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Walka'bout thru Spain & Italy
  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinns
  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinns

Walka'bout thru Spain & Italy

Backpacking our way, step by step, to our best version Read more
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  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler
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    Part 4 Day 21

    August 18, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    We took the bus back, picked up 2 pizzas, a few coronas and headed back to the terrace of our hotel. The view was nice but the pizza 🍕 was a big L. We both felt like we wasted our $. You know what I'm talking about. It's a bad feeling. We then went to the pool before it closed and had a quick dip. We washed up and did our laundry. We were impressed how nice the laundry facility were. Nicer than home. It's started to rain. I picked up some yummy Chinese food, William picked up BBQ ribs with fries and we were much happier with our food. Had a nice night in the room with good eats and planning our last stop on this adventure. Rome, here we come😁Read more

  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler
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    Day 22 Pompei

    August 19, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    The history of this sight is too much for my brain to comprehend, and the site is so big. You can spend days here walking miles because it's so big. We only had 2 hrs and we saw what we could. The coliseum and amphitheater were the coolest.Read more

  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler

    Part 3 Day 23

    August 20, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Our 3rd major stop was the Monument of Victor Emmanuel II building, better known as the wedding cake building. It's dedicated to the body of The Unknown Soldier in memory of many soldiers who have died defending their country in war. These places hold a special place in my heart, and I feel the need to visit because there are families out there today who have no idea where their soldier rests. I can't imagine what the family's felt then, and now. This is how I pay my respects.Read more

  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler
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    Part 5 Day 23

    August 20, 2024 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    We saw so many sites all before noon. We went to a grocery store, bought groceries, and had yummy homemade cheeseburgers with chips for lunch. In our air B&B, we had a full kitchen, so we always take advantage to make a home cooked meal which we miss. A nice nap later, we hit the area of Trastevere for dinner. Rome is known for their pasta, so I had me some Carbonara. They don't put peas in their version here. William keeps trying the lasagna in every town. Dinner spot was recommended and a typical place where the locals go. It was called Otello, and it goes back generations. The town is lively and it hums with life. We went to a lookout point and saw the view of Rome at sunset.Read more

  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler

    Day 24 Vatican

    August 21, 2024 in Vatican City ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    So I've shown you guys the good and the ugly throughout our travels. Today, my heart wasn't in it. We wanted to go home a few days earlier, and William tried to change our flight, but the universe said no. I had to remind myself of my own mantra. I chose to make it fun and easy, so we rallied and off to The Vatican Museums we went.Read more

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    Part 2 Day 24 Vatican

    August 21, 2024 in Vatican City ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    More of the museums in the Vatican. This place is a city and a Fortress. Heavily guarded at all gates and even metal detectors. Pope's have been collecting statues and art for centuries including Egyptian art. Those peices go back 3000 BC 🤯we also got see see a
    Van Gogh
    Rodin (I say Rodan)
    Denis (I say Dennis)
    Mondrian
    Sironi
    Matisse
    I have no knowledge of art, but I do recognize the names and some art pictures. The stairwell to exit the museum is pretty cool.    Read more

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    Part 3 Day 24 Vatican

    August 21, 2024 in Vatican City ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    We took an hour break in the shade 😎 rallied again and made the 1 hour line in the sun to go into the Basilica. The alter was being worked on, so we didn't get to see it, which was a bummer because seeing many churches of all shapes and sizes, that's what makes the church. Aside from the obvious, the size of St. Peters is astronomical.Read more

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    Part 4 Day 24

    August 21, 2024 in Vatican City ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    We saw the POPE! Twice... How blessed and lucky are we. It's rare to see the Pope. It's more rare to be 5 feet away from him. He passed by me in his wheelchair and then he passed in front of William. As I mentioned earlier, my heart was not in it to go see the Vatican. I would never have foreseen how special the day turned out to be. When you are challenged mentally, physically, or emotionally but still open to being present and finding gratitude, life happens for you, not at you.🙏💗
    William and I, we were very emotional after the mass. For many different reasons. But we both agree that this trip and all we have done and encountered has been life changing, and we are better people because of it.🥰
    We were exhausted. The Vatican Museums, The Basilica, seeing the Pope, and going to 5 o'clock mass was a lot for one day, but I wouldn't change a thing.    Read more

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    Part 5 Day 24

    August 21, 2024 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 30 °C

    Ended the day at Jim's Rooftop Bar with a few cocktails, a stunning view of the city and a beautiful sunset to watch. Our waiter Noah, was a lovely soul. He will be getting is masters in cyber security by the end of this year and probably will come work in the states. Gave us good tips on local places to check out for good eats too.Read more

  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler
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    Day 25 Last night in Rome

    August 22, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    We didn't leave the flat till 4pm. William cooked breakfast, we watched a movie on Netflix and just relaxed. We planned our evening and off we went again.
    1st stop, The Spanish steps. At the top was a beautiful Basilica called Trinita dei Monti.
    Pls ignore my ugly shoes with my pretty dress. Luckily for me, everyone in Roma does the same thing with all the walking that is done here except there tennis shoes are clean and mine have walked 1000 miles. They even have holes. They just have to make it 3 more days💪    Read more

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    Part 2 Day 25

    August 22, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    After the Spanish steps we went to the Borghese Gardens. Walked down to the Popoplo Piazza which leads you to the main streets to do serious shopping like Gucci, Prada, and so on. I didn't take part in the shopping, but I was tempted 🤑
    As we walked the city, we came across more beautiful churches.    Read more

