Saying Goodbye and Heading North
I said goodbye to my friends and began to move back north to fly homeward.
But I couldn’t resist stopping in Pisa, the important historical town in Tuscany, along the coast that leads to Florence, and home to the famous Piazza dei Miracoli with its leaning tower, cemetery, and cathedral.
Exploring Pisa With a Backpack
Pisa, the charming city in Italy, offers convenient services for travelers like me.
With a luggage check service at the train station, it became effortless to trade my backpack for a paper ticket and embark on my journey through the city, captivated by the rich history and iconic landmarks that awaited me.
I set out on foot to explore the city.
Along the way, I meandered through the enchanting old town center, adorned with 12th-century squares and charming alleyways.
Crossing the Arno River, I marveled at its significance as a crucial communication route and naval base during medieval times.
Finally Seeing the Leaning Tower
But nothing compared to the awe-inspiring moment when I laid my eyes on the world-renowned symbol of Pisa—the iconic leaning tower.
And when you visit Pisa, like seeing any great icon, the first view of the famous leaning tower will be forever remembered.
One More Country: Monaco
With one more country on my itinerary, I retrieved my backpack and hopped on a train bound for Monaco, the glamorous destination renowned for its famous Monte Carlo.
After experiencing the allure of Monaco, I headed back north from the bottom to the top of France to catch my flight back home.
Returning to Ramstein, Germany, I found myself with a hotel room overlooking the tarmac—a reminder of the incredible journey I had undertaken.
The Journey Home
As I embarked on my Space-A chartered flight back into BWI, the conclusion of my first European adventure drew near.
It had been a whirlwind trip, filled with remarkable experiences and cherished memories.
Throughout my journey, I came to a profound realization—life is not solely about reaching a destination; it is a beautiful and continuous journey.
27 Countries, 20,000 Miles and Counting
In a little over 100 days, I had explored twenty-seven countries, embarked on seven flights, indulged in seven cruises, sailed on two ferries, and traversed over 20,000 miles.
It reminded me that life is composed of the chances we encounter and the choices we make.
It is essential to seize those opportunities, make wise decisions, and live life to the fullest.
Where I Stayed
Ramstein Inn
During my few days back in Germany, I stayed at the Ramstein Inn on Ramstein Air Base. For a traveler using the military’s Space-A system, staying on base was particularly convenient because it put me right where I needed to be for flights through the Ramstein Passenger Terminal.
One of the biggest advantages was the location. The main lodging facility is located at Building 3336 within the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center, or KMCC. The massive facility includes the Exchange, restaurants, a food court, movie theater, recreation facilities, car rentals, and other services. It is almost like having a small American town right on the air base.
For me, the Ramstein Inn was less about luxury and more about convenience and the unique experience of staying on an active American military installation in Germany. As someone traveling through Europe using Space-A flights, it was exactly the kind of place that made the journey possible—and Ramstein itself became an important part of my European travel adventures.
