Experiencing "Happy" Culture Shock

I had the goofiest smile on my face as the fellow students and I stared out the bus windows, mesmerized at the beauty of Rome. It felt like we were inside a movie set, only this time it was for real and not through a TV screen of a replica somewhere in Los Angeles.

The first time I stepped foot outside the United States was in May 2011 during the opening tour for my study abroad program. We were to spend four days in Rome, and I was a mess of emotions ranging from excited to hysterical on the trip over. Once I had collected my bags and was on the bus to the hotel, all my reservations subsided as I was immediately transported into extreme culture shock - the good, happy-feeling culture shock that comes when you're off the charts excited about experiencing a completely new destination for the first time.

The architecture was so different and so beautiful. The colors, the palm trees, the "lion king trees." The streetside cafes. The old men in suits walking a tiny dog or the ladies donning high fashion on their scooters.

Everything was so different. Everything was so incredible.

As we checked into the hotel, we made plans for first things first - Italian food. We found a cafe and ordered our meals - me, pronouncing "caprese" totally wrong. Rookie mistake! Then we set out to explore, finding our way along the Tiber River and posing for photos along the way. "Guys, can you believe we're in Italy?!" we kept saying to each other.

That extreme boost of happiness carried on throughout the whole weekend, and still stayed strong as we made our way into Florence. I remember walking up to the Duomo for the first time and thinking wow - being frozen still, staring at its dazzling enormity.

Seeing the lights glitter along the river at night, the fluffy pastries in cafe windows, the cobblestone streets, and hearing the Italians speak their musical language. It was all part of the culture shock, and it was positive. I was so happy to be in Italy.

The goal of this blog is to inspire you to travel, whether it's your first trip abroad or your fiftieth. Have somewhere you've always wanted to go? Take the opportunity to go and just book the trip. The excitement that comes from planning a trip and the burst of happiness that occurs during will be worth it 100%.

Travel Tips: Ways To Save Money While You Travel

This is the second part to Travel Tips: How To Save Money For Travel.Now that we've covered a few ways to budget and save before you travel, here are some ways to save while you travel.

Make Money While You Travel

Work abroad, freelance, or work remotely: Working abroad is how I funded going back to Europe twice after college. Whether it's a short term trip and your company pays for you to go there or you're living abroad and working overseas, working as you travel is one of the smartest ways to cut travel costs. Yes, your job is your priority, but even if you have less freedom in your day-to-day schedule, you still get to travel.

This article lists 11 ways to make money while you travel. Some of these are pretty awesome jobs, and if you love what you do, it won't even feel like "work."

Ways To Save Money While You Travel

1. Shop at street food, markets, and grocery stores for food

Eating out should definitely be on your itinerary when you travel! Though you don't necessarily need to go to restaurants for every meal. You can find street food in just about any city, as well as grocery stores (which are great for snacks and pre-made meals like sandwiches). Head to the town's local market for fresh fruit and vegetables and other quick bites.

2. Walk and use public transportation

Rental cars and taxis add up. Plus, you tend to see much more of the city when you walk and pick up on things you wouldn't see otherwise.

3. Bring a refillable water bottle

Another way to curb your costs is to use a refillable water bottle. (Get one with a built-in filter if you're wary about the water). It helps the environment and keeps you hydrated. You can fill it up at your hotel or at a drinking fountain instead of searching for a grocery store - and buying yet another one - when your bottles runs out.

4. Skimp on souvenirs and spend on experiences

Do you really need another magnet, shot glass, or souvenir t-shirt? Spend your money on experiences instead. Take photos and/or videos as a "souvenir" of your amazing time zip lining in Costa Rica or sky diving in Switzerland. Memories last a lifetime - unlike your shot glass that broke in your suitcase on the way back home.

