Hello! So I decided every month when you choose my adventure there will be a “Home” city that we stay in as we take this adventure together. This will give the chance of really living like a local. You can find the best restaurants, cool places you don’t get to hear about in the travel books, and hopefully meet new friends and actually get to spend time with them. I can’t tell you how many times I have met someone on my travels and never got to have a follow up dinner a few days later.
The other thing that is awesome about a “Home” is, well it’s a home. You can pack that overnight bag and head out of town, leaving the heavy backpack at home. Want to save money on eating out? Go grocery shopping and come “home” to eat. You’re there for month, there’s no fear of missing out. You can take your time. Also you can get reduced rates on Airbnb if you stay for a month. Seriously, I have found places in all these cities for under $500 if you stay more than 30 days.
Finally having a “home” also gives the opportunity to do what this adventure we are taking is all about. Should I go stay in the quaint town a couple hours away for the night? Or the neighboring metropolis city for the long weekend. Lay on the beach or camp in the woods? Take a day trip to eat the best pizza in Italy? This is the fun part of this whole thing. You choosing where we go and me having to go no matter what. Even if camping in the woods is one the most frighting things in the world to me. So, where do we go next?
Adventure 1: Florence, Italy
Italy is probably one of the most beautiful countries in the world. This isn’t only my opinion, but the millions of people that come from all over to see this marvelous place. It’s also very “new” traveler friendly. The food is familiar to most, the attractions are known world wide, and there are countless romcoms that romanticize this spectacular country. So this would be a great place to start as “home” for the month of July.
Now I have a love hate relationship with Florence. I love it because it is one of the most breath taking cities that I have been to. I hate it because my first time there I broke my shoulder the day before I headed to Rome, and ended up spending my first trip to Rome in the hospital getting surgery. But, I have forgiven Florence and returned several times.
So why return to a city I have stayed at several times? Easy. It’s beautiful. Everything about it is beautiful. The food, the buildings, the people. I’m not kidding about the people, the bus drivers look like professional models. There are also so many surrounding places to visit. Tuscan wine country, the romantic city of Verona, the historic metropolis of Rome, all great places to explore with you. I mean wouldn’t taking a long weekend to the Amalfi Coast be fabulous. Not going to lie, I secretly have this fantasy of meeting “Paulo”, and we take a ride along the coast on his vespa and have a romantic week long affair I look back fondly on in my old age. But, I’ll save that for my steamy romance novel I will write in the future..
Adventure 2: Athens, Greece
Athens has a lot of the same great traits and adventures that Italy has, only difference for me personally, I have never been there. But, the food is familiar, the people are supposed to be lovely, and the beaches…Well, just google greek beaches and you’ll see what I’m saying. Having a bad day? Look at pictures of a Greek beach and I guarantee the stress will melt away. Don’t be mad at me though when you have to snap back into reality.
Besides the relaxation there is so much to explore around this beautiful country. There is a rich history, much like in Italy, which would be fun to explore. Also while the food is sort of familiar, it’s not as known as Italian. I mean how many Greek chain restaurants can you name? So the food aspect is also something different. And I’m not going to lie. I already found a cute tiny house to live in that provides a bike in Athens. Like it’s super cute and I have always wanted to live in a tiny house.
But, perhaps the most important thing about us going to Greece would be Mamma Mia. Yep. I am talking about the hit Broadway show turned smash movie starring the goddess herself Meryl Streep. If this is chosen as my “home” for the month of July, I promise you there will be a video of me lip syncing to “Honey, Honey” on the beaches of Greece. Personally this is the MAIN reason I want to go to Greece. I know it sounds nerdy, but I really love Mamma Mia. But, there are so many awesome reasons to explore this glorious haven.
Adventure 3: Budapest, Hungary
And the final destination you can choose for this adventure is Budapest, Hungary. The only things I know about Budapest is that there is that Wes Anderson movie about a hotel, and that when I first started traveling it was on everyones list of where I should go. Seeing the pictures online it looks like a fantabulous place. I feel like geeky Anne Hathaway would grow up and become a Princess under the watch of her loving Grandmother Julie Andrews in Budapest. Yes I am 40 years old man and I referenced “The Princess Diaries”. I ain’t ashamed of it.
So why Budapest? Adventure! That is the whole point of this experience, no? To get out of my comfort zone and have no say on where you all choose for me to go. It’s a safe choice I feel, but a new one. Wouldn’t you like to know more about Hungarian Culture? Feel like most people don’t know much about it. Also how amazing would it be to just explore outside of the big city and see the country side of Hungary. Personally I don’t know anyone who has done that. I’m guessing it’s gorgeous and I haven’t even googled it. Or maybe it is drab and boring and I end up eating goulash with woman built like an ox named Natalia. Either way there is a story there.
Where Should We Go Next?
So, here’s where you choose my adventure. Should I make my home in the beautiful Tuscan city of Florence and possibly meet Paulo and take a ride on his Vespa? Explore Athens while singing Mamma Mia around town? Or venture into the unknown with Natalia in Budapest? It’s up to you. I will give you till the end of September to decide for me. Vote below and let me know. Can’t wait to hear where you think we should head first!
*This Vote Has Ended. Click HERE to see where we head first.
Ryan Parker Knox
I’ve spent time in Florence on two different occasions and it truly is an incredible city. And I’ve been to Athens only once and only for a day and I had food poisoning at the time so I can barely say I’ve been there at all. It’s like saying I’ve been to Delaware when I was driving from NY to DC and stopped at a rest stop outside of Dover.
But I’m going to vote for Budapest. I think the hustle and bustle of a major major touristy city will grow weary in a shorter amount of time. Budapest is a little less touristy and looks so much more quaint.
Craig
Budapest is a great central place and one of the prettiest cities I’ve visited. Easy and affordable trains to Prague Vienna etc. That’s my view though you can’t miss with any of your choices.
Andrew
My vote is for Florence!
Noelle
I say Budapest as well. There seems to be something mysterious about it (I have never been, personally).
Stephanie
While I love Florence I pick ATHENS!!! Mama Mia!!!
Sara Quam
Budapest! Very central to exploring other great cities
Rachael
Budapest! I’ve always wanted to see it…
Paul
Why am I the only one that says Athens?! Haha
Dwane Rodriguez
I vote Budapest! Be different! Eveyone goes to Athens and Florence! Don’t get me wrong, definitely visit those places if you can. But make Budapest your home base and explore the rich culture around it! You won’t be disappointed! 🥰🥰🥰
Tasha
Budapest! Mostly so I can see the pictures 😍
Sara McGuire
I say Athens!! 🙂
Ryan Parker Knox
Voting for Budapest. That’s my gut instinct, no real reason to vote against the other cities at all. Budapest is the one I’ve never been to, though as I mentioned before, you can’t really count Athens,
Jon
Budapest. We were there a few years back for NYE. It’s a a pretty cool city. The trams and underground are super easy to navigate and get around.