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This month was the calm between the storms. With our Prague wedding ceremony ending on the finish of Might and our Boston wedding ceremony beginning in the beginning of July, June can be a time to relaxation, regroup, and take off to Italy for a couple of days.
Nah, I’m kidding. It could be a time to panic, stress out over the Boston wedding ceremony preparations…and take off to Italy for a couple of days.
Right here’s what I obtained as much as in June!
Locations Visited
- Prague, Čerčany, and Týnec nad Sázavou, Czech Republic
- Naples and Ischia (together with Ischia Porto, Forio, Serrara Fontana, and Lacco Ameno), Italy
- Boston and Somerville, Massachusetts, USA
Highlights
A beautiful mini-moon to Ischia. Charlie and I are saving the massive honeymoon for the top of the yr (Chile and Argentina), however we wished to take a brief getaway in Italy first. Enter Ischia!
Ischia is an island off the coast of Naples, and it’s shortly develop into one among my favourite islands in Italy! Ischia primarily attracts Italians, and Neapolitans particularly, so the island caters to locals slightly than far-afield guests. For instance, you received’t discover memento retailers on each nook — however you WILL discover tons of mid-range clothes retailers!
Ischia has loads to do for a couple of days. Certain, there are seashores, however there are additionally thermal scorching springs, mountains to climb, a beautiful fort set on the ocean, agriturismi dishing up stewed rabbit, and loads of fabulous pizza. Considered one of our favourite actions was taking a personal boat journey across the island, which was much more reasonably priced than you would possibly anticipate.
I’m excited to write down about Ischia. It deserves to be a significant a part of your go to to southern Italy. Don’t simply go to the Amalfi Coast and transfer on — Ischia is basically price spending a couple of days.
Going rafting within the Czech Republic. Czechs LOVE rafting, and I’ve been wanting ahead to doing this for a very long time. 4 of us headed out to the city of Čerčany, rented a raft, and paddled all the best way to Týnec nad Sázavou, a 14-kilometer journey. A enjoyable time out, even when we needed to drag the raft throughout a couple of weirs!
Plenty of Prague enjoyable. We’re in meals pageant season and obtained to go to Žižkov Beer Pageant, a pop-up Bubbles Pageant, Latin American Pageant, and Prague Ice Cream Fest. We had a barbecue on the container bar by the river, hit up some cocktail bars, and went to Tuscany Wine Evening.
Strawberry season! Peak strawberry season hits Prague in June, and this yr we gorged on extra scrumptious native berries. This yr I made the NYT recipe for Strawberry Spoon Cake, which was fabulous and buttery and disappeared INSTANTLY.
Flying enterprise class to Boston. We splurged on enterprise class flights to Boston for our wedding ceremony and this was the primary time I’ve flown British Airways Membership World (long-haul enterprise class). SO good. Flying is definitely enjoyable that means.
Having fun with our time in Boston. I’ve taken Charlie to Boston a couple of occasions, however just for day journeys. It was good to really keep in a single day — and within the coronary heart of Beacon Hill! I’ve by no means truly stayed in Beacon Hill earlier than, nevertheless it’s a beautiful place and good and quiet at evening. (Don’t keep there within the winter, although — these steep hills are harmful when icy.)
We took a journey on the Swan Boats, ate at out of doors eating places within the South Finish, I visited the Sézane popup on Newbury Avenue, I took Charlie and his dad across the Freedom Path (enhanced with tales from my early-to-mid-twenties, after all), and my mother and her associate Tom took us on a enjoyable boat journey round Boston Harbor. It’s fairly cool parking your boat on the Barking Crab and strolling on up!
Challenges
Bank card fraud hell. Considered one of my bank cards obtained compromised final month — however after I obtained the brand new one, as quickly as I obtained it, the identical fraudulent transaction occurred AGAIN. Then it occurred on Charlie’s approved card on my account as properly!
It seems that some companies are mechanically despatched your new bank card quantity when it updates. I had NO concept this was a factor. Certain, it’s handy once you’re switching fee strategies, but when it’s fraud, you will get charged once more!
Anyway — it took a while with the cardboard firm, however they have been capable of forestall the brand new quantity from being despatched to anybody. What a trouble.
Murray swallowed a rubber band. After some preliminary panic, we realized that we simply needed to play the ready recreation and dig via his poop to verify it made its means out (FUN!). It took about 55 hours. Oh, Murray Bear!
Getting caught within the final hailstorm. Charlie and I made a decision to spend a Saturday out gallivanting across the metropolis, and it shortly become dodging rainstorms. And at last after we obtained to an out of doors pub, the anticipated brief drizzle become a HAILSTORM with large icy hailstones as we shrank beneath an umbrella!
(I turned it right into a humorous Reel. I wish to make extra stuff like this.)
Not having good pillows in Boston. The older I get, the extra I want good pillows with the intention to sleep. However I solely bear in mind to carry my journey contour pillow 50% of the time, and I foolishly didn’t carry it to Boston.
