Cinque Terre

Bono-giorno!

Last summer, I spent hours upon hours pinning posts and researching where to go and what to do during my semester abroad.  One particular place that kept popping up was Cinque Terre, and for good reason.  After seeing countless pictures of this beautiful place, I knew it was a key destination of my travels.  Yesterday, for an early birthday treat, I finally took the time to see this wonderland.

Only 2 hours northwest of Florence, situated along the coast, you find Cinque Terre, or “Five Lands.”   The 5 villages that make up this area are: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.  Unaccessible to cars, the only ways to get to and from the villages are hiking paths, boats, or a train-line that connects the five lands.  The rugged, steep terrain has terraces built into the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.  The actual villages are built into the sides of the cliffs, constructed with vibrant colors.  The beautiful buildings and homes are picture perfect as they accent the green rolling hills and brilliantly blue water.

We made it to 4/5 towns, and each was more beautiful than the last.  Cinque Terre is unique in so many ways, and I couldn’t be happier to have checked this place off my list.  The views, the colors, the terrain, the water, the FOOD.  Boy, did I eat well here.  Everyone please make a trip to this unique and wonderful place if you find yourselves exploring Italy.

It’s impossible to capture the true beauty of this magical place.  It’s only after a visit than you can understand how beautiful and unique these coastal towns are.  The image of the cascading cliffs with brightly colored buildings built over top each other, overlooking the sea, will be instilled on my memory forever.

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

 

What in Croatian?!

Bono-giorno!

Another indescribable weekend in Europe filled with great food, great friends, and even better views.  Like Budapest, the trip to Split, Croatia was booked through Bus2Alps (a company that plans trips for students studying abroad and provides transportation, lodging and optional activities).  The 12 hour journey faced a few set-backs and quickly turned into 16 hours of being cramped on a bus with the person in front of me in my lap with her seat reclined all the way (sigh).  2 hours of sitting at a rest stop off the highway because the bus needed a piece replaced… 1.5 hours sitting at border control between Slovenia and Croatia because a girl forgot her passport back in Rome… Finally, we arrive in Split at 12 pm Friday afternoon.

What the locals considered a “cloudy” day was to me a perfect spring day – 65 and sunny.  The weather made for a beautiful walking tour through the historic part of the city.  Split is filled with beauty: Dicletian’s Palace, stray cats roaming the streets, crumbling stone architecture, quaint stores, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, fish markets, coffee stands, and of course, a beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea.

Dicletian’s Palace had a familiar feel to it, as it should.  To my fellow Game of Thrones fans: The Children (Season 4 Episode 10) – Daenerys locks up her dragons in the catacombs.  This was filmed under Dicletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia.  Yes, I had a huge fan-girl moment. Look familiar?

Our tour guide said he feels proud that such a well-renowned show was filmed in his home town.  He recalled relaxing over morning coffee when he saw Daenerys and crew running back and forth from one filming location to another.  Ugh.

After a pleasant day exploring the city, laying on the beach, and indulging in delicious Dalmatian delicacies, a good nights sleep was well needed to prepare for a long day on the Adriatic Sea.

Saturday, we found ourselves on a boat departing from Split to the Island of Brač.  With Bus2Alps, we rented the boat for just ourselves, ate lunch, and hung out in the sun for hours.  It was a great opportunity to make friends with people studying abroad in different cities.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect (well, I guess I wouldn’t have complained if it was warmer).  Sunny and 70 degrees, not a cloud in the sky.  Not ideal for getting my tan on, but it still felt amazing .  The Adriatic Sea is the most beautiful water I’ve seen so far.  Each body of water I see gets more beautiful than the last.  Absolutely crystal clear, blue and green hues, a little nippy, but refreshing after basking in the sun.  This was a day I’ll never forget.

After a relaxing 2 days filled with the beach, we departed Split early Sunday morning and made a stop at Krka National Park.  This was easily one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been.  It was rejuvenating to take a break from all the cities I’ve been to.  My lungs swelled with fresh air as we took a ferry ride across a lake and to the park.  The water was so incredibly smooth and still – the only movement on the water, besides the plethora of swans, were the ripples we made as we glided across the smooth, glass-like surface.

After departing the boat and reaching land again, I took a deep breath, slowly inhaling the fresh air my body has been missing.  Surrounded by the greenest foliage I’ve ever seen, we made our way up a path that brought us to a gorgeous waterfall.

