Venice - Day 5

To be honest, I just really didn't want to turn around. I assumed I was going in some sort of circle, but I kept thinking that even if I wasn't, I'd hit a hard right at some point and end up back at my hotel. Safe to say that didn't happen. (Confession: my favorite thing in the world to do is get LOST in new places.) I ended up passing family owned vineyards, riding along canals, abandoned farms, and eventually came to a construction site that I just knew would force me to turn around. Luckily a group of bikers I had been playing tag with decided to sneak through the site, and I quickly followed. I hit a highway and chose a direction, only to whip out my phone that was equipped with a slight map of the town and I noticed I was going in the wrong direction. *gasps for air* THEN I turned around and went straight until I realized I was entering my town from the opposite direction. I would have never known that had I not rode to what I now know was the very edge of town just days before. 

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Venice - Day 4 //Murano

The day started with me taking a bike ride, like other days, but this time I went in the opposite direction. This time I decided to push my limits and explore. This quickly became my morning ritual, but on this day I had to turn around and head back to the hotel. It would be one of my last few days in Venice, and it was only right to spend it around the canals. Only once we arrived at the actual canals, a ferry to the small, colorful island of Murano was #1 on the itinerary. 

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Venice - Day 3 //Milan

Original goal: never be caught dead in the U.S. on my birthday ever again.

New goal: When traveling internationally, don't stick to exploring only one city during your stay.

What happened: I SPENT MY BIRTHDAY IN FREAKIN' MILAN!!!

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Venice - Day 2

As much as I love taking photos, I force myself to remember to be consciously present and in the moment. Yes, it'd be nice to have a physical photograph of every little thing, but my mental photographs have been doing a great job. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Don't be so busy taking the photo that you forget to look up and enjoy the visions before you. I make it my business to tuck my camera away only to wander off and enjoy whatever sights I can find. Even if that means stumbling into a church built in the 17th century or an 18th century cemetery. It's crazy how many times I've wandered off alone down a random street or into a small, dark shop just to take a peak. If it's morbid, looks creepy, or just plain scary, you'll find me there observing.

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Venice - Day 1

Let's also pretend that I haven't been back in town for well over a week, and that instead, I just touched down yesterday, and that I am bringing this post to you ASAP because I am just that dedicated. First things first. After an overnight flight, which I've become accustomed to with most international travel, we finally arrived at our family owned hotel in Quarto D'Altino, Italy. It was quaint, charming, and all the words that come to mind when "family owned" fits the bill. We were kind of in the middle of nowhere, but that was just fine because while waiting to check in I realized that the bikes parked right out front, were free. Yes, $free.99 is the best price and will always get my attention. This would turn out to be something to do on the mornings that we didn't run to town (and by town I mean take the 30+ minute ride into Santa Lucia/the Grand Venetian Canals) on the first train.

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