These Boston pillows have been terrible — the type of down pillows the place your head simply falls into them and your neck has no help. I didn’t understand how dangerous it was till 4 days in when my complete physique was hurting. Get a very good journey pillow, individuals!
Weblog Posts of the Month
Finest 14-Day Croatia Itinerary — Wow, was this publish overdue! I’m so glad I lastly wrote it — and made it nearly as good a bit as I may, even together with little extensions in Istria and Montenegro.
28 Fabulous Issues to Do in Naples, Italy — Naples may be my new favourite metropolis in Italy. What an unimaginable place!! Too many individuals falsely see it as harmful (sadly Fb feedback obtained out of hand on this one…), however those that have hung out there just lately know what it’s truly like.
This Month on Patreon
On the Adventurous Kate Patreon, I publish unique content material and never-told tales you could entry for $6 monthly. We even have a personal Fb group and members get free entry to the E-book Membership every month.
This month, I shared two items of content material — my downloadable 36-page information towards touring in Croatia for 2 weeks, which is on the market on the weblog publish they usually obtained without cost, in addition to one other downloadable Croatia information I made as a lead magnet, and a marriage pictures preview.
This month goes to be a heavier month to make up for final month being on the lighter facet. I really feel like breaking down the very best seaside locations in Italy and which of them are finest for which individuals.
E-book Membership This Month
Our subsequent e-book membership will happen in August — on Sunday, August 13, at 7:00 PM ET. We can be studying Within the Shadow of the Mountain by Peruvian writer and adventurer Silvia Vasquez-Lavado.
“Countless ice. Skinny air. The specter of dropping into nothingness 1000’s of ft beneath. That is the climb Silvia Vasquez-Lavado braves in her page-turning, pulse-raising memoir chronicling her journey to Mount Everest.
A Latina hero within the elite macho tech world of Silicon Valley, privately, she was hanging by a thread. Deep within the throes of alcoholism, hiding her sexuality from her household, and repressing the abuse she’d suffered as a toddler, she began climbing. One thing in regards to the brute pressure required for the ascent—the danger and spirit and sheer measurement of the mountains and dying’s shut proximity—woke her up. She then took her largest ache as a survivor to the largest mountain: Everest.
‘The Mom of the World,’ because it’s identified in Nepal, permits few to succeed in her summit, however Silvia didn’t go alone. She gathered a bunch of younger feminine survivors and led them to base camp alongside her. It was by no means straightforward. At occasions hair-raising, nerve-racking, and all the time difficult, Silvia remembers the acute anxiousness of main a bunch of novice climbers to Everest’s base, all of the whereas coping together with her personal nerves of summiting. However, there have been additionally moments of peace, pleasure, and therapeutic with the energy of her fellow survivors and group propelling her ahead.
Within the Shadow of the Mountain is a exceptional story of heroism, one which awakens in all of us a lust for journey, an urge for food for danger, and religion in our personal resilience.”
You may be taught extra in regards to the e-book and purchase it right here.
You may signal as much as attend the e-book membership right here. Hope to see you there!
Trend Discover of the Month
I jumped via one million hoops for an outfit this month — and it was price it! I’m an enormous fan of the French model Maje, and for months I’ve been eyeing this matching pink openwork prime and shorts combo. This month, it went on sale. HUGE sale. FINAL sale.
Right here’s the factor — regardless of the actual fact that there’s a Maje retailer actually in Prague, virtually nothing goes on sale there. And regardless of THAT, they don’t ship anyplace within the Czech Republic (!!). Sure, they’ve an EU website, nevertheless it solely ships to the Netherlands, Portugal, and Luxembourg. (Additionally they ship to Germany, France, and the US on country-specific websites.)
I went via EVERY possibility. I may ship to the US, as I used to be about to move there, however US costs have been rather more costly. I may order the outfit from Farfetch, which ships Maje garments to the Czech Republic, however there was no sale there.
I truly thought-about taking the bus to the following retailer — Leipzig, Germany — for the day, however they didn’t have the outfit in inventory.
Then a couple of buddies in several nations kindly provided to obtain the package deal and ship it on to me. I took my pal Ali in Berlin up on her provide. I shipped it in a single day to her, and had FedEx decide it up and ship it to me the following day.
It matches, it’s fabulous, and I’m READY for the Barbie film!! However I in all probability received’t go to this a lot bother for an outfit once more!
Aspect Tasks Replace
That is the month that New Hampshire Manner, my New Hampshire website, went from making a not-quite-enough-to-live-on-income to a yeah-I-could-live-on-that-income. How? Excessive season, child!
That is the primary time I’ve had Mediavine advertisements working throughout excessive season, and the distinction is STARK. New Hampshire would possibly technically be a year-round vacation spot (properly, aside from mud season within the spring), however I’m realizing the sheer distinction in numbers for summer season journey.
The excellent news is that this site visitors surge ought to proceed via mid-October for fall foliage season earlier than quieting down once more. I want to determine find out how to maximize it within the meantime.