While largest at this point, this was just the end of the waterfall system. As I strolled further into the park, the smaller waterfalls and tributaries gushing into the system had me in awe.  Mother Nature at her finest – absolute serenity.  I tried to visualize the park untouched by man, without the bridges passing over, or the wooden planked paths hovering over the streams.  Imagine strolling through the forest hundreds of years ago and stumbling upon this wonder.  I took time to myself, wandering aimlessly, photographing twisted trees, floating ducks, stone cottages, and of course, the roaring water.  I have never felt so at peace.

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Croatia – I will never forget the unbelievable moments I spent with you.  A relaxing weekend away from the hustle and bustle is exactly what I needed, and exactly what I received.  Thank you.

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

I Amsterdam

Bono-giorno!

A bus, a train to Rome, a train to the airport, a flight, another train.  After leaving my apartment at 1:15 pm Thursday, I finally found myself in Amsterdam at midnight.  It wasn’t cheap, it wasn’t easy.  But as a key destination of my travels, I did what I had to do, and boy, was it worth it.

With my bag packed on my back, I strolled by canals lit up by street lights and surrounded by the row homes I’ve seen in so many pictures.  All of a sudden, we turn a corner.  Hoards of people, clouds of smoke, red lights mounted to buildings.  So, it’s called the Red Light District for a reason.  Do I regret staying in a hostel in the Red Light District?  Yes, probably.  But it provided for an “authentic” experience.  Besides sleeping here, I didn’t find myself spending free time in this neighborhood.  It was depressing; walking along the streets seeing women, young and old, dancing in windows in promiscuous outfits, calling to by-passers to come inside and spend time with them.  Some forced against their will, others doing what they need to do to send money back to family in their home countries.  Prostitution may be the oldest profession in the world, but it made me realize how lucky I am to be educated and on my way to a 9-5 job. Spoiler alert: there is so much more to this city than the famous Red Light District.

Our first full-day we found ourselves doing touristy things.  The I Amsterdam sign, the Fault in Our Stars bench, a market with delicious Dutch treats, a canal tour.  This is the cutest city to walk miles in.  Despite the clouds and rain… the architecture, canals, boats, bridges, bikes, flowers, and all the other small, perfect details of this beautiful city made walking all over well-worth it.  Cyclists buzzed around everywhere we went – watch out for the bike lanes, they’ll mow you down.  There are more bikes in Amsterdam than there are people, and they (not sure whose job this is…) pull between 12-15,000 bikes out of the canals every year.  Who is pushing these bikes into the water?!?!

Amsterdam was at the top of my list for places I needed to visit.  One of the main reasons was to visit a friend.  For those of you who do not know Joyce, she is the sweetest and kindest girl.  I was so lucky to have this incredible person brought into my life through pure chance.  Randomly assigned to be my roommate last semester, Joyce was studying abroad in Pittsburgh, but she calls the Netherlands home.  After living with her for nearly 4 months, I wanted to visit her country more than ever.  Hearing about her culture, seeing pictures, eating delicious Dutch treats: I knew this place was meant for me.  Luckily, I was able to spend the whole weekend with her and saw so much of the city outside of the touristy things.  Thank you, Joyce!  Next time I come to the Netherlands, I’m coming to see your city, too.

Saturday morning, Joyce and I went for breakfast at the trendiest brunch place I’ve ever been: Coffee & Coconuts.  Away from touristy neighborhoods and filled with locals, I would 100% recommend making the trip here if you find yourself in Amsterdam.  Delicious and healthy food, comfy couches, and a clean, modern environment.  This was one of my favorite parts of the weekend.

After a hearty meal, the rain began.  So for a suitable, rainy day, we went to the Van Gogh museum.  Van Gogh’s art is as beautiful as it is intense.  As I traveled through his life’s work floor by floor, I recognized the development of his skills as an artist.  He has such a unique style, and not only from other artists. He has various techniques that look so different, some pieces as if it was another artist’s work.

As I strolled through the streets of Jordaan on our way to a huge, open-indoor market for dinner, I really had the chance to take in the aesthetics of this beautiful, colorful city.  I could wander along the cobblestoned canals all day.  Even though every block looked exactly the same to me, this didn’t prevent me from finding charm in every new alley I strolled down.  And just when I thought they couldn’t be more beautiful, seeing the water lit up at night from the street lights made the view even more mesmerizing.

The culture, the view, the bikes, the FOOD.  Amsterdam was amazing.  The Netherlands is not a country I will check off my list and say, “once and done.”  Without seeing Dutch wooden clogs, windmills, or fields of tulips, I can’t quite say I have seen it all, but one day I will.

Please drool over the delicacies I indulged in this weekend:

Fresh stroopwafel

Nachos

Dutch Kroket (and peanut sauce with french fries)

Dutch Apple Pie and fresh hot chocolate

Dutch pancakes

AmsterDAM, I miss you already.  Thanks for an amazing weekend.

