Gemma writes from Brugge

Well, Brugge is absolutely lovely and everything I had dreamed it would be. This was one of the first destinations we picked when planning this trip and it hasn't let me down! Cobblestone streets leading to the huge Markt and the CHOCOLATE! amazing.
Yesterday we went to Brussels. That was sort of overwhelming. I much prefer Brugge, which you can walk in like 15 minutes. But we did see the Magritte museum and the Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels, which were awesome.
Before this, we were in Amsterdam, which I loved also. I don't think I am going to be in a city I don't love! At first Amsterdam seemed dirty and dark, compared to Galway, but after wandering the canals, I realized how beautiful it is. Definitely a city worth at least 3-4 days.
Hopefully we can write again soon!

Gemma writes from Galway

Gemma: "This is our 4th day in Galway! We have spent the last 2 days at The Cliffs of Moher and Kylemore Abbey, so today is our only FULL day in Galway. The hours of most stores here is 10-5:30 (or 6), so we are excited to go to the Museum and a secondhand bookstore today! I want to stock up on a book or two since I don't know what the selection will be like once we get to a mostly-non-english-speaking country. The hostel we're staying at in Galway is awesome--a great free breakfast, some free internet, great rooms. And Galway itself is so lovely with adorable pubs and shops and tons of street performers! We saw the band "Mutefish" playing and I loved them, so I bought their CD. I think they have a myspace page, so go look them up. I am currently fighting a little cold, so I am glad we aren't doing anything too strenuous today.
much love to all!!"

Gemma writes from Dublin

Gemma: "We are now in Dublin, Ireland! We spent the last week in Stratford-upon-Avon, at a B&B on the Yorkshire Dales, and in Edinburgh! My personal highlight of Stratford was seeing "The Winter's Tale" with the Royal Shakespeare Company--it was absolutely one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.
The Yorkshire Dales were so lovely and the B&B was just spectacular (the best breakfast EVER!) It was called Skirbeck Farm, near Long Preston, and I would recommend it to anyone who will be near the Dales. There are cows and sheep everywhere and they stare at you!
Edinburgh was lovely also, even though it has been the most tourist-y place we have been so far. The castle was so amazing--like a little city. It rained a lot there.
And now, as I said, we are in Dublin! This is my favorite big city so far. I just love the Irish people. It is so laid back and wonderful. We made friends with 4 girls in our hostel, who we went "Pub Crawl"-ing with last night (fun!)

Hopefully we can do another update soon!!

London was amazing! Too many places to name but we went everywhere we wanted to. Now we are in Cardiff, Wales. It is raining here with wonderfully cool weather. In London it was very hot so we are happy to have cool weather now in Cardiff. Our first rain here in the UK. We will be going to Cardiff Castle tomorrow July 7, so till then!