Thursday, January 28, 2010

I'm booked!!!

OK, quick rundown!

I booked with Susan <3 from Ships 'N' Trips Travel and kickbuttvacations.com and she has been amazing!!!

I am leaving June 30th, on British Airways. I am flying in to London Gatwick and then getting myself to the hotel I will be spending the next 2 nights at, Royal National. I will spend the 1st and 2nd exploring London on my own, so any tips or must sees would be awesome. I know for sure one of these days I will be heading to Charles Dickens' house and to Harrod's, but as of now that is all that is on my agenda for London. I would also like to go see the Globe Theater, which I will probably do one of those 2 days.

On July 3rd, I will meet up with the Contiki tour and head to Stonehenge, have a tour of the city, see a West End show! Then off to Paris, I am hoping to do the Moulin Rouge excursion, it would be AMAZING! <3 2 days in Paris are guided, and the last 2 are not. So I am taking Paris suggestions as well!

I head back to London on July 11th, and then up the Edinburgh. I will spend 1 night in a hotel in Edinburgh, then head to University of Edinburgh and SUISS! I will be there for 6 weeks. On August 22nd I am checking out of SUISS and heading back to London, via train. I will spend one final night in London, then head home Monday, August 23rd. I hope no one minds me missing the first day of classes!

I have to say, I cannot say enough good things about Susan and all her help, she's been amazing!!! This whole process has been overwhelming, and I am so relieved to have her to ask questions to, and to have it all booked already! Now I just need June 30th to come...and quickly!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Europe Preperations

So I'm going to Europe this summer. The prep has been very overwhelming! I am doing 6 weeks in Scotland at SUISS at the University of Edinburgh studying Literature. Before that I am heading to London and Paris to explore. The treck to Edinburgh is the easy leg of this trip, once I get there I have housing and everything all set for me. London and Paris however, a bit more confusing. Plus I have a ton of luggage to worry about due to a massive amount of textbooks I need to bring.

So planning took me to Contiki Tours, and Kick Butt Vacations www.kickbuttvacations.com which has been amazing! Their tours are awesome, guided, but not too guided. I am very excited. I have also been researching Air and rail travel. it is looking like I will be buying a Rail Pass for my voyage from London to Edinburgh and back, and taking the train from Paris to London through the Chunnel.

The trip will start from Orlando with a flight to London, British or Virgin Airways, then 2 nights in London, on the 3rd day I will meet up with Contiki tours, do London and Paris, then head back to London, hop on the train to Edinburgh, spend a night in Edinburgh, then check in to SUISS where I will spend the next 6 weeks!

As I get more in depth to planning and preparing for the trip I will keep this updated!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Pineapple Sorbet

Being gluten free isn't easy, add in an allergy to corn and honey and dessert is a nightmare. However I successfully made AWESOME pineapple sorbet last night!

I am working with a kitchen-aid mixer with the ice cream attachment.

1 can crushed dole pineapple in 100% pineapple juice
1 TBSP lime juice
1 1/4 simple syrup (boil 1 cup water 1 cup sugar until combined)

Take COLD pineapple and lime juice and blend in blender.
Add cooled simple syrup.

Pour in mixer, and mix for 12 minutes.

Can be eaten right out of the maker or frozen.