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

aBUDAful weekend

Bono-giorno! and #hellohungary

CAUTION: this post was written at the beginning of February as I patiently waited for a camera cord to be delivered to import pictures from a different camera.

A quick synopsis of getting yelled at by an angry Hungarian security guard for posing on this trendy #hellohungary sign: 

So, I found myself in Budapest, Hungary this weekend.  It was an abrupt trip – I only booked it 2 days prior to departure after getting a 25% discount with Bus2Alps (an awesome travel company that plans trips all over Europe – it provides a stressless trip with transportation, lodging, breakfast, tours, and activities planned for you).  Thursday night we departed via bus (precisely a 12 hour ride – yikes).

Friday morning I found myself in a foreign-ass country (literally, Hungarian is the craziest language – our tour guide told us that often in sci-fi movies, aliens or other creatures speak Hungarian because no one understands what they’re saying except for 10 million Hungarians).  We posted up in Wombats City Hostel for the weekend.  It was a perfect location right in the Jewish Quarter and in walking distance to shops, bars and food.  Most importantly, it was very clean, and it had a super trendy first floor with a bar and hang out areas.  Would definitely recommend this hostel to anyone traveling to Budapest!  It has many awards from TripAdvisor.

Our tour took us through the Jewish Quarter where our tour guide gave us a brief overlook of Hungary’s depressing history.  On the losing side of both world wars, always under the control of an empire or another country, losing territory, economic depressions, etc.  It was sad to hear the struggle Hungarians have faced for hundreds of years.  Hungary only joined the European Union in 2004, but their economy still isn’t strong enough to be on the Euro currency.  The Hungarian forint itself was an adventure – $1 is 290.01 Ft.  I felt like a millionaire carrying 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 bills.

Jewish Quarter

Parliament on the river

Anyway, after a pleasant stroll through the sloshy streets of Budapest with my soaked sneakers, my two roommates and I parted ways from the large Bus2Alps group and divided into a smaller group with a Bus2Alps guide (s/o Molly) for an AMAZING adventure through the multi-level cave labyrinth under residential Budapest.  Fully equipped with a jumpsuit, helmet and headlamp, we set off for un unforgettable experience.

We approached a big, concrete door with Hungarian graffiti all over it.  Our tour guide wrenched the door open and I strolled in first, not knowing what I was getting myself into. We navigated through the low ceiling and flat ground, on both feet, and I thought, “oh wow, this is nothing.” Then our tour guide led us to the longest ladder I ever laid my eyes on.  I held on for dear life as I climbed down into the pits of earth.  Once on the ground, I realized that THIS was what caving was: tight spaces, jutting rocks everywhere, dust, gaping holes in the ground.  It was an underground maze – one wrong turn and who knows where you would end up.

I slid, crawled, climbed, fell, wiggled, jumped, scaled walls, and slammed my head into low ceilings (s/o to that helmet).  Our professional caving tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the caves and caving in general, and funny, too!  He lifted us (physically and figuratively) through tough parts when we needed that extra push.

This was an unforgettable experience.  Even after thinking I was going to slip and die on several occasions, I left with a smile on my face and dust up my nose.  The best moment from this excursion was when we sat in an alcove of the cave, all lights off in the pitch black.  In unison, we sang “Hallelujah.”  The acoustics gave me goosebumps; it was one of the most beautiful moments I ever experienced; I wished I could relive it.

Later that night, we went to the 3rd most famous bar in the world.  And for good reason. Szimpla Kert is the biggest pub I’ve ever been in, and by far the coolest.  Converted from old ruins, it’s decorated with mismatched items like chairs dangling from the ceiling, mermaids made of recycled material on bathroom doors, creepy characters, mirrors, lamps and tables, outside patios and movie screens.  There was a bar in almost every room of the huge 2-story building.  It made for a great night out filled with encounters with people from all over the world curious about the American culture.

The next morning, we want to the famous Budapest thermal baths.  The naturally hot water, like an outdoor hot tub, felt amazing against the cold air.  Steam bounced in my face as hot met cold.  I have never been so relaxed in my life.  Despite the creepy men lingering around, I’ve never felt so comfortable being in a bathing suit outside in the dead of winter.  Everyone needs to put this on their bucket-list.

After the baths, we explored shops and markets in the city, and ended the brilliant weekend with a dinner cruise on the Danube River.  With a live orchestra and a delicious buffet of traditional Hungarian food, it was a classy, well-spent evening, and a great wrap up to an amazing trip.

