Miss Iowa 2014 Aly Olson

Doing Wisconsin things. #mickiesdairybar #dairystate #madison #goodeats (at Mickies Dairy Bar)

Farewell gelato and my redheaded friend! Back in the USA, but already missing that one redheaded soul who gives me a blonde complex... A huge thank you to Paige for giving me the nudge to travel and being a wonderful companion, a great friend, and an inspiring woman. Already counting down until I see you this summer! #redheads #areyoufrombritain #wearetoopale #vegetarianismisnotadisease #eurotrip

The Pantheon is over 2,000 years old and is the largest non-reinforced dome in the world. The oculus (top right) never shuts, and fills the hall with light. One of my favorite marvels in Rome. #pantheon #rome #roma #italia #italy #eurotrip (at Pantheon, Rome)

Made a wish in the Trevi Fountain today, and wishing everyone back home time to contemplate MLK Jr.'s legacy and how to incorporate more kindness and respect in their treatment of others. #trevi #mlk #kindness #respect (at Fontana Di Trevi)

Managed to get this one shot before I was informed I couldn't take photos in the Sistine Chapel. To be honest, the Sistine Chapel did not move me-it was cramped with people and much smaller than I expected. I kept me head turned up, searching for something moving in my soul, and didn't find it as I had in many of the other highlights I've shared on Instagram. It's a healthy reminder that finding beauty is unpredictable, making it all the more powerful. #sistinechapel #michelangelo #vatican #rome #roma #italy #italia #eurotrip (at Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum)

Perspective. #colosseum #roma #rome #italia #italy #travel #eurotrip (at Colosseum)

Foro romano, you almost didn't happen. Luckily, we found you in the nick of time today. Without you, our feet would just be tired but our souls untouched. Thank you & shoutout to our bird friend ❤️🇭🇺🏛#romanforum #fororomano #roma #rome #italy #italia #eurotrip (at Roman Forum)

"Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world."-Gustave Flaubert #colosseum #colosseo #roma #rome #italy #italia #travel #eurotrip (at Colosseum)

In the hall of sculptures, I was inspired to pose. #pose #scultpture #uffizi #gallery #galleria #florence #firenze #italia #italy #eurotrip (at Uffizi Gallery)

Santa Maria del Fiore, you are gorgeous. And yes, I really took this picture. #santamariadelfiore #duomo #florence #firenze #nofilter #florence #italy #italia (at Santa Maria del Fiore, Duomo, Firenze, Italy)

#duomo #firenze #florence #italia #italy #eurotrip (at Piazza Duomo, Florence)

Can you guess what my reaction was to my very Venetian meal of squid and cuttle fish in black sauce? #youbethejudge #squid #cuttlefish #venetian #venice #venezia #italy #italia #cuisine #localfood #foodie #seppierenereallaveneziana (at Taverna San Trovaso)

Venice, you are currently my favorite. #gondola #venice #venezia #italy #italia #canals #eurotrip (at Grand Canal Of Venice, Italy)

Fresh faces in new places. #milan #milano #nomakeup #castellosforzesco #arcodellapace #italy #italia #eurotrip (at Arco della pace)

Looks like the sun's going down on me and the Milan Cathedral. Third largest cathedral in the world and covered in gorgeous, unique delicate spires. #milan #milano #cathedral #nofilter #italy #eurotrip (at Milan Cathedral)

Free yourself to free others. #luzern #lucerne #switzerland #nofilter #eurotrip #winterlucerne #sunshine (at Lake Lucerne Cruise, Switzerland)

Kapellbrücke, Luzern, constructed in the 14th century. #swiss #kapellbrücke #lucerne #luzern #switzerland #winterlucerne #europe #eurotrip (at Kapellbrücke)