In 2013 I was given the privilege of representing Team USA in the Nation’s Cup Theater on Ice competition, which was held in Logrono, Spain.
I traveled to Europe with my father. He and I created memories that will last a lifetime, memories that still feel like they happened yesterday. We decided to turn the trip to Logrono into a vacation and traveled throughout more of Europe after the competition ended.
We flew to Barcelona, Spain and spent the first two days there. Here is the beginning of our adventure.My first cappuccino in Spain. When my father and I arrived at the hotel in Barcelona we both knew we needed to stay awake for the rest of the day to try and adjust to the time change so he ordered himself an espresso while I sipped on my cappuccino before we headed out to find breakfast somewhere.
We found somewhere to eat breakfast!!! The bacon that we ate in Barcelona was the best bacon I have ever had in my entire life, the orange juice and eggs were delightful as well.I made a new friend while I was in Barcelona. It’s okay that she can’t speak right…?I enjoyed seeing things like Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Chipotle while I was in Europe. I don’t know exactly why it made me smile and want to take a picture other than the fact that it was cool to see the same food sources in different parts of the world. I guess it was just the sense of connection that it gave you to different countries and cultures that I really liked about it.My father and I in Barcelona.When in Spain you must eat Tapas.I was unaware of the fact that professional soccer players could also figure skate? 😉Figure skating rink in Barcelona!We made it to Logrono! Now it’s time for some wine tasting.
I was able to enjoy wine tasting in Logrono with one of my very best friends, we made so many great memories finding all of the different vineyards to explore with her parents and my father.
My father and I found the cutest and most delicious bakery that was nearby our hotel in Logrono, we were able to enjoy yummy Spanish breakfast every morning before we had to head to the skating rink for the competition events.
Being apart of this theater on ice team was wonderful and I couldn’t have been happier representing my country while doing what I love. We all worked as hard as we possibly could and ended up 7th in the world.Representing Team USA with my teammates.Looking very American whilst strolling the streets of Logrono.
My father and I enjoyed some delicious coffee and chocolates before we hopped on the hotel train and headed to Paris, France.Arc de TriompheI literally ate four crepes and we were only in Paris for a day and a half… Needless to say they were delicious.My father and I strolling through the Champs Elysées.The Notre Dame de Paris was beautiful. It felt amazing being able to see something so historically rich.The stained glass windows were incredible.The Louvre happened to be closed the one day we were visiting Paris, but we were at least able to enjoy the beauty of the outside.The amount of gold that is used to embellish Paris is amazing! This was just a neat part of a bridge we were walking over.The weather was a little crazy near the Eiffel Tower.It started to rain once we got to the Eiffel Tower so my father and I decided to take a break from touring and ate dinner at a little restaurant right next to the tower. We both enjoyed croque monsieur before we headed up to the top of the tower.The view of Paris from the tower was one thing, watching the Eiffel Tower light up at night was one of the most magical things I have ever seen in my life and I couldn’t help but bare the biggest smile while watching it sparkle.We had an amazing French breakfast before heading to London, England.On the train headed to London. It had always been a dream of mine to visit anywhere in Europe, but I had wanted to visit London the very most!Piccadilly Square in London.I just had to take one of those cliché English telephone booth pictures.Big Ben. It was even more beautiful at night.I had never tried fish & chips before and my father promised me I would love it, boy was he right!!! Fish & chips in London are definitely a must have.My very first pub!! My father enjoyed a nice glass of beer while I enjoyed my wine.
This London guard wasn’t very excited to take a picture with me… We got one anyways though 😉Westminster Abbey, oh Westminister Abbey… Being able to view the tombs of the English Kings and Queens was amazing, I have always had an obsession with British royalty and history and just being able to walk through this palace definitely fed my hunger to be closer to history.
The very first Hard Rock Cafe.I had to take a picture of this cab driving around London. Being a huge Harry Potter nerd it made me very excited to see this.
Buckingham Palace.The Tower of London was my favorite place to visit out of everything I was able to see in Europe. I could have spent all day there.The Bloody Tower!! We all know what happened in there or at least we have an idea…The London Bridge.