Europe is Always a Good Idea!

Europe is always a good idea.

At the beginning of June, when school let out, I felt desperate for a change of scenery. I wanted warm water, good food, culture, and the chance to experience something new.

After looking at flights all over Europe and going down several travel rabbit holes, we decided on the Italian Riviera. It was more affordable than many of the other places we considered, Waylon loves the food, and we could incorporate a little wine research in Barolo along the way. Very convenient.

What unfolded was nothing short of a dream.

Were our flights great? No. Did we have a couple of very long travel days when everyone was tired and slightly irritated? Absolutely. But everything we experienced between takeoff and landing back home made it completely worthwhile.

This was one of the first trips we’ve taken without a concrete plan. I had booked our airport hotels and two nights in Rapallo. That was it. Nothing in between.

For someone who likes control and usually wants every detail handled, this felt both freeing and slightly unhinged.

We wanted the freedom to explore new places without the pressure of needing to be somewhere at a certain time.

We walked along the coast to Portofino, found an incredible beach club where we spent the day, rented a boat to explore the coastline, discovered rocks to jump from, and met restaurant owners who made us the most delicious food.

We drank incredible wine, swam in crystal-clear Mediterranean water, watched the best fireworks show I have ever seen, and spent half a day touring the Ferrari factory.

We visited Monaco, walked through Monte Carlo, checked out the Formula 1 track, and ate oysters at the same place Rob and I visited in 2017. We stayed in Cap Martin for two nights, slowed down, dreamed about next summer, and saw some truly beautiful parts of the world.

Some trips definitely need a plan. This just wasn’t one of them.

For the three of us, having the freedom to change direction, stay longer, leave sooner, and make it up as we went was exactly what we needed.

As someone who likes control, I forgot how liberating spontaneity can be...and that it doesn’t automatically lead to disaster.

I need to do it more often.

Cheers, Emily