Residence Borgo Osteria Nuova Gambassi Terme

... ambiance. The Duomo wasn’t actually as great as I remembered, but it was one of the first churches I went to and, since I’ve seen so many other, I’ve realized that it isn’t as cool as I thought back then. But I still enjoyed it.

After walking around and doing as much as we could (it was Katy’s last day in Florence, well, traveling in general really), we went to pick up Ali and Kelsa, got refreshed back at the hostel ...

... Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing, Potatoes, and Mixed Vegetables. For dessert pumpkin pie, ice cream, and apple cider! It was nice to spend the night with classmates and a few professors.

Friday night, we had yet another Thanksgiving with all of my friends. Everyone prepared their favorite dish and we spent the night telling stories of our families Thanksgivings.

I'll update you soon,

Siara

Siena photos here:
http://www.facebook.com/album. php?aid=164853&id=613699523&l=d 7d2db6b42

Thursday caught a bus to Siena with Nonie and Kerrin.
The Duomo there is one of the best and most beautiful churches I've seen inside and out - and I've seen more than enough churches to last ...

Hi Everyone!

After an exhausting weekend in Brussels, I was in for yet another treat with cooking classes in Florence. Organized by my school, a group of us met with a chef for some lessons.

We were taught how to prepare typical Tuscan cuisine including Ribollita and Stuffed zucchini-flowers.

Everything was delicious & I look forward to trying these recipes at home!

I'll update you soon,

Siara

... once again used the public city bus to get into town. Upon arriving our group made a be-line for the bike store. We got there and the place was packed with people from our group. We all got our turn to go into the shop and this time I got to go into the back room. When I got there the old lady from the day before was there and on one wall was a bike frame and pictures of a cyclist named Rossi who was a Provincial biking champion in the 50’s. The woman told us in Italian that ...

... seafood. It didn't say what seafood so I was excited to see what came on my plate; Jerry ordered penne with salsiccia di cinghiale. When my food came it looked and smelled and looked great it had lagostinos, octopus, squid, and mussels. It was very good octopus was better than expected and all around a great dinner. It was the type of place that everyone that comes in knows everyone so I could tell that we gave everyone something to talk about. Ti and ...

... my favorite in Italy - I do like it better than St. Peters. The best part about it is going to the top of Brunelleschi's Dome (small tight steps to the top and you get up close to the massive painting inside the dome.) The view of Florence from the top is breathtaking (no modern buildings in sight - like a time machine to the Rennaissance).

... He answers all our questions and loves chatting with us and playing loud American hip hop in the lobby. My first morning in Florence, the fog drifting in the open shutters of my pensione 'camera' gently lulled me out of a deep sleep. So far most days there is no sun until after my first class is over, when the fog of so many people has lifted somewhat. We have breakfast in the pensione dining room five times a week: cereal, yogurt, bread & jam, coffee & ...

... to go. Anne and I wrote comments on one of the big columns at the entrance of the theater. Then, we took the long trek back to the bus station. We had plenty of time and so walked across Ponte Vecchio, a bridge with many expensive jewelry stores. We also saw one of several David statues as well as many other statues. We stopped at a small bar to get panini (sandwiches) for dinner and I also got apricot juice ...

... rained in a city that has sun 300 days a year! -Trudie History: The hub of the Renaissance; one of the world's most architecturally beautiful cities; with countless museums and galleries crammed with masterpieces; and with marvellous shopping and tremendous cuisine and restaurants; it's perhaps unsurprising that Florence is also very busy with tourists. Yet choose your times well, and step a little way outside the well-trodden tourist paths, and you ...