Expedition Stevens

After five and a half weeks on the road we landed in Croatia, the final destination of our European adventure. It's hard to compare any of the locations we visited because they all had different attributes that made them unique but Croatia might be our favorite. One of the attractions that helped sway our vote was Plitvice National Park. It is a popular tourist destination for a reason; crystal clear waters teaming with fish, waterfalls rushing from over cliffs from one lake to the next, and a ferry boat ride that lets you glide across an enchanting lake. Pictures don't do it justice but we will try to share the breathtaking awe of this beautiful park. After walking through that you will definitely work up an appetite and there is no better place to eat than Croatia. The local food is amazing and there is such a wide variety in style depending on your location. Seafood is the star anywhere along the coast and "under the bell" is a popu

Ahhh Italy, the land of pasta, cheese and meat. And more pasta, cheese and meat, and then pizza. But are the ingredients sourced sustainably? And what about the veggies? Traveling in Rome makes it difficult to find veggies on the go and most places weren't very helpful in knowing where there food came from. It was definitely not an episode of Portlandia. For people like ourselves who regularly eat vegetables at every meal it was difficult to reduce our intake to one serving of their goodness a day - minus what was puréed in our tomato sauce, no matter how good it may have tasted. And then we found it, a diamond in the rough. Fa-bìo, a hole in the wall restaurant within a few blocks of St. Peter's Square. All organic, fresh bread,  raw veggies,  delectable dressing, and great service. The best part, was we felt full without the food hangover. The movement is catching on.  Hopefully more restaurants will join in.

Another amazing outdoor (and underground) activity in Sardinia is the Grotta di Nettuno. The limestone cliff over looking the Mediterranean holds a surprise that is not to be missed if you ever end up on the island. An easy 654 steps, with railing, will lead you to this amazing cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites. A guided tour of the tunnel starts every hour and tickets are paid for at the cave entrance. Don't forget your euros or you'll be making the trek twice. While you wait, you can sit at the cave entrance which is just above the water level and watch newcomers get splashed by the spray of the breaks along the path wall.  The entertainment is worth getting there a little early. Then the real fun begins. You go deeper into the cliff, between narrow walls made by hundreds of years of dripping water, and then you see the first cavern. Before you have a chance to absorb it's awesomeness you'll be rushed across a walkway by a guide who has been

We're not sure what was more intense, the rocky 4k hike or the drive along the east coast of Sardinia, that must be completed to reach Cala Goloritze. Both were worth it. Follow along in our photos as we take you with us. First, hairpin turns along the winding cliffside. Jerome hardly seemed to notice but for someone like me (Nicole), who's timid about heights, it was enough to turn a stomach. Not any pics of this, I was too busy white-knuckling my arm rest. Then, the road hazards, by this I mean all types of free roaming farm animals. Now, for the hike itself. You're surrounded by a Mediterranean forrest full of intriguing rock formations and the smell of the salt air. The clearly marked path winds it's way down the hillside through 4k of loose rock with the occasional change of gravel or sand. And then you see it. Your first glimpse of the sea. But there's more... And more...  And more...

In an area with so many outdoor activities and great organic grocery store options what do you do? Set up a home base, make day trips and cook the local food like pro. We chose Gordes, France as our basecamp to explore the Luberon region and we were not disappointed. A great campground, Camping des Sources, was nestled in the hills just north of Gordes. We broke from our traditional tent camping and opted for a small gite with a full kitchen and all the wonders you can make with a small stove and local produce. The campground also had a trail leading to the nearby village (approx 30 min hike) and offered great morning exercise. And can you beat the view from the campground pool? Some of our favorite places we visited were Rousillon, Carmague, and Gordes itself. Roussillon is an artist haven with little shops lining the hilly streets and only 25 minute drive away. The town also offers a step back in time by taking a walk on the Ochre Trail. This 1.5 hour walk has amazing views of h