So, I got back from a trip, and then it took me a month to write about it! This tracks, frankly. Especially because there were classes and illnesses and hospital stays and work and softball keeping me crazy busy. But here we are, me and Coolio apparently, to tell you all about Europe!
Pour one out for Coolio 😢
So, here is where the fun started! I had always wanted to visit Lisbon, and had thought I would want to live in Portugal someday. I think I have changed my mind but I would love to go back and explore more! We had a two hour tour after our plane landed and we lugged our crap to the boat, and our tour guide was lovely! She was very knowledgeable, and despite that she made us climb massive stairs (and my legs cramped up because hours on a plane) it was such a great experience! Then after testing the capacity of our calf muscles, she took us on a van ride around the city, and chatted with us about life in Lisbon (while the kids fell asleep in the van). Good but exhausting times!
Gorgeous, yet hilly city indeed!
Now here is where I want to move! So it isn’t the most exciting tourist destination ever, but hear me out! There are bookstores, and cute shops and restaurants, and the Guggenheim Museum, and the Puppy. So to say, it isn’t too small where you’re bored, but neither is it overwhelming. And it is right on the water, and just… pleasant and peaceful. Also, if I had to go to a country that spoke a different language, Spanish is my best bet. Fun fact, I was a Spanish major for two years in college, and yet my knowledge is scarily bad!
Sam was most excited to go to the Athletic Bilbao club store, so. I was keen to head to the bookstore. Lena wanted to buy stuff at the pharmacy and eat gelato. We all won!
So here’s a fun story for you! My dumb ass booked an excursion, but we ended up landing in a completely different port than I thought, wooo! So, our dunes and oysters trip was canceled (but the tour guide was awesome and understanding about it, shoutout to Kevin!) so we just headed onto a shuttle to explore the adorable seaside town of Soulac-Sur-Mer! The one bummer was, they were doing some kind of beach construction, and I had really been hoping to get to play in the water. But alas. We had a nice lunch, I got pooped on by a bird, and I bought a bunch of books in the adorable bookstore! Lena and my mom also did some shopping, and a good time was thankfully had by all in this quaint, friendly town! 
Okay so before you get mad… just don’t get mad. But Paris… isn’t my favorite? The history is awesome, as is the food, and we had an amazing tour guide. I’d go back for more exploration, but I’d never want to live there? But if you take the historical stuff away, it feels like… Bougie Manhattan? 🤷 Now that said, the historical stuff is fabulous! And it’s a very pretty city, don’t get me wrong! But people are just rushed, and rich, apparently, and it doesn’t have the vibe I love. But again, a great experience! 
These goofy hats were definitely a highlight! And so were the crepes, should have gotten a picture of those!
Okay, shoutout to this unexpected gem! Bruges ended up being basically everyone’s favorite stop, go figure! It is gorgeous, and chock full of history. It helped that our guide was truly in love with the city, and knew so much about it. His enthusiasm was contagious! We loved the landscape, the people were very kind, the stories were amazing, and then we got to eat Belgian waffles which was a highlight in and of itself. I think all of us would go back to Bruges, no question!
I have always, always wanted to go to Amsterdam. It did not disappoint, but also, I want so much more time there! I didn’t even get to go to any coffeeshops! I digress. We started in Edam, which apparently is known for cheese and windmills, and we did in fact see those things! Sam ate his body weight at the cheese factory, and we also saw a dude making wooden shoes! Then we went for lunch and got pancakes– but not the pancakes you are thinking of? Mine was chicken and bacon and pesto, and quite delightful. Then, we took a canal cruise, which was so fun. The tour guides had a great rapport and made the trip extra great. We got to see so much of the city even though we had a short time, and I definitely want to go back! (Tbh, I would live there too, but Idk if I could do all the biking? I might die instead? 🤔)
Our last stop! Hamburg was really quite nice, and I would also live here! Again, I found a bookstore, and then we went to Miniatur Wunderland, which if you ever have the chance, do it! It was so impressive! Then we got burgers which were delicious, and the next day, we went to the zoo! It was really an impressive zoo, and quite peaceful. I loved the area, though I was shocked at how many people at the zoo were smoking- especially with small kids! The people were also incredibly friendly, though if you do go to Hamburg, they don’t speak much, if any English- very different from bigger cities like Berlin! I was impressed that I could somewhat read the menus, thanks Duolingo!
And that is a wrap! We left from London, but we didn’t really get to see any of it, save the Heathrow Airport which really is lovely, especially when you compare it to the cesspool of Newark, from which we came. Of course, we had quite a lot of fun on the ship, The Norwegian Star, too! Lena and my favorite place was by far the hot tub, where I would get a Frosé, and she would get a virgin strawberry daiquiri, and we would lounge. Lena also did art with my mom, and Sam loved to play on the sports deck and also hang out in the room watching the 24/7 sports channel. And of course, food! 
Wow, what an epic vacation! The only place I’ve been to on this list is Paris, and it was years ago and I don’t remember much. I do remember touring the Loire Valley with all the old castles, which was so cool. Amsterdam sounds amazing!
