Final Days in Firenze !

Someone once said "time flies when you're having fun", and this quote has proven to be true over the last four months. The time has truly flown by and during this time I was able to visit many countries all over Europe including: Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, England, Netherlands and Belgium.  However, Italy was by far the best place I have been to. There is so much to offer in Italy and So many major cities to visit and travel through. During my time studying in Florence I took full advantage and was able to see : Arezzo, Cortona, Assisi, San Gimignano, Siena, Verona, Venice, Rome, Pisa and the Amalfi Coast: Capri, Positano, Sorrento, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. Each city in Italy has its own unique flair. The bottom is most definitely different from the top and so unique.  Europe has been quite an Adventure. To say I have learned a lot would be an understatement. Florence is crawling with Art at every single corner, literally. I have spent the past 4 months living just steps away from the famous Piazza Del Duomo (Home to the Cathedral, Bell tower and Bapistry). These works of Architecture were done by the most famous artists of all time including: Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Giotto and Michelangelo. During my Art history class I  often went on Field trips to Museums that housed works of art by Michelangelo (Like the David, for example) and Botticeli, meanwhile, I was learning about Leo and Raph in the classroom. Florence in itself is a learning experience.  


But most importantly, through studying abroad I was lucky enough to make the most amazing friends along the way who I shared these incredible experiences with.

Florence Highlights

"Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans" -John Lennon

Only 9 more days left in the amazing Firenze!!!

Sorrento, Capri, Positano & Pompeii

The Amalfi Coast was SPECTACULAR. The most beautiful place I have ever been to. The pictures can not do justice to how blue the water was. Over the weekend I spent time in: Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. Capri was my favorite out of all the towns. The water was gorgeous and I had the opportunity to go into the cave of the Blue Grotto. After a beach filled weekend, "Florence For Fun" took us up Mount Vesuvius where we were able to hike up part of it, to see the top of the Volcano. However, the volcano is not currently active and had erupted a total of 8 times over the past 17,000 years! 

The View in Sorrento

On the boat ride around Capri 

The bluest water I have ever seen! 

Sunset

Panino from Vini Panini- The best I've had in Italia

The Crew

Positano beach 

Naples Pizza! 

The Old City of Pompeii 

View from Mount Vesuvius

Inside of the Volcano

Me at the top! 

Italian Cuisine

After being here all semester I have finally started to cook more meals in the apartment.. I like to call this Mediterranean cooking with a touch of Italian. All the food we buy in Italy comes from the Fresh Market that is open daily. Instead of going to the grocery store once a week, italian buy their produce and poultry each day since there are not preservatives in the fresh food. Eating in America will never be the same! 

 The other night we had a dinner party and cooked for the boys. We thought it was only fair since they made us Chicken Parmesan on Valentine's Day... 

The weather in Florence was rainy for a few weeks, but it has finally gotten better! Today it is sunny and 70's, perfect if you ask me. Later we are all leaving for the Amalfi Coast where we will be going to Pompeii, Capri and Positano.. Pictures to come soon! 

Letters to Juliet: Verona, Italy

This weekend I went to Verona and Lake Garda. Both were extremely beautiful. Verona is a very quaint city, similar to Florence, with the same feel as Siena and other Tuscan towns. There we saw many tourist attractions from the famous love tragedy of Romeo and Juliet... 

Adam, Nick, Michael and I at the high point of Verona

All the girls

Letters to Juliet: Just like in the movie with Amanda Seyfried

Me and my roommates in front of a fountain in Verona! Right in this area there was a huge open market with fresh meat, cheeses, fruit, desserts, bread, etc. 

  The Amphitheater, Built in AD 30

Lake Garda was such a beachy town and we were lucky enough to take a boat ride around it. 

A castle on Lake Garda, in the town of Sirmione 

 The water was so clear, no pictures will ever do it justice! 

Michelle, me and Kelsey