Shoes can make or break a trip, especially traveling abroad. I know, because my boyfriend and I just spent three weeks backpacking through Southern Italy and my feet couldn’t be happier. I took two pairs of shoes: a pair of sandals I wore on my last trip to Europe and a brand new pair of KEEN Balboa sandals. In hindsight, it was a little gutsy to rely on a brand new pair of shoes for a trip like this, but the KEEN Balboas were the best shoes I’ve ever traveled with.
We started in Matera, an ancient town of “cave dwellings” carved into the side of rocky cliffs. The caves are connected by a labyrinth of rocky paths and stairways and we walked for hours and miles getting lost in the maze. The town is relatively remote, like many of the places we would visit, which made me realize that walking would often be my only mode of transportation. I came up with a game plan to keep my feet in top form, alternating between my old sandals and my new KEENs to give my feet a rest from any rubbing or irritation. Little annoyances can become big problems on a trip like this, and I really didn’t want my enjoyment to be hindered by uncomfortable feet.
Next, we visited Alberobello, a town built of Trulli, which are round stone buildings with conical roofs. I strapped on my KEENs, even though it was their day off, because the uneven paths connecting the Trulli are like land mines for stubbed toes. The toe protection of my KEENs made them the wiser choice – the breeziness of a sandal, with the protection of a shoe. As a day trip,wholesale true religion jeans, we walked to the Grotte di Castellana, a remarkable cave system with caverns of natural columns formed by dripping minerals. Photos weren’t allowed, but look it up some time; you’ll be mesmerized.
As we ventured to Sicily, I abandoned my plan to switch shoes each day. In Agrigento,true religion jeans sale, we walked through the Valley of Temples and my KEENs took me from one giant display of ruins to the next. My KEENs were light and airy,true religion jeans wholesale, but the best part was the bounce. I don’t know what the soles are made of, but each step feels bouncy and absorbent. I literally bounded down hills and stairs, because my feet felt absolutely fantastic.
From Sicily, we ferried to the Aeolian Islands and stayed on Lipari. The chain of eight volcanic islands is gorgeous and remote, some with only golf carts or donkeys for transportation. On Stromboli, we watched rocks and lava spew from the crater against the night sky. On Vulcano, my KEENs and I climbed to the crater to see (and smell!) sulfuric steam vent a constant plume and stain the rocks yellow. By this point, I didn’t even bother with my other sandals. My KEEN Balboas were so reliably comfortable, why tempt fate by wearing something else?
As our last stop, we relaxed on the Amalfi Coast before returning to Seattle. We hiked from Amalfi to Ravello, a solid two hours of winding stairs up steep cliffs. As my legs became tired, I missed a few steps and my KEENs saved my toes once again. The hike was worth it; Ravello was breathtaking. On our last day, we took a boat to Positano and walked up and down the winding streets before relaxing with our beach chairs and umbrella. Swimming in the Mediterranean for the last time, my happy feet and I were not ready to leave. There was so much more to see and my KEENs could get me there. As I loaded up my backpack to go home, I left my old sandals out. I’m only going to need my tried and true KEEN Balboas for my next adventure!