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    Part 3 Day 25

    August 22, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We also went and saw the Piazza of Novano. It was a bummer that all 3 fountains were being restored, but we understand that they are old and need some loving. What makes this place really cool is that the Piazza is in an oval shape and back in the day, the Roman's would have their chariot races here. I can picture Charles Heston in Ben Hur on his chariot. Since it was our last night, there were foods I wanted to try before we left. We were able to try 2 out of 3. I'll have to try the maritozzi next time. The suppli was yummy. They were those brown balls filled with rice, mozzarella, and red sauce😋 I shouldn't have waited till the last day to have them because I want more. I also had a yummy pasta dish called Ali Americana with fresh pasta made by Italian ladies next door. We both really like Rome. There is so much to see here that we didn't even touch the surface. I know we'll be back for some more site seeing and for suppli and maritozzi.Read more

  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler

    Day 26 Leaving Italy

    August 23, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    26 days backpacking thru Italy has been surreal. Staying in hostals, hotels, and Air B&Bs. Venice, Lake Como, Cinque Terre, Turin, Sorrento, Florence, Tuscany, Ischia, Posetano, Amalfi coast, Naples, Rome, and Barcelona. We've seen so much and done so much. Italy is a beautiful country with beautiful people. Their culture and passion are shown in so many ways, but especially when you watch them speak. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your world for the past month🙏Read more

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    Part 2 Day 26 Barcelona

    August 23, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    So this trip has come full circle. We started this trip in Barcelona and we are ending it in Barcelona. We hung out at the rooftop swimming pool and got some Mexican food that was as good as home. Huge compliment to Matt & Marshall.Read more

  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler
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    Day 27 Barcelona Day 2

    August 24, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    William wanted to get around town to see sights so our 1st mission was to find scooters. Almost 3 hrs later and many miles, we finally found where to rent one. William has an international license, but its on his phone, and some rental locations require the actual card. I mentioned this when we were walking the Camino, but it's fantastic how Spain 🇪🇸 creates big walkways for pedestrians and for bikes to make their way around the city safe. We also walked the strand, and the beach was packed and beautiful. The also have a section like Golds gym in Venice Beach. And they actually have sand like home. Since the Olympics were here in 1992, some of the buildings built then still look great. Our 1st stop was the National Meseum of Art de Cataluyna in the Piazza of España. This park reminds me of Griffith Park in LA. Other than the buildings, it's just like it on top of a mountain that over looks the cityRead more

  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler
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    Part 2 Day 27

    August 24, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Our 2nd stop was the F.C. Barcelona stadium 🏟. We are huge futbol aka soccer fans⚽️ and William thought it would be cool to see the stadium. We get there, and see that it's under construction, so we get a few shots under the sign, and William realizes that they were playing that night at the Olympic stadium until their new stadium is done. It has been on our bucket list to see a futbol match in the UK forever. So you know how we role, an hour later we had tickets for the 7pm match. In the states, we don't love soccer they way they do everywhere else in the world. They bring drums, horns, massive flags, and 200% passion for their team. You feel it when you're around it, and you can't help but jump and celebrate with them. Barca dominated the match and won 2 to 1. The icing would have been to see Messi play, but I can see him play at home now since he plays for Beckman's team.Read more

  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler
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    Day 28 last night in Barcelona

    August 25, 2024 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Last day in Barca. Today, I chose to do no 🏃‍♀️running around. William was disappointed because he wanted to explore the town more, but I just wanted to relax. He was a good sport and didn't complain. I don't have much that I would change on this adventure except next time, I will slow down more and do less in one day. Take my time and truly enjoy it and not feel rushed to see it all. We sat by the pool, went in for a few dips, and just talked about what is next in our adventures. We're world travelers now. We have a little experience and better knowledge, so more adventures to come.
    We got dolled up, had yummy empanadas for dinner, and walked the beach strand one more time. The America's Cup is going on for the next 6 weeks. These are super fast boat races. The USA is in it. The beach side has a lot going on, and it's awesome to see it all happening. Barcelona is a huge city and has lots to do here. So long, as Grandma Lola likes to say, and we'll see you again soon 😘    Read more

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    Day 68 GOING HOME!!!

    August 26, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    🎵🎵🎙
    Take me home...
    Country roads...
    To the place..
    I belong...
    CALIFORNIA ...
    mountain mama...
    Take me home...
    Countey roads...
    🎶🎶🏡🛩💗

  • MilesnSmileswiththeQuinnsWalka'bout thru Spain & ItalyTraveler
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    Part 2 Day 28 Flight Delays

    August 26, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Our connecting flight got canceled from Montreal to LA. At 1st, they gave us food vouchers and then they were saying they were giving us a hotel voucher because we would be flying out tomorrow. I didn't panic even though I knew we have to be at the bus yard at 8 am tomorrow. We also had a souvenir confiscated because it exceeded the 4 oz rule. That sucked too. One huge thing the Camino kept reminding me is that we have control of nothing and how we react to situations and challenges that arise is the only thing we can control. It turned out that they re-booked us, and now we'll be home at midnight instead of 9:30. I'm soooo grateful. I don't care about the inconvenience of it all. I don't care that my ass and hips hurt from sitting. Im simply thankful that I'm still going home today and that I didn't elevate my pressure. The customer service rep even thanked us for being nice and not losing it on her. We're still smiling😁Read more

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