Before booking my trip spontaneously 2 days before leaving, I knew nothing about Budapest.  This was one of the best trips I’ve had yet, filled with new experiences and new friends.  Thanks for the memories, Eastern Europe.

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

Spring Break Part 3: Barcelona

Bono-giorno!

“Barcelona, I still long to hold her once more…”

^OK, these lyrics have never been more accurate.

Barcelona was everything I imagined it would be.  Let’s just say, this long weekend took a few years off my life.

This city is beautiful: beaches, palm trees, sunsets, history, cathedrals, art, mosaic, and architecture.  But apart from the city itself, the company was the best part.  After being away from Pittsburgh friends, a reunion was much needed.  We picked up right where we left off, but in a new country on a new continent.  We came from Florence, London, Seville, Madrid, and Pittsburgh.  If I do say so myself, we threw @Frank the best 21st birthday you could ever imagine – who needs horns from Peter’s in South Oakland when you can rage in Barcelona until 5 am?

The days consisted of sightseeing.  We explored beautiful parks, famous buildings and cathedrals.  Barcelona was so much bigger than I expected; after traveling for a week already, my legs were near giving up.  But the breathtaking sights made up for the sweat and tears I pushed through to see it all in a few short days.

La Sagrada Família

La Catedral de Barcelona

Arc de Triomf

Casa Batlló

Park Güell

Park Güell

In order to survive through the days, I ate well.  If there’s one thing I’ll miss most about Spain, besides the memories made with friends, it’s TAPAS.  Tapas were made for me.  Why have one thing to eat when you can have a taste of everything?  Croquettes, I will miss you dearly.  Every dinner Frank and I went out for consisted of some delicious assortment of tapas – even when we tried to get entrees for his birthday, we accidentally ended up at a restaurant with only tapas.  We weren’t mad.

Side note: it’s true what you hear about Brunch and Cake.  If you find yourself in Barcelona, please take the time to wait in line for this delicious brunch.  It’s just as tasty as it is beautiful.  Healthy has never been so satisfying.

Brunch and Cake by the sea

After experiencing Barcelona night life firsthand, it was a pleasant change of pace to sit down for a Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo soccer game on Saturday night.  Getting to a soccer game was on my list of things to do in Europe; it was exciting to see arguably the best team in the world dominate 5-0.  I’ve always loved watching soccer, but it’s even more exciting to watch in a stadium filled with thousands of people surrounded by your friends.

And to end this beautiful spring break, after the soccer game, a few of us headed to the beach where we laid under the stars and reminisced for hours.  There is nothing like laying on the beach with best friends, good music, and the waves crashing around you.  I couldn’t have asked for a better, more relaxing way to finish a hectic 10 days of travel, fun, and excitement.

Barcelona, I hope to return one day.  But there’s tough competition to beat with the weekend I already experienced.

Thank you France, Portugal and Spain, new and old friends, for providing me with memories that will last a lifetime.  There is no better way I possibly could’ve spent my time off from school (yes – I go to school… I promise to write about my classes and experiences in Florence soon).

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

 

Spring Break Part 2: Portugal

Bono-giorno!

Portugal: Lisbon

After departing the beautiful French Riviera, I navigated alone (and successfully) to Lisbon.  I’m not sure what my expectations were for this trip.  I didn’t know much about the city, but I heard how colorful and beautiful the buildings were.  One of my favorite parts of traveling to all these new cities is seeing the culturally unique architecture.

My first day in Lisbon was spent on my own since my travel companions had a later flight.  With no data left, it was nice to wander around off the grid.  I kept close attention to my surroundings to navigate back to the hostel later on.   I learned quickly that’s it’s true what they say: the buildings here are so beautiful and colorful.  Had it been sunny in the couple days we were there, I know the rich colors would’ve screamed out to me even louder than they already did.

If I had to compare Lisbon to another city, I would say it’s like a European San Francisco.  Maybe that’s because of the cable cars chugging up the hilly streets, the mild weather, or perhaps because of the fog that rolled in off the bay.  But it too was like no other place in so many ways.  One of the most beautiful parts of the city was the colorful tiles placed piece by piece on the buildings.  Some crumbling, some in tip-top shape.  Yellows, blues, greens, purples, pinks; no pattern was the same.  It is something I will remember vividly.

But the color expands beyond the architecture.  Art is everywhere here. From graffiti on walls to stacking stones at the beach.  Every corner I turned, I found myself whipping out my camera to document more street art.

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Portugal: Sintra

Less than an hour by train from Lisbon is the magical town of Sintra.  I never heard of this place until several people commented on my Facebook post saying I needed to go here.  This is the best advice I ever took.

