my SPRING BREAK was better than yours.

Okay, so maybe my title is a little harsh but all jokes aside... this past week was definitely one I will never forget!! If you read my last post you know that I went to Paris, London, and Rome for spring break with 6 other Chigi Princesses, Mary Cate's brother, Tommy, and my sweet boyfriend, Matt! We had the greatest time. 

We left extremely early Saturday morning and got to Paris by lunch time. I was beyond excited to arrive at the hostel and see Matt standing there!! Not only did he make it to Paris [the day before] all by himself, but he had also made a friend [Maison] who he walked around with and ate KFC for dinner! I was so proud of his international traveling skills and even happier to see him :)

Even though we were exhausted and it was drizzling we headed straight into town in order not to waste the day away! Naturally, we immediately went to the Eiffel Tower. I went to the Eiffel Tower back when I was in 6th grade but I did not remember the scenery that surrounds it... so being back was very special. I love how everything is open and symmetrical... it's beautiful!!

Our first view of the Tower off the metro!

Matt and I! I couldn't stop hugging him!

We saw tons of street performers in Paris. Not a bad background either :)

Arc de Triomphe

We walked what felt like all over Paris and then decided we should find a place to eat dinner. The first place we stopped at was expensive [or so we thought] so we kept walking... the problem was each place we stopped kept getting more and more expensive! We couldn't believe how much food was! After walking around for almost 30 minutes we finally just decided we would get over it [and just not eat the next day] so we ended up at a restaurant that we were definitely was not dressed appropriately for but we didn't care! It ended up being one of the best meals we had! I knew I wanted to get French Onion Soup sometime in Paris so I figured this was my chance since it would be cheaper than an entree. My bowl was 9 euro [about $13.00] but SO worth it!!

Duck and French Onion Soup! YUM!

The next day was our only full day so we tried to squeeze a lot in. We went to the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame, and went to the top of the Eiffel Tower! The Louvre was HUGE! You could stay there 3 days and still not see it all!

Rae and I waiting to go into the Louvre!

Finally inside!

Mona Lisa
There were SO many people crowded around waiting to get a picture. I still can't get over how small it was! My hopes were a little too high for Mona.

Napoleon's Apartments
There must have been at least 100 chandeliers... they were gorgeous!

The dining room.

Notre Dame!

I loveee the inside of Notre Dame.
It's so simple yet elegant compared to most gothic styled churches we have seen.

Mass was about to begin... but that didn't stop me from snapping a few pics :)

Paris also has a bridge with locks!

After dinner Matt and I went back to the Eiffel Tower to go up to the top! We thought that would be the perfect time to go so we could be there during the day and night... our plan was successful! 

View from the top!

Yes, Paris is all one color. Neutral. 

Almost dark!

Finally... night time! SO pretty!

He's a keeper :)

The Tower "sparkles" every hour and it did while we were up there!
It was so cool to see it up close!

"Sparkling" again from the bottom! 

The next day we went to Montmartre, which is a beautiful church on top of a steep hill with many steps leading up to it. Multiple people told us we had to go to these steps and just sit and enjoy the view-- So we did!

Montmartre

It was very cloudy that day but still a beautiful view. A man was playing the harp with made it very peaceful... I could have sat there all day.

After a few of us headed back to the Eiffel Tower to enjoy the sunshine!! The sky was finally blue and I was completely content just hanging out in the grass the rest of the day!

Me-Laurie-Megan

Matt loves taking pictures, can you tell? :)

Such a beautiful day!

Our whole group!

I love these girls.

