Tunisia, Africa

After Spain, we sailed to Africa. Tunisia is a small Arab country nestled between Algeria and Libya. Troy and I had planned to follow our usual routine: grab the map and start walking, but then the warnings started flooding in. Warnings about the intense haggling, the high risk of having jewelry stolen, the dress code (shoulders and knees should be covered), etc. I started to picture Tunisia as the Tijuana of Africa and having made two trips through Tijuana, I started to get discouraged. Thankfully, Tunisia was nothing like I had envisioned.

With the swarm of warnings prior to disembarking, we decided this would be a good place to take a tour. Our first stop was the Roman bath ruins. This set of ruins was the third largest in the Roman empire preceded, obviously, by the baths in Rome. This area was gorgeous!

Troy wandering around the baths

Pieces of pillars that once stood around the ruins

On the mountain overlooking the city

After exploring the ruins, we headed to the blue and white village. This small village reminded me of a town you'd expect in Greece. All the buildings were white to keep the rooms cool during the sweltering summer months and the blue shade on the doors and windows apparently helps repel mosquitos.

Our trip through Tunisia was shorter, but we didn't feel we missed anything. Honestly it wasn't on the top of our "places to see" list (or even on the list for that matter), but it is fun to say we have at least been to Africa.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Our goal for Mallorca was to simply relax. Since we still hadn't adjusted to the eight hour time difference and after the long trek around Barcelona the previous day, we decided all we really wanted to do was lie on the beach. But before we could roll out the towels, we strolled around a few buildings and even attended part of a religious service held in an old Catholic church. Now we could hit the beach...

The beaches in Spain are topless beaches. After two days of basking on the sand, we decided the mindset must be the less someone wants to see you topless, the more likely you'll be unleashing the ladies for all to see. And this is where the sneer comes in. As Troy slowly panned his gaze across the horizon, with the corners of his lips turned sharply down, he realized there were nothing but chubby, partially clothed grandmas for as far as the eyes could see. Poor Troy didn't realize exactly how much flesh he was going to see. So that's the reason - or is that two reasons?- most of our pictures from Mallorca will stay securely tucked away on our backup drive and never see the light of day.

I seem to have a lot of pictures of Troy checking a map

If it weren't for the centuries-old cathedrals, Mallorca could easily pass for southern California

Barcelona, Spain

Of all the places we visited, Troy and I agree Spain was absolutely, by far, the prettiest. You'd turn one corner on the narrow, stone-lined streets and find yourself smack dab in the middle of a farmer's market, on the steps of a cathedral or in front of a bull fighting arena. Even though we explored the city for roughly 11 hours and logged well over 10 miles by foot, we felt we hardly made a dent in the fabulous town.

Christopher Columbus near the port

La Rambla street. This entrance to Barcelona was lined with street performers, artists, florists, etc. At the bottom of the street, where the photo was taken, it doesn't look so spectacular, but it was one of my favorite sights.

Temple Expiatori de la Sagroda Familia (quite the name, huh?) We saw more churches than I'd even care to count, but this one stood out as the most unique.

Figures on the Temple

Entering city park

We spent a few hours in the natural history museum. Troy was quite smitten with this 50s style foosball table.

I personally enjoyed the pre-foosball section of the museum

I have a story about the beaches in Spain, but it's more applicable to tomorrow's post. So when I reference Troy's sneer, you'll know what I'm taking about. ;)

Outside the Picasso Museum

In the Gothic area. Not sure what exactly was going on when this photo was taken.

Enjoying the sunset by the ocean

Monte Carlo, Monaco

Our second leg of the trip was in Monte Carlo. This small country on the French Riviera is slightly over one mile wide, but still home to almost 4,000 people, making it the smallest and most populated country.

The Opera House

This casino needs no introduction

With such a small area to cover, Troy and I decided to hike outside of Monaco and into France because how often do you get to say you hiked into France?

In the courtyard

These stunning gardens lined the steep, rugged coastline

At the Palais Princier

The view of the city from atop the mountain

Our last view of Monaco as we sailed away

Florence/Pisa, Italy

We are back! I'm sure it goes without saying that Europe was fabulous, but look at me, I'm still saying it. I have far too many pictures (600 to be precise) and stories to share so I decided to devote one post per destination. Our first stop was Florence and Pisa. Troy and I, in an attempt to steer clear of most touristy excursions, grabbed a cab with another couple and headed to Florence. We spent a good chunk of the day strolling the city and just observing the hustling town.

Driving into Florence

Troy and I on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge

And of course no stop in Italy would be complete without the Leaning Tower. It's funny that people from all over the world flock to see this iconic building, but there really is nothing to do at the tower. It reminds me of the scene from "National Lampoon's Vacation" when they finally arrive at the Grand Canyon. You stop, take in the sight for a second, and then it's like, "yeah, ok, I saw it." We only stayed in Pisa long enough to snap a few photos.