Sintra is a real-life fairytale.  I still long for more time in this beautiful town.  Anyone who knows me should be aware of my obsession with Disney and fairytales; I finally lived it, but far too briefly.  I was awestruck by the view as we zigzagged up the mountain to the Pena Palace; something in my bones told me this place was made for me.  The winding roads were nauseating as the bus driver whipped around the corners, but the view out my window was worth it.  The woods were a deep, rich green; huge, towering boulders were covered in moss; there were ivy vines crawling up the trees and wrapping around old, stone walls.  I would not have been surprised if I saw fairies and sprites buzzing around.

Once off the bus, we walked up a path through gardens that led us to Pena Palace.  I’ve never been to Disney before (???? K), but I don’t think they could ever replicate the fairytale I experienced as I stood before the towering, vibrantly colored Palace.  This palace was easily the most colorful building I have ever seen in my life, and it would be extremely hard to outdo.  The yellow, red, purple, and blue colors were so vibrant, it looked fake.  Boy, did it photograph well, too.

The palace overlooked magical gardens and the ocean in the distance.  This town was somewhere I belonged; I hope to return one day to witness the other parts of Sintra I didn’t get to explore.

Thanks for the memories, Portugal.

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

 

Spring Break Part 1: the French Riviera

Bono-giorno!

French Riviera: Nice

After a long night of traveling, I woke up on the train Friday morning to the most beautiful coastline I’ve ever seen.  Out the window to my left, there were beautiful, cascading mountains – some snow-peaked – in the distance.  Out the window on my right, the Mediterranean Sea summoned me with its surrounding palm trees, beaches, and the bluest water I have ever seen.  Or so I thought.  Stop after stop on the train, I became more and more anxious to see what lay ahead.  Finally, we reached France.

I hopped off the train and found myself in the cleanest city I have ever been in.  In a short walk, we arrived at our hostel, Villa Saint Exupery Beach.  This was a great hostel to stay at if you’re looking into Nice – it’s clean, super close to the beach and the rest of downtown, and the staff was very helpful.

After getting ourselves together, we quickly scurried down to the beach.  Now this was the truly the bluest water I have ever seen.  The crystal clear water was calling my name; 10 degrees warmer and I would have thrown myself in head first.  The front section of the water was so tropical with its vibrant, bright shade of blue.  Beyond that, the water was a deeper blue.  The beach was unique on its own.  I remember my mom referring to the beaches in Nice as the “killer beaches” from her trip backpacking across Europe when she graduated college.  Finally, I can put this into perspective.  Rather than traditional sand, the beach was construed of beautiful, smooth, grey stones.  It was a nice change of pace not to have sand in every crevice when walking and sitting down.  But I can’t imagine it being too comfortable to sprawl out on and catch some rays in the summer (however, I’m willing to test this hypothesis).

The coast of this city is so picturesque, but my camera simply couldn’t do it justice.  The palm trees, bubbles being blown by street artists, people roller-blading, the beach, the crepes: it was perfect in every way possible.  The vibrant blues and rich greens from my surroundings will be memories I will never forget.  This was a relaxing portion of the trip; we enjoyed the scenery, explored, and took a million pictures (pics or it didn’t happen). Nice is a fairytale, and I hope to return one day when I can ball out as a professional.

After a relaxing and aesthetically pleasing two days of exploring and taking in the scenery, we ended Saturday by attending Nice’s Carnival.  As we stood in the crowded, closed streets surrounded by bleachers filled with excited spectators, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.  With all that has been going on in the world today, I had a moment of fear being at such a crowded holiday event.  But my worry was quickly put to rest as we went through extensive security checks before entering the outdoor arena.

We had no idea what Nice’s Carnival was in comparison to Venice’s Carnival.  It didn’t help that everything announced was in French.  But all of a sudden, giant floats with dancers and various themes started cutting through the crowds: it was a float parade.  Confetti shot from cannons in the bleachers; little kids ran around blowing confetti into people (and their faces) as part of tradition.  Beyond the parade, a beautiful, lit-up ferris wheel towered.  The floats were incredible and must’ve taken months to construct.

Not only were they fun to watch, but it was an opportunity for political messages to be expressed. For one particular float, a camera crew made its way through the crowd documenting spectators’ reactions.  The laughing stock of the world: Donald Trump.  The audience laughed as dancing bombs and cannons approached, followed by a huge Trump with his signature dumb-founded look on his face.  Proceeding this float, the Statue of Liberty stood tall with her torch lit, and the world on fire.  And guess who was holding the world on its back, saving it from destruction?   China.  It was sad and embarrassing to see, but I couldn’t help but give a nervous laugh.