Most Well-liked Reel on Instagram
I need you to know that I’ve been making main modifications on Instagram recently, posting numerous enjoyable Reels about completely different journey and life content material. I’d like to have you ever observe me at @adventurouskate! And sure, I’m on Threads too!
This month’s hottest Reel is in regards to the Peter Pan Afternoon Tea I did final summer season at Aqua Shard in London. This can be a fabulous afternoon tea — the meals is scrumptious, the theme is on level, and the placement is magical, making you’re feeling such as you’re flying above London.
You may watch it right here. Put it in your listing on your subsequent London go to!
What I Watched This Month
Okay everybody — Anyone Someplace is my new favourite present. You’ll LOVE THIS SHOW, which airs on HBO.
This present is about Sam, a forty-something girl who returned to her Kansas hometown to deal with her dying sister. The present begins six months after her passing and opens with Sam assembly a brand new pal, Joel. The 2 of them are misfits who hit it off immediately, and he introduces her to a brand new group.
Some individuals name this a “coming of center age story.” Greater than something, it’s about discovered household and constructing an unconventional life in a midwestern small city. It’s created by comic Bridget Everett, who stars as Sam.
This present is mild, small-towny, and wickedly humorous. It’s filling the outlet that Parks & Rec left in my coronary heart. And I really like that it stars a 50-something plus-sized girl and a forged of average-looking individuals (together with queer characters which are truly well-rounded). I can’t advocate it sufficient. There are solely 14 25-minute episodes.
Under Deck replace: This month, Charlie and I completed Under Deck: Crusing Yacht Season Two — and I can now say that is THE BEST SEASON OF BELOW DECK EVER. Don’t watch it on your first season ever — reserve it.
This season has EVERYTHING — a reliable crew that may deal with a real emergency! A scary boat crash! An truly nice chief stew! Some actually bizarre visitors! A hookup between a boss and his worker on the FIRST NIGHT! Chaotic bisexuals! An STI scare! Hilarious cuts to Captain Glenn watching alien documentaries! AND A SCANDAL THAT YOU DON’T FIND OUT UNTIL THE REUNION!
Charlie and I’ve now had sufficient time away from Captain Sandy and Malia after the MARITIME LAW scandal of season 5 that we’re prepared to return to the Med. We’ve began Under Deck Med: Season Six and I’ll report extra on it subsequent month.
What I Learn This Month
Aftershocks by Nadia Owusu (2021) — Nadia grew up dwelling between cultures — daughter of a Ghanian father who died when she was 13 and an Armenian American mom who deserted her when she was two; dwelling her life between Italy, Ethiopia, Tanzania, ending in New York; a stepmother who weaponized a secret; looking for her means on this planet. Her life’s largest moments are characterised as earthquakes — therefore aftershocks.
This e-book is heavy — however when you give it the time and house it deserves, it will likely be rewarding for you. You get so deep into Owusu’s head that if I met her on the road in New York, I’d flip and stroll away as a result of I felt like I knew too many private issues about her.
On the floor, her life story is so unhappy. However it’s genuinely, superbly informed, and she or he has a singular voice that I’d like to listen to rather more of. (And actually, it type of jogged my memory of how significantly better Matthew Perry’s memoir may have been if he had had a good editor.)
The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abe (2021) — Probably the most well-known couple on the Titanic was the Astors — John Jacob Astor, 47, who perished within the wreck, and Madeleine, his pregnant 18-year-old spouse, who survived. This fictionalized novel tells the story of their courtship and all-too-short marriage.
First off — I swear I began this e-book earlier than the entire Titanic submersible factor occurred! Complete coincidence. I used to be actually to dive into the story of this 17-year-old who married an extremely rich 46-year-old, particularly because it was billed as an epic romance.
Finally, although, I really feel like this e-book didn’t have a plot. It was very “this occurred, then this occurred, then this occurred,” with none narrative arc. Madeleine and Jack had an ideal, flawless relationship on this e-book with out a lot as a disagreement or second of uncertainty (actually? She was 17 and he was 46! Was she REALLY that mature?!). After which they obtained married. After which they have been completely satisfied. After which they obtained on the Titanic. Okay.
Coming Up in July 2023
I’m posting this one third of the best way into the month. The start of the month was all about our Boston wedding ceremony! After the marriage and per week within the Boston space, we headed to London for a couple of days to see Charlie’s household earlier than heading again to Prague.
Past that, that is gearing as much as be a really busy summer season (I’m seeing I didn’t be taught my lesson from my packed-to-the-gills summer season of 2022). Charlie and I’ve two brief journeys — first, a drive down into Salzburg and Tirol for an appointment that we’re turning right into a mini getaway, then a fast journey to Copenhagen.
On the finish of July, we head to Dubrovnik to start a Croatia and Montenegro journey for my thirty ninth birthday. You already know I’m all the time completely satisfied to return to those two fantastic nations, and this time I’m wanting ahead to visiting some new locations — together with Durmitor Nationwide Park and Perast in Montenegro, and Cavtat and the Elafiti Islands in Croatia.
What are you as much as this summer season? Share away!
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