Lion Monument, a moving tribute to the Swiss Guards who gave their lives in the French Revolution. The passion with which this monument was created nearly radiated from it; it was almost as if visitors were feeling the history it capture standing in front of it. It was absolutely beautiful.
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| The Lion Monument |
Beauty isn't hard to come by in Lucerne. Everything appeared nearly postcard perfect; the world’s longest covered bridge, the lake in town, the towering mountains, it was all stunning. When we ventured to the top of Mount Pilatus, it was cloudy, but still amazing to climb to the top an explore in the fog. Coming down in the cable car, we were treated to some of the best views of God’s creation and it was maybe one of my favourite experiences of the trip. The more of the world I have the opportunity to explore, the more amazed I am at how incredible beautiful it is.
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| Coming Down Mt. Pilatus |
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| The World's Longest Covered Bridge |
As incredible as Switzerland was, my time in Italy completely exceeded my expectations. Wandering around upper Bergamo and getting lost among the churches and medieval architecture was like stepping back in time. As our journey continued throughout Italy with a strop in Florence, I was again taken aback by the architecture of the Dome, the squares and the Ponte Vecchio. There were so many opportunities to take photographs and enjoy pizza and of course gelato.
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| Ponte Vecchio |
Venice was a dream come true; ever since I was a child, I have been in love with Vivaldi and dreamt of going to Venice because of it. I wanted to see the city on stiles in the middle of the lagoon, and it did not disappoint. We took in a glass blowing demonstration, wandered the alleys and laneways, climbed St Mark's Campanile, ate gelato, and even drank champagne in a gondola as we saw Venice from the water. This was perhaps one of my favourite days we spent in Europe, the food, friendship and fun were unforgettable.
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| Venice from the Water |
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| Venice |
As spectacular as Venice was, Rome was other wordly. A tour through the Vatican and St. Peter’s and later at the Coliseum was truly like walking in the footsteps of history. Standing at the top of the Coliseum looking down and back in time. As we wandered around Rome as saw all of the famous landmarks, it seemed surreal. I’ve seen or read about all of these places, but to actually stand in front of them was indescribable.
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| The Trevi Fountain |
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| The Coliseum |
As I flew home from Rome after the adventure of a lifetime, I was struck by how really amazing this experience had been. As great as visiting all of these history sights and experiencing new things had been, it was the friends I made that made the trip truly memorable. Getting lost with them, taking photos, spending the evenings wandering in town and chatting with them as we enjoyed drinks in the evening are some of my favourite memories from the trip. I was lucky to meet these incredible people from all across North American and am glad to still have a connection with them through social media.
Taking the summer for myself not only allowed me to experience new things overseas and enjoy learning in a whole new dimension, but it allowed me to return to school feeling rejuvenated and excited for the new school year. My cup is full, and I’m ready to embrace the new challenges of the school year.
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