French Riviera: Monaco

For only 3 euro and a 15 minute train ride, we found ourselves in the 2nd smallest country in the world (often mistaken for being a city in France).  1/3 of the residents in Monaco are millionaires, and it has the highest GDP per capita in the world.  I have never seen so many Bentleys, Lamborghinis, or Ferraris in my life.  In front of the Monte-Carlo Casino looked like a car show; some cars even displaying “please do not touch” signs in the windshield.  That’s when you know.

Monaco was even cleaner, and not surprisingly, fancier and more expensive than Nice.  Sparkling under the sun in the harbor sat yacht after yacht, one bigger than the next.  I can’t help but wander what the insurance is like on these fancy boats.  Especially the ones with a car and another boat parked on it.

After taking a foot ferry across the yacht yard to the other side of Monte-Carlo, we walked up to a beautiful panoramic view that overlooked the city, ocean, and boats.  It was breathtaking.  On this side, we wandered through beautiful gardens, a charming town, and the Prince’s Palace.

Watch out, French Riviera – one day I will return.

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

Carnevale di Venezia

Bono-giorno!

This past weekend, I found myself at the annual Carnival celebration in Venice.

Brief history lesson: It’s said that the festival began centuries ago in 1162 after the victory of Serenissima Repubblica. However, the celebration did not become official until the Renaissance.  The festival served as a way to preserve the prestigious image of Venice, but was outlawed in 1797 under the rule of the King of Austria. It returned in 1979.

Many of you may associate beautiful masks and outlandish costumes with Carnival.  It’s unknown why wearing masks is part of the Venetian culture, but Venetian college students rediscovered wearing masks as a way to bring tourists to the celebration, and every year, they have a contest for the most beautiful mask (“la maschera più bella”).  

With just one day in Venice, there was a lot to take in.  The city was much bigger than I expected, and the streets were packed with locals and tourists in fun costumes.  We briefly saw the parade on the river, but it was hard to get a good look with hundreds of people crammed along the river (and police blocking you from a good view on the bridge).  But it was a parade like no other I’ve seen.  It was beautiful with colorful boats filled with Venetians dressed in unique costumes, singing traditional songs.

Confetti lined the cobblestone streets; joy and laughter filled the air.  It was an incredible experience to be part of such an old tradition.  After lunch and the parade, we took a boat to another island where we saw Murano glass blowing.  Venice is famous for their Murano glass, and for good reason – we saw gorgeous ($$$$!!!!!) pieces that perhaps I can afford in another lifetime.

Afterwards, we walked through Piazza San Marco.  St. Mark’s Basilica was gorgeous with its vibrant gold accents and 6 domes.  It’s a unique Roman Catholic church as it’s structure has influence from Eastern Europe.

Finally, we made our way to what Venice is perhaps most famous for – gondolas. My only moment of disappoint: our gondola driver did NOT sing to us (ugh).  Instead he smoked a cig and pretended to tip the boat when we switched places for the most aesthetic spot on the gondola (pics or it didn’t happen).  We liked him anyway. When in Venice…

Venice took a piece of my heart – I wish I had more than the day there (although, I don’t think my wallet would’ve thanked me – this place is expensive!).  Each canal was more beautiful than the last.  The tiny, winding alleys with quaint buildings overlooking the water was one of the most unique features I ever saw in such a charming town.  I only hope to return one day.

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

When in Rome…

Bono-giorno!

This weekend was one for the books, and filled with so many “firsts.”  First time leaving Florence since my time abroad, first time using the train system, first time in Rome, first time drinking a spritz, first time speed walking 12 miles in 5 hours, first time getting a good night’s rest on a Friday night.

Friday:

The trains here are not as overwhelming as I dreaded.  It’s like an airport without the extensive security and customs lines.  Friday morning, we boarded our train and an hour and a half later, we hopped off and found ourselves on a new adventure.  My roommate and I accidentally got off at the wrong Rome train station (amateurs), but quickly realized our mistake, jumped back on, and the door closed behind us immediately.  That would have made for an even more interesting tale.

The air bnb we stayed in, located directly outside the Vatican City walls, was beautiful in a cute and quiet neighborhood.  HOWEVER, it was conveniently located on the opposite side of the city from where we needed to be in a little over an hour.

