Naturally Kimmy by Kimberly Gomez: travel

Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Escaping to Europe, Graduating College, and Starting A New Chapter

Posted by Kimberly | Labels:college,travel

So how does one start a post after such a long hiatus? After going through such huge transitions in my life, I am nothing more than excited to start blogging again and especially with this new chapter in my life that's beginning!

So let's roundup everything that happened...

I GRADUATED COLLEGE

Subtle, right? How does one sum up the end of a new chapter and the start of a new beginning?

The amount of things that have changed since the last time I’ve given some love to my blog is kind of crazy.

I went from gallivanting in Europe for two weeks, juggling classes and an internship before graduation, going on job interviews that I totally wasn’t a fan of, graduating college, and now living back in my humble abode in New Jersey.

I flew to Europe and traveled on six different planes that took me to London, Germany and Verona. It felt wonderful to get away and finally come to terms with the all the new beginnings in my life and take a break from the craziness that was graduating college.

I visited one of my lovely best friends in London, worked on my senior honors thesis at the British Library, enjoyed being a total tourist, flew to Italy, visited my wonderful host family, and came back to get ready for graduation.

It’s kind of crazy to think how fast college went by but I will save that for another post….all the post-graduation feels.

Being back at home feels totally bittersweet. I feel like I am putting myself back together and getting ready to jump into an entire new chapter of my life. It's scary and exciting. Scary because I don't know what in store in this chapter but exciting because I have a lot of control of what will be in it.

This past year has been full of a lot of ups and downs. I’m ready for an awesome summer and time to focus on what I really want to accomplish now that I spent the last 4 years working on a degree.

I graduated college with honors, went on an unforgettable road trip to Virginia Beach with my girlfriends, and met someone who’s completely changed my life….and it’s only just the beginning.

Congratulations to all of my fellow 2016 graduates….stay tuned for more this summer!

P.S. I can't believe I'm turning 22 in a week....which means I can finally blast 22 like I mean it.

xoxo,

0 comments

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Getting Screamed At By An Italian, A Reunion, and Bologna

Posted by Kimberly | Labels:bologna,day trip,funny,italy,summer,travel,travel blog

Ciao darlings,

As I am writing this, I am sitting at my desk in my new home for the summer and listening to the lovely sounds of birds chirping outside and feeling the sun on my skin from my open window overlooking the countryside.

I am absolutely ecstatic to be here :D

After 12+ hours of traveling, my body is finally back in somewhat of a normal mode. I can wakeup at a decent hour and will start following a more regular schedule this coming week.

So what was I up to my first weekend? Well, I got to see a friend from college who is also living in Italy for the summer! She just recently graduated from my college and is definitely giving me an idea of what post-grad life will be like. What are the chances?!

I hopped on a train to Bologna, a very popular and central Italian city, from my little town and decided to explore the city this Saturday since I had never been to Bologna when I lived in Florence apart from leaving to England from their airport.

For starters, I am living in a small town near Verona and do not have huge stores to get to so I decided to take advantage of going to Bologna, join civilization by getting an Italian number, and not try to live off of Wifi while I'm here.

I went to a Vodafone to buy a SIM card (which was hella cheap for 3GB, 3000 texts, and 1,000 minutes for the month -- 25 Euros..HOLLA), although my phone still hasn't been unlocked thanks to AT&T -_-

So apart from the fact I couldn't understand everything the man at Vodafone was telling me, I apparently didn't take his advice on putting the SIM card in my phone and shutting it off although I asked if I could use my phone while it was activating. And I quote, just imagine a loud Italian accent, "WHY YOU DON'T(A) LISTEN TO ME!". And then I preceded to shut my phone off and thanked him as I laughed out the door.

Apart from getting a SIM card, we explored, chit chatted through the markets, went out for lunch (I FINALLY HAD PIZZA WOO), and walked around until our train rides home.

Asinelli Tower of Bologna
Fun Fact: These towers were distinct to Bologna--considered like the modern day Manhattan of the time

This huge tower was being graciously photobombed by construction.

When I traveled all around Europe the past couple of months, I've collected dozens of photos of windows. I have a slight obsession with taking pictures of windows. Yes, I know that's weird as most would say. So what is your weird obsession with windows? Well friends, apart from the architecture, it somehow is a "window" to the past.

Get it? Ha Ha.

Ok Kim, continue and stop torturing us with your corny puns.

I also love to see windows that belong to inhabitants. They show their lifestyle in someway. How they live. What they wear. So anywhere I go I always find windows and they end up on my camera roll.

Italian Word of the Day: figo - trendy, cool

ex. Che figo!

I hope you have a fabulous end of your weekend and do stay tuned for my next post :)

Catch all of my snaps and daily musings on social media all linked in the side bar <3

P.S. 2 weeks until my 21st Birthday. OMG.

xoxo,

4 comments

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Summer Bucket List Ideas + My SBL!

Posted by Kimberly | Labels:bucket list,european travel,summer,travel,voyage,wanderlust

It's that time of year that we have been waiting for what seems like forever...SUMMMMERRRRR!

Well, it's technically not really summer yet but it's hotter than the surface of the sun and school is out (if you're in college), so it's summer to me.

Like every summer, I am as basic as I can get and do what girls who love summer do best...

IT'S TIME FOR A SUMMER BUCKET LIST :D

What will I be up to this summer?

Only spending most of it in what I now feel like is my second home...Italia :)

Verona, Italy

I will be spending my summer soaking up the Italian sun, nannying, and enjoying every moment I can in the land of pasta, pizza, and wine.

I can't believe I am heading back once again but I AM SO EXCITED AND BLESSED I GET TO GO BACK. Can you tell? LOL.