Ooooh the castle stuff sounds very fun! I loved Amsterdam and NEED to go back!
So much fun! We’re headed to Spain and Italy in a few weeks (Danielle is there now for a study abroad – she’s double-majoring in Spanish, so hopefully she’ll hold onto it better than you did. LOL!) Love all these pics!
Oh YAY that is awesome! Two of my favorite places! I hope you have a wonderful time! As for Danielle, she should be good- I was told that THE best way to become fluent is to immerse yourself, so she is on the right path! (I could not possibly have gone abroad, because swimming 🙄 talk about terrible life choices bwhhaha) Can”t wait to hear about your trip too!
WOW I can see why it took some time to get to the post. I love all your pics!!!!!
sherry @ fundinmental
Thank you so much!! 😁
What an amazing experience! It’s so lovely you got to enjoy it with your parents too. Forever memories!
Thanks! And yes I agree- it really makes it that much more special!
Wow! That is such a wonderful trip! I’m in awe of all the cool places you visited! I have a friend who actually moved to Portugal like a year ago. He’s retired and divorced with no kids, so it was a good move. He’s been enjoying it. I’m extremely jealous! Love all the places you visited and how great for a family trip! My big trip of the summer is next month. I’m going to Scotland, and doing a 5 day Outlander tour. I’m very excited but kind of jealous of all the different places you visited!
Thank you! And ohhh that is AWESOME for your friend! I am also jealous bwhaha. I want to move somewhere in Europe by the water, no question! Ohhh that sounds really fun, I have never been to Scotland but it sounds LOVELY! I cannot wait to hear about your trip, I hope you hhave an amazing time!
I hear nothing but great things about so many areas of Spain, but Bilbao definitely sounds charming. I’d move to Bruges in a heartbeat, even though I don’t speak the language, for that Old European charm and history. And the Liege waffles. Had you not had Edam cheese before? Next to Gouda and Basque, it’s my fav cheese. I’m with Sam, I would’ve eaten my weight in it. 😀 Germany is lovely, but I’m not sure why there weren’t many English speakers? When I was in Rothenburg, the Germans were excited to practice English on us Americans. I thought it was a common 2nd or 3rd language there. Huh. Gonna have to go back and explore it all again! Also… I hated Paris, so you aren’t alone there. I mean, the Louvre is amazing, but it’s a dirty, crowded, rushed city (and when I was there, everyone was smoking, everywhere, constantly). Bougie Manhattan is right!
My next big trip is in November- a Disney Cruise to Nassau!
DUDE you would have loved all of them tbh. And I didn’t even have trouble in Bruges with not knowing the languages- they pretty much all spoke English too, at least to some extent. Spain though, man, Bilbao is awesome- it has multiple bookstores, cute restaurants and such, the BEACH, and some cultural museums and stuff, so what I am saying is, pack up your RV, we’re moving! 😂 I think bigger German cities are more English speaking! Like in Berlin it was NO problem whatsoever. Funny enough, most places DID have English menus and shit, but none of the actual workers spoke it! OMG I am so glad I am not the only one! Like I loved the history and stuff but nah, that would not be my first choice! Glad I went to cross it off the list but yeah, pass!
DUDE that is awesome! You are going to have SO MUCH FUN. I went on a Disney cruise to Nassau once actually, I was 10 so I don’t remember a *ton* but I did really enjoy the cruise!
OH and no, I had never had Edam cheese before! But it was great!
Alright, so we’re road tripping to Bilbao, Spain with a brief stop at Nassau and munching all the Edam cheese. Got it! 😀
Bruges looks awesome. I love that first pic with the bridge and the stone building. I think belgium would be awesome in general even if it doesn’t get the attention that, say, france gets. And I’d be all about the cheese factory in the Netherlands. Funny about the wooden shows- we have a town here called Holland that is very touristy and settled by Dutch- although it’s also part of a very conservative county and nothing like the actual netherlands, so I’m told. Anyway I’m digressing but they have all this wooden shoe stuff there too.
All these destinations look fabulous. I’m going to check out the burger link from Germany because now you’ve made me hungry.
What is it with American airports? Are we third world? Of course we are. Anyway- looks like an amazing trip! The cruise sounds fun.
Yesss I loved it! The whole city looked like that, too. It was gorgeous. And that is really funny, but sad that they aren’t like actual Dutch people. Womp womp. The burger place was great, highly recommend!
Dude, we ARE a third world country at this point. Like, Heathrow had clean and fancy bathrooms, and Newark had a sign on the tampon box that said “please don’t dispose of needles” so. That said it all, to me.
This looks like such fun. I’ve only been to London, England (outside the US) and that was a blast and I’d love to go back – but I’d like to visit other countries too. I’d really like to visit Amsterdam someday too.
I have visited London and it was lovely, I definitely want to go back someday (and not just to the airport heh). Amsterdam is wonderful, I would definitely go back there, too! I bet you would love it!