5. Go during the shoulder season if possible

Airfare and hotels are notorious for having outrageous prices during the high season. Which makes sense, since most people can only travel at certain times of the year (like summer or holidays). Crowds are at their busiest and entry lines to attractions are at their longest during the high season. If you can go during the off season (or "shoulder season," which is a few weeks before/after high season), then you're likely to save more than a few bucks on your trip.

6. Carry on your luggage

Checking a bag time and time again can add up, especially if you're taking multiple flights. Excess luggage weight adds even more fees. Try to carry-on as much as possible to avoid this - and the possibility of having your luggage lost. Here's an article with tips on how to pack for 2 weeks with just a carry-on bag.

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Travel Tips: How To Save Money For Travel

Spending money on travel is by far the best thing I've spent money on to date. Growing up, I would always insert money from babysitting and birthdays into my savings account, but I didn't know what I would spend it on. When the time came to study abroad in college over sophomore summer, I went to the bank, took out almost the entirety of my savings, and paid my tuition.

Since then, I've been able to save money for travel in other ways - whether it's working abroad or working full time to save for a trip. Here are a few ways to travel without emptying out your savings account, and how to budget beforehand.

Oh, and don't worry, this isn't another list insisting you give up your daily Starbucks - I happily drink my tall iced coffees daily and still put aside money for travel!

Ways To Save Before a Trip

1. Get a second job ...but don't overwork yourself to the point past exhaustion. If you're already working full time, consider getting a side gig on the weekends.

I worked at a restaurant on the weekends for the past six months, which has brought in hundreds of extra dollars per month. If that seems like too much of a time commitment, you don't have to get a traditional part-time job on the side - consider odd jobs like babysitting or house sitting for more flexibility.

2. Separate your direct deposit paycheck

Put a certain percentage into each of your checking and savings accounts. Keep just your monthly budget in your one account, and don't spend more than that. Physically seeing that you only have $50 in your account till your next paycheck will make it much easier to not buy those new designer shoes.

When you're tempted to dip into your savings for something unnecessary, remind yourself that soon you'll be using it on a trip. Your future self will thank you.

3. Bring your lunch to work This is one thing I've been doing more often. I'm not a fan of cooking, preparing, or even eating food from home (I'm lazy when it comes to cooking) so this took a while for me to begin doing regularly.

When I compared my food spending to last month, I've saved about $300 by bringing my lunch. $300 can go pretty far in some countries.

4. Sell your clothes Do you have old clothes sitting in your closet that you know you'll never wear? (Or those clothes that you think you just might find a use for?)

If you haven't worn them in over a year, you won't even notice they're gone. Anything that's still in decent condition can be sold online. I use Tradesy, but eBay or similar sites work as well.

5. Watch TV online instead of paying for cable

Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube are your friends, allowing you free or inexpensive access to television. If you're going to be traveling anyways, you won't want to be paying for cable when you're abroad, right?

Traveling somewhere where the above sites aren't available? Try this handy trick.

Keep up the inspiration: Make a vision board, Pinterest board, or whatever you need for a visual reminder of why you're saving. It could even be your desktop wallpaper of a map or a photo of your number one destination. Something that serves as a visual reminder to keep you motivated!

Check out the second piece of this article on ways to save money while you're traveling.

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It's Time To Start Living

It's almost March. Where are you on your New Year's goals? Did you set any goals to "travel more," do more of "this" or "that," or simply experience life to the fullest? To take advantage of every opportunity coming your way?

As we've settled into the routine of 2015, our New Year's goals may have gone to the wayside. We've become blind to the list we've had taped to the refrigerator since we see it every day, and as we go about our days, things start to blend together. Now's the time to take a look at how you're keeping track of your goals. (The SMART goal system is my favorite method).

Have you been keeping up with them? Do you need to create a new list in a different color and tape it to a different part of the refrigerator?

Or were your goals crap? I know I've set goals in the past that were over-eager and unattainable for the time frame. Maybe you can throw away the weak goals you've had and just focus on one thing: to live life to the fullest, however you define it for yourself.