This year's bucket list will probably be the most epic since I have never spent a summer in Europe.

Either way, I love to make a fun and awesome summer bucket list every year.

It's a great way to get the most out of everyday of this beautiful and my favorite time of the year.

Need some ideas for yours?
Do something you've never done before. Go somewhere you never been. Make the most out of every day. Go tech free. Try a new hairstyle. Do something adventurous. Make new friends. Do something you've always wanted to do but were scared to do or try. Try being more positive. Eat healthier.
So many awesome things you can do!

Everything about summer excites me. I plan on enjoying my last summer as a young adult because the next one I will be graduated with a lot more going on in my life. I want to enjoy this last summer to do something wild. Something crazy. Why not enjoy every moment of it?
I challenge you to have the best summer of your life.

Summer Bucket List 2015

Travel somewhere new (Spain, Greece, Prague?)

Go to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower at night

Visit the love lock bridge before they take it completely down

Visit a castle

Eat gelato as much as possible

Have an awesome birthday week and amazing 21st birthday

Have a beach day

Try eating something new

Ride a vespa

Teach my host family something American

Get a tan and don't turn into a lobster

Build a sandman

Have a picnic

Go on a wine tasting

Go to a market or festival

Hike

Go on a very cliché romantic date :)

Go paddle boarding

Go to Ladurée

Have a movie night

Go to Cinque Terre

Go to an Italian movie theater

Watch the sunset

Learn how to meditate

Maybe ride a hot air balloon...maybe (heights. o.m.g)

Learn some yoga

Try a Pinterest DIY

Journal or make a memory jar

Finish a book

Go shopping in Milan

Go to Rome again

Give cliff jumping a try

Write my name on Juliet's wall since I didn't get to last time!

Do something so adventurous and far out I won't believe I actually did it

Go back to the Amalfi Coast

Visit Versailles

Visit a museum

Make a new friend

Visit the Sistine Chapel

*& become a total pop star and perform at the European Music Awards...*

What will you be up to this summer? Headed anywhere fun? What's on your bucket list? Share below!

xoxo,

0 comments

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

European Travel | Do's, Dont's, Tips & More!

Posted by Kimberly | Labels:advice,bucket list,college,european travel,fashion,goals,italy,summer,tips,travel,travel blog,tricks,wanderlust

Who's ready for a European summer?! HOLLA.

With so many new graduates and summer travel plans to Europe I see around the web, I would love to share my tid bits on traveling in Europe and anything that could help you on your voyage.

I will also be spending my summer in Italy and will be able to speak more about summer travel but for now let's share all that I've learned after living there for 4 months and extend these tips for your travel!

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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Revisiting My Bucket List

Posted by Kimberly | Labels:advice,bucket list,college,france,italy,london,morocco,spain,study abroad,study abroad blog,study abroad bucket list,tips,travel,travel blog,wanderlust

Ciao my loves!

So I am finally getting back to this list (check it out if you haven't!) I made prior to spending 4 months in Italy as a study abroad student. I can't believe the best semester of my life is over and I am graduating this upcoming year. Epic sad-excited-scared-all emotions in one-face. I am absolutely excited to return to school after experiencing more than I will ever again in college within those months.

I was able to visit: Venice, Verona, Positano, Rome, Capri, Pompeii, Nice, Eze, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Arrecife de Lanzarote, Morocco, Monaco, and London (I'm probably missing a few but many countries and cities!)

I cannot tell you how much I cried when I left Florence and had to head back home. I definitely left a piece of my heart in Italy and it will remain there forever <3

Here are some fun ideas for any of you embarking on the semester of your life in Europe for study abroad or if you need ideas for your next European escapade.

It is the moment of truth and I can finally share all that I accomplished on my study abroad bucket list!!

Without further ado...

Eat gelato for the very first time ✔️

Vivaldi Gelato Shop in Florence, Italy

Hike and view Florence from above ✔️

Piazzale Michaelangelo

Cappuccino it up at a local cafe ✔️

Go to an aperitivo...(or like a bunch) ✔️

Attempt to wear heels on cobblestone & catch it on camera ✔️

Have a fabulous night out including partying at a European night club ✔️

Venice & a gondola ride ✔️

Eat an entire pizza without any shame ✔️

*P.S. I did this way too often...evidence below*

Take a totally cliché pic with the Tower of Pisa ✔️

Go to a beach ✔️

Positano, Italy

Gran Canaria, Spain

Eze, France

Go to a soccer game ✔️

Side note: Don't ever go on a rainy day...NOT COOL.

Leave a note on Juliet's Wall (sort of...I touched her boob? Does that count?) ✔️

*adding this again to my Summer Bucket List!*

Visit Platform 9 3/4 ✔️

Go inside a red telephone booth in London ✔️

Go to Vatican city ✔️

Visit the Coliseum ✔️

Go to the French Riviera ✔️

Monaco

Nice, France

Have an adventurous Spring Break ✔️

Go to Morocco ✔️

Hassan II Mosque

Rick's Cafe in Casablanca, Morocco

Go on a cruise ✔️

Ride a camel ✔️

Visit the Amalfi Coast ✔️

Make some fabulous new friends ✔️

And last but certainly not least...

Go on a date ✔️

*.... and maybe you'll meet someone completely out of the blue :)

If you are about to embark on your study abroad adventure, I definitely advise you to make a bucket list and also leave your adventures to spontaneity because you never know what will happen...

xoxo,

3 comments

Escaping to Europe, Graduating College, and Starting A New Chapter

Getting Screamed At By An Italian, A Reunion, and Bologna

Summer Bucket List Ideas + My SBL!

Summer Bucket List 2015

European Travel | Do's, Dont's, Tips & More!

Revisiting My Bucket List

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