After a relaxing day we had a not so relaxing journey to the airport for our flight to London. We had planned on taking the metro and then a bus in order to save money so we left in plenty of time and hauled our bags to the metro... welllll the metro decides it's not going to come. How convenient. We waiting for almost 30 minutes until a lady told us that there had been an accident and the metro would be running again in about 10 minutes. By this time the amount of people waiting had built up and I started thinking that the metro would probably be PACKED. I asked the lady and she said the first one or two would probably be but after that it would be normal. Boy was she wrong. We waited around for the next 5 before leaving. The trains were literally fogging up, people were smashed up against the windows, and butts were getting shut in the door. It was ridiculous and we knew there was no way we were all getting on WITH luggage so the boys decided we should risk it and try to go find a cab [the lady also told us it would be very difficult to find one at this time of night]. So 5 of us leave and wave down a cab almost immediately... the driver says he can only fit 3 of us so the boys tell us 3 girls to go ahead and they will get the next one. This is where our problem started. You see the boys didn't have cell phones nor did they have their boarding passes in order to know which terminal they needed to be dropped off at. As soon as we realized this, we rolled down the window, and started screaming 2B as we were driving away. I was praying that they heard and understood! We got to the airport fairly quickly and waited aimlessly for the other 2 groups to get there. The other 4 girls that stayed at the metro ended up getting a cab as well and arrived at the airport soon after us. The boys... not so much. They ended up taking a TRAIN that they weren't sure was even going to the airport. When I found this out... I panicked and went to find out where this mystery train was taking them. Why would they not just take a train!? By this time the gate closes in 45 minutes and a nice man informs me that the train does come to the airport but will drop them off at the very end and then they will have to run all the way to terminal 2 and check their bags in time and that it was going to be very difficult. Naturally, I start to cry, and he tells me to stop crying! haha I couldn't help it though... I was so upset thinking they were gonna miss the flight and have to stay the night and catch one the next day. Without really wanting to go through security [and still crying] the other girls tell me they will make it and we go to our gate. Literally minutes before the gate closes Mary Cate runs over and screams, "Britt, the boys are here!!!" I couldn't believe it!!! I jumped and sure enough there they were, sweaty, and out of breath. Matt made fun of me for crying and says I should have trusted that they would make it. This is probably true but not something I am good at :) So by a miracle, all 9 of us boarded the plan and flew to London!!

London was so great! Especially since everyone spoke English!! London has beautiful gardens and parks with flowers and green grass! Definitely something I have missed. We got a 2 day pass for a double decked bus, took a boat tour, went to Harrods, and got to see the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace! The only downfall to London was that we stayed at literally the world's worst hostel and I am not being dramatic! haha It was so sketchy and reminded me of a bowling alley with all of the neon lights. 5 of us stayed in a mix room with 3 rando's... 1 of which was a 60 year old man who snored and coughed the entire night. It was not pleasant. At all.

Double decker bus around London!

I love London's taxi's and red buses!

Buckingham Palace!

Red Coats

Changing of the Guards 

The flowers and parks made me so happyyy!

Harrods! is Huge!

Harrod's Food Hall inside... expensive but very, very cool!

My favorite part was the bakery. Matt and I got delicious breads and pastries.

Everything was so detailed and pretty... even the escalators!

The "Toy Store" on the kids floor. Those stuffed animals cost over 1,000 pounds!
Which is equal to $1,600.00!

Rae, Matt, and I went to a pub for lunch and got fish and chips! It wasn't my favorite meal ever but I am very glad I can say I ate it in London!

Phone booths :)

Big Ben!

Parliament

Westminister Abbey... where Prince William and Kate will get married in April!

The London Eye
Before our boat tour!

The best part of the day was that we went to see Wicked at Apollo Victoria Theatre!!

We LOVED wicked! Matt and Tommy were not as thrilled but were very good sports! 

In order to avoid hanging out in our bunk beds with our 'grandpa roomie' we had a dance party in the hostel bar until he was asleep! Definitely the best way to spend our last night! haha

Thursday morning we checked out of our hostel [hoping we never come close to seeing it again] and headed to the airport for the last time for our flight back to Roma! I had definitely started to miss pizza and pasta and my nook back at the palace! I was beyond excited to be able to show Matt around and enjoy where I have been living with him! Rome ended up being his favorite of the 3... the weather was perfect and the food was delicious as always! It didn't even feel real having him there but we had a blast walking around and enjoying each others company. He will even admit I am a great tour guide :)

First stop: Coliseum and Forum!

Matt filling up his water bottle from a fountain in the Forum :)

Lunch: Bruschetta...

...Lasagna, Carbonara, and bread! YUM!

Pantheon!

Trevi Fountain!
Don't worry I made Matt throw in a coin but some lady walked in front RIGHT as I took a picture! Boo!

Enjoying our gelato by the fountain :)

Sitting on the Spanish Steps! Loving the sunshine.

Our great view on the steps! haha

Matt said it wouldn't be right to come to Italy and not even see where I live [since we were staying in Rome] so that night we took a bus over to Ariccia! I was able to show him the palace and then we went to dinner at my favorite restaurant across the bridge. I was a very happy girl.

The sunset walking over the bridge.

The view of the palace from the restaurant.
I love Ariccia! 

We got suppli [my fav], fried zucchini, cauliflower, and artichokes as an appetizer...

...Tomato Basil Spaghetti, Wild Boar Pasta, and red wine for dinner! It was all wonderful.

Spending the day in Rome and night in Ariccia with Matt was definitely my favorite day of the week! We had so much fun and it was the perfect way to end the break!

I told you my spring break was better than yours! :) Just kidding! I actually want to hear all about YOUR breaks! So let's skype this week and chat!

Miss you all dearly. Check back tomorrow for a new recipe! We are making soup!

xoxo
Britt