Before leaving on Thursday night, we ordered skip the line tickets that gave us access to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Palatine Hill. Thinking we needed to be there an hour before the gates closed at 3:30, I led the charge, nearly sprinting across the city in what should’ve been a 47 minute walk to the Colosseum from our air bnb (while scarfing down a mouth-watering panini).  I was not going to miss this amazing opportunity since we only had a day and so much to see.  Zigging and zagging across the Roman cobblestone, dodging cars, buses, horses, and vespas.  To my friends: sorry for leaving you in the dust.  But my speed-walking and navigation skills (@GoogleMaps) were appreciated when we made it to the gate in ample time AND when we got to skip the ticket purchase line.  Oh boy, was the view worth the aches, pain, and sweat.

The Colosseum was more breathtaking than I ever daydreamed.  Pictures don’t capture the whirlwind you feel while overlooking the largest amphitheater ever built.  It’s mind-blowing to think how the hell these Romans built something so magnificent almost 2,000 years ago.  How was that humanly possible with the tools and supplies they had then? I couldn’t take my eyes off this masterpiece for longer than it took for me to get my picture taken (pics or it didn’t happen). I felt grateful for the blood, sweat, and tears that seeped into the sand and concrete so many years ago, resulting in such an aesthetically pleasing view.

Because we admired the Colosseum for so long, we ran out of time and didn’t get into the Roman Forum before the gates closed.  All the more reason to return.  But based on the ruins we passed while strolling through ancient Roman times, I know I wouldn’t have been disappointed with the view.

Naturally, when we left the Colosseum, we carried on to the next touristy thing: the Trevi Fountain.  I didn’t find Paolo (don’t worry @Frank), or become the double of an international pop star (@LizzieMcGuire). But I, of course, tossed a coin into the fountain – a wish to one day return to Rome.  (Btw, this wish better become true… I didn’t have nearly enough time to take in such a huge, historic empire).  So much to see, so little time!

From here, we found our way to the Pantheon.  The architecture of this former Roman temple was beautiful and elegant in so many ways, especially in the evening light.  From the outside to the inside, from the ceiling to the floor.  The opening in the roof was like nothing I’ve seen before.  Rumor has it that the architecture of the ceiling doesn’t allow rain to fall through the hole – however, this is not true!  When it rains in Rome, it also rains in the Pantheon. The slightly convex floors allow the water to flow into an effective drainage system.

So, it was a full afternoon.  After cocktails and aperitivo, followed by dinner, our feet were cursing us.  This was where the walking 12 miles in 5 hours came into play.  My body thanked me when my head hit the pillow.  The next morning would require an extra burst of energy.

Saturday:

My piece of advice to any American craving an American breakfast: do NOT go to a foreign cafe and order their “American” breakfast.  It is NOT what one might hope for (not surprisingly). It’s no wonder people think we’re crazy if that’s how they think we eat our breakfast!!! I’ve saved you from a sick stomach by not taking pictures of my burned, orange, hard-yolked eggs and “bacon.” Yuck.

Anyway, post a very unsuccessful “most important meal of the day,” some of us scaled the walls and headed inside of Vatican City.  Me oh my, I have never felt so holy in my life.  I have also never seen so much beautiful, detailed art in my life.  Every square inch leading to the Sistine Chapel was covered in patterns and portraits.  Simply breathtaking.  And then the Sistine Chapel (no pics allowed – mental pictures only ) – WELL DONE, MICHELANGELO.  It’s no wonder it took 54 months to finish this masterpiece… would highly recommend this historic landmark to anyone (only 8 euro for students!!!).  We walked through by ourselves because we were crunched for time, but I would absolutely do it again with a tour guide to understand the rich history.

Before our train back to Florence, we of course made time for gelato and crepes.  YUM.  Anyone going to Rome, hit up Old Bridge Gelateria near Vatican city for some dope gelato.  Apparently it’s the best in the city – I don’t have anywhere else to compare it to, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that were true.  Right next door is Creperia Michelangelo.  AMAZING.

Overall, it was a brief but successful trip to one of the most beautiful and historic places I’ve ever explored.  I only wish we had more time – I’m eager to return and see more.  There really is no place like Rome.  Clicking my heels in hope of a quick return!

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

P.S. See my “Europe 2k17!!!!!” album on Facebook for more pictures that weren’t featured.

Hike on Monte Ceceri in Fiesole

Bono-giorno!

For my first free weekend in Florence, I spent an early afternoon hiking up Monte Ceceri with my study abroad program.  These hills are 414 meters (1,358.27 feet) above sea level and overlook the charming town of Fiesole.  This mountain has been exploited as a huge open-air stope since the 14th century.  It has ancient quarries of local grey stone (“pietra serena”) and local granite (“pietra forte”).  The materials extracted from this mountain were used to build some of the most important palaces and monuments in Florence including the columns of the Basilica of San Lorenzo and Madonna by Donatello.