It's time to start living. Now, more than ever.

For me, that means focusing on experiences. Specifically, travel experiences. I love traveling so much and to me, traveling as much as possible is living life to the fullest.

So what have I been doing since the new year started? 

-Not traveling, unfortunately...

-Working. A lot. Full-time during the week and part-time at a restaurant on weekends. Which leads me to the next point...

-I'm quitting my weekend job. Working full-time is my priority, and while the extra money has been nice to have (and is going toward my travel savings), I'm beyond excited to have my weekends back. Being able to have the time to relax, recharge, and write is much-needed in life right now.

-I'm planning weekend trips to San Diego and the Grand Canyon, which I can finally put into motion now that my second job isn't holding me back.

-I made a logo for GSE, which was one of my blogging goals. I like it enough for now, and I may look into getting a professional design in the future.

-Reading blogs and travel books. They're enough to satiate my wanderlust while I'm not traveling.

Most of all, I'm taking another look at my goals for the year and tweaking and changing them where it's needed.

You're not tied down to the goals you made almost three months ago. You've probably even changed a little in the past three months. Reflect on if you're living life to the fullest - the way you want to live. Because it's time to start living, and you owe it to yourself to do the things that make you happy.

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Eating Around Europe: What To Try In Turkey, Croatia, Italy

#prost

It wasn't long ago that I was spooning creamy pesto onto my pasta in Italy or nibbling on a bretzel in Austria. The food in Europe is as delicious as it is diverse, and is as diverse as the countries themselves. If you're any sort of a foodie, you'll love trying different foods as you move through Europe. And if you're not a foodie, you'll be surprised how delactable each country's specialties will be. I've rounded up a few European countries with foods you must try while there - think of this as a teaser for your taste buds.

Ireland: Oh goodness, my Guinness!

Guinness is the dark ruby red beer (it's actually not black!) that hails from Ireland. While it's feels filling, it's surprisingly low in calories - only 125 per pint - making it a smart beverage choice when you pair it with heavier foods such as Shepherd's Pie or potatoes. Another staple to try in Ireland? A traditional Irish breakfast. And what's that black pudding stuff? ....Don't ask, just eat.

Germany: Prost!

#prost

You'll find the best brews in the land of Oktoberfest. My preference is Hefeweizen for a wheaty, fruity flavor, which you'll find as well as the bock, pilsner, or alt beers, to name a few. Pair your beer with soft pretzel, bratwurst, or spätzle.

Austria: Soccer-what?

Austria, similar to Germany, has some of the best beers, sausage, and pretzels. You must try sachertorte, a specialty in Austria - it's a slightly dusty chocolate ganache cake that tastes fantastic with espresso. Austrian desserts tend to be lighter and fluffier, so the sachertorte is a slight break from that.

Italy: Where you cut the pizza yourself (and it's way better that way)

Ah, Italy, the food capital of Europe. Fresh tomatoes await, adorned atop Caprese salads or sandwiched between a panini. You'll undoubtedly want to try true Italian pizza, noted by how you slice it yourself. Drizzle olive oil on top after it's served for some extra flavor.

Hand-crafted pasta of all shapes and sizes are another obvious choice for lunch and dinner eats; try different types with new sauces and you'll never be bored with the limitless variations of textures.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and pair your meal with wine. Finally, finish it off with a sweet dessert, either with tiramasu or gelato for something satiating, or with a few sips of often-complimentary limoncello.

Also read: Where to find good food in Florence on a budget and The Best Places in Italy to Eat traditional Italian foods

Turkey: Would you like fries with (in) that?

Besides shepherd's salad (diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers) the food in Turkey tends to be more meat-heavy. Meat and rice make for a tasty and filling combination, so make sure you come hungry. You'll find kebaps all around Europe, and they make for a nice snack after a night out. Though you don't have to save kebaps for just late nights post-party, and in Turkey you'll see them everywhere. Meat, rice, veggies, fries, and yogurt (it's different than American yogurt, more of a garlic-sour cream sauce), are delicious all combined in a wrap.

