Archive for November 2015
Racing Through Roma: How to Conquer Rome in a Day
Rome wasn’t built in a day, therefore it should come as no surprise that attempting to see all of Italy’s capital city in one day is, in a word, impossible. I recommend spending several days in Rome to be able to explore as much of this historic and glorious city as you can. However, if…
Read MoreA Day at the Duomo: Which View is Best, Campanile or Cupola?
This weekend, I set out to answer a question as old as the Duomo itself. Which view is better…the view of Florence from Giotto’s campanile (bell tower), or the view atop Brunelleschi’s dome? Climbing to the top of the Duomo should be on everyone’s list of Florence must-dos. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore’s incredible white, green,…
Read More49 Signs You Studied Abroad In Florence
“Home is not a place, it’s a feeling.” After a few months living in Italy, Florence steals your heart and becomes your home. Here are 49 signs that Firenze has become your second home: You’ve mastered walking on cobblestone (or just accepted that you never will). You are well acquainted with the boldest creatures alive…Florentine…
Read MoreFlorence Foodie: Salumeria Verdi (Pino’s)
Officially called Salumeria Verdi, among study abroad students you are more likely to hear my favorite panino place referred to simply as “Pino’s,” a name affectionately given to the place due to its wonderful owner. I have been coming to Pino’s since I was a study abroad student last year, and spent a year dreaming…
Read MoreA Day Trip to “Fair Verona”: Romeo, Juliet, and Me
Shakespeare chose to set his tragic romance Romeo and Juliet “in fair Verona,” and after my visit this weekend, its obvious why. Every inch of the town is dripping with beauty, charm, and most notably, romance. The city truly is the perfect setting for a tale of “star crossed lovers.” Everywhere you look in Verona, there is evidence…
Read More6 Ways to Stay Fit In Florence
Whenever someone hears that I’ve been living in Italy, I inevitably end up answering the question “How have you not gained any weight?!” While it may seem like living in the land of pasta, gelato, and wine make this impossible, rest assured that is not the case. There are many ways to keep active and…
Read MoreFinding the Perfect Travel Journal For You
The Traditionalist: Good old pen and paper. This option is perfect for your creativity surges doing things the old fashioned way. This method is great for recording personal thoughts while on the go. The down side is that a physical record of your travel experience can easily go missing, or suffer damage, and is hard…
Read MoreFlorence Foodie: La Milkeria
Also on my list of must try Florence cafes, La Milkeria is one of my favorite spots in Florence to satisfy my sweet tooth. Known for its incredible crepes, waffles, and coffee, its impossible to go wrong when ordering here. Additionally, the price is right (a waffle with toppings and coffee only cost about 7 euro),…
Read MoreCruising through Chianti: Adventures on a Vespa
Have you ever cruised through the Tuscan countryside on a pink Vespa? I had the chance to this weekend and it was absolutely exhilarating. If you find yourself in Tuscany, a Vespa tour through Chianti’s rolling hills and vineyards is a must. Since returning to Florence, the one thing I have been dying to do is…
Read More