The hike was more intense than anticipated.  The steep, rocky, and winding paths were a moment of realization that perhaps I should be exposed to this physical exertion more often.  As we hiked higher and higher, I remember looking down and praying I didn’t slip. The cliffs looked straight down; I was suffering from serious vertigo. But I kept my eyes forward, pursued the journey, and ignored the burning sensation in my quads.

The picture below does not capture the hike in any capacity:

On the opposite side of one of the quarries we passed was the mountain’s most popular location for rock climbing (@Desch).  The picture below includes descriptions and pictures of the quarry and the rock climbing face:

Finally, we reached the top of Mount Ceceri.  Another famous name linked to this mountain was Leonardo da Vinci.  Da Vinci had one of his servants attempt to fly from its summit with the first flying machine he invented in 1506.  This was one of the earliest experiments in human flight.  The flight lasted about one thousand meters, but ended with a crash in the town of Fiesole.  Today, the name of the road where the crash occurred is “Largo Leonardo da Vinci.”

After exploring Pizzale Leonardo at the top of Mount Ceceri, we made our way down the other side; a relaxing stroll compared to the hike up.  From here, we had a beautiful view of green, rolling hills and villas surrounded by olive trees and farm animals.  The fresh, crisp air was a refreshing break from the busy city life.  As my lungs filled with mountain air, I felt them thank me and beg for more.

As we continued our walk, an older Italian man spotted us (it’s hard to miss a group of 50), and invited us in to explore his property.  Ivy climbed the old, beautiful home.  The vibrant orange villa made a beautiful focal point.  The man was so proud of and happy to show us the property he inherited as a fourth generation.  The land was filled with dozens of acres of olive trees, a beautiful view overlooking Fiesole, semi-frozen ponds, wilted vines and plants that I imagine blossom beautifully in the spring, and some furry friends, too.

After we said our thank you’s and goodbyes, we continued our trip with a walk through the town of Fiesole.  This quaint town was filled with so much character, and lacked the hustle and bustle of tourists that we’re already accustomed to in Florence.

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Finally, after several hours of hiking and site seeing, we made it to Pizzeria San Domenico.  My table and I waited patiently as we were the last to get our pizza — it’s not a quick process in the kitchen to make 50+ pizzas for one group.  Some serious #hanger was brewing when all of a sudden, poof.  Surrounded by pizza.  Yes, I finished my entire pie.  Yes, in under 10 minutes.  Did I have room for dessert?  YES. Oh, happy day.

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

#firstimpressions

Bono-giorno! Ciao amici e la famiglia!

After 4 days immersed in this new, Tuscan culture, my expectations are exceeded (minus the unusual cold, windy weather – it’s been snowing the past 2 days; these Florentines don’t know what to do with themselves).

Florence is exactly what I imagined, but better – the small, crowded city makes me feel small and insignificant, but in an indescribable, wonderful way.  There are snowcapped mountains in the distance; beautiful, old buildings in shades of yellow, orange, red, green and tan; crooked cobblestone streets weaving through tight, winding alleys; and people everywhere – locals and foreigners.

Ponte Vecchio

But best of all is the historic, stone architecture.  Every corner you turn, you find yourself in a new piazza surrounded by cathedrals, cafes, and cobblestone.  You find beauty in everything here.  But beware – as you gaze at your surroundings, know that bikers and drivers are relentless.  They will mow you down, so prepare to dodge high speed vehicles coming directly at you at any moment.

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore

Basilica di Santa Croce

This city is filled with art and history; I feel Donatello and Leonardo da Vinci’s presence as I get lost in this magnificent labyrinth.  To walk the streets that so many others have paraded before is a feeling I hadn’t experienced until frolicking around the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

My Italian is in the development phase, but it’s not surprising that most people in the city speak relatively good English, making the first week’s transition easier.  Don’t let me fool you – I’ve been utilizing what I already learned from Duolingo (highly recommend this app to anyone that wants to learn a new language!) since the summer, and am trying hard to learn new phrases while I’m here.  The Italians seem to respect and appreciate my attempt, even if it’s reciting that I don’t speak Italian well (or at all for that matter): “Non parlo molto bene italiano.”

Apart from the rich history and beautiful surroundings, the people are just as wonderful.  Stay in touch to hear about my encounters with locals, the bonds I’m already developing with my amazing flatmates and fellow students, the incredible food (yes, everything you’ve heard is true), and the breathtaking views.

Ciao for now!

Xxx,

Natalie

On January 17, 2017January 17, 2017 By bonogiorno4 Comments