Have a sweet tooth? Finish your meal with baklava, Turkish tea, or freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.

Croatia: Fish...a whole fish

Croatia Fish

Seeing as the country of Croatia contains so much coastline, it's no surprise that the seafood is out of this world. You'll order fish at a restaurant, and it'll be incredibly fresh - so much so that it comes on a plate complete with the head, skin, and bones. If you haven't eaten fish that way and the thought makes you wary, at least give it a try - once you get past the skin you'll realize it is definitely worth it. And definitely delicious.

Other Croatian food is somewhat Italian inspired (they do share borders, after all), and you'll find variations of pizza, pasta, and gelato, as well as fast food restaurants.

7 Romantic Places in Europe

7 Romantic Places in Europe

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, it's that time of year to begin imagining - or actually visiting - romantic destinations around the world. Whether you choose to go with a s/o or head there solo, these 7 places in Europe ooze romantic charm.

1. The Arno River; Florence, Italy

Firenze is filled with Renaissance art and colorfully painted buildings. Walking along the Arno River past the Ponte Vecchio is the perfect setting for a romantic stroll as you take in the beauty of the city lining the river. Walk from the river up to Piazzale Michaelangelo or Miniato to watch the sunset slowly drape over the red-tiled rooftops for a wistful experience you'll never forget.

2. Cinque Terre; Monterosso al Mare (pictured), Italy

With Italy being one of the romance capitols of Europe, I had to include another Italian destination on this list. Cinque Terre, while often crowded with tourists in the summer, earns a well-deserved spot. Walk along the trails that connect the five small towns and soak up the sights of the pastel cliffside homes along the Mediterranean coast. Bonus: you can make Cinque Terre a day trip from Florence.

3. Lake Bled; Bled, Slovenia

At picturesque Lake Bled, you'll find a mini island in the middle of the water with a church. You can row boats around the lake and row up to the island. Traditionally, for weddings at the church, the groom must carry his bride all the way up the 99 steps.

4. Neuschwanstein Castle; Bavaria, Germany

By now you've probably heard of this German castle (which inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle), which rests atop a hill within the Bavaria region in Southern Germany. You'll be surprised a setting this romantic exists in real life!

5. Mirabell Gardens; Salzburg, Austria

This Austrian town is where The Sound of Music takes place and was filmed. Walk by the Mirabell Gardens or among the colorful shops to feel like you stepped inside a storybook daydream.

6. Burg Square; Brugges, Belgium

You'll recognize Brussel's sibling city Brugges by the lego-like buildings in Burg Square. Stroll past the unique architecture and then head over to Minnewater Lake, where swans swimming await.

7. The Eiffel Tower; Paris, France

While in Paris, you simply must not pass up the opportunity to watch the Eiffel Tower light up at night and be there when it sparkles for the first five minutes of the hour. Even though you'll see the Eiffel Tower peeking out throughout the city, there's nothing like actually being right in front of it, marveling in its enormity. Seeing it sparkle will be something you'll never forget.

An easy and exciting way to travel (and maybe hit more than one of these destinations) is to take a cruise. Whether it's for an anniversary, honeymoon, or adventurous getaway abroad, there are endless ways to make your vacation special. Suggestion? Take an unforgettable Europe cruise with Celebrity.

These Photos Will Make You Want To Visit Croatia

sunset croatia

Croatia has been on the up-and-coming European destinations list for some time now, and it's easy to see why: sparkling, clear water on the Adriatic Sea, lush greenery and waterfalls at the National Parks (like Krka, pictured below), and medieval towns on the coast. One look at these photos and you'll be booking the next ticket to Split!

Driving-in-Croatia

Swan-in-Croatia-Krka

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Krka-Waterfalls

Trogir Croatia

Krka-waterfalls-swimming