Fonte Dei Serri Tuscany

... so Katy, Steve and I waked around for a bit before hand. I showed them where Academia was so they could see the David (since I had seen it for free in August, I decided I wasn’t going to pay this time) and I hung out and walked around a bit. It felt nice to be in a city that I had been to before because I knew my general way around. Actually, I have to give myself props, I don’t think we used a map but maybe once the entire time we were ...

Happy Thanksgiving!

I spent the morning taking an Italian exam!!! The afternoon was a little more fun, touring Palazzo Pitti with my Art History class.

It was a little strange spending it without everyone but my school put together a little gathering for us. A group of us dined on a typical American Thanksgiving at a local restaurant. We were served Butternut Squash soup with bread, Turkey ...

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

... in butter sauce. It came topped with more delicious black truffles. We had some truffles last night at our Tuscan dinner, and we had to have more today. Their flavor is out of this world and we can't believe how accessible they are in Italy. The pasta was fresh, and the dish was so simple but dddddelicous!! The restaurant was off of a great little town square, across from the craziest butcher shop either of us has ever seen. I love all kinds of meat, but the ...

... store.

We found a water bottle for Kathie and a Bianchi bottle for Mike. We also found some jerseys for the two of us that were Siena specific. While trying on the jerseys some Americans came into the store and we had some conversations with them. They were on a Vermont Bicycle Tour and the couple in the trio was from Alexandria.

Soon we went to catch the bus and were on our way back to Arbia. On the bus we caught the ear of a woman sitting next to us. She started ...

... after that. I think we have eaten gelato at least every other day while in Italy. :-) Can't get tired of it! Saturday, we visited the Uffizi art gallery, and walked around the city some more. Tomorrow we plan to do a day trip up to the Cinque Terre and then back to Florence. Wish we had more time in this beautiful city, we love it here!!!!!!

... to make our way up in hopes of being pulled inside...Success! What followed was easily one of the best meals I have had in Florence so far; the company wasn´t bad either :) Family style meant no menus just a choice of one of three or four dishes the kitchen had already prepared for each course that evening. I started with some of the Prosciutto, thinly sliced and delicious, followed by a glass of red wine. Next I chose the pasta with a wild ...

... minutes or so, the broccoli salad and the 150 meatballs were gone. Weird, the raw beans and leeks were still there. The naturale wine went fast. Thanks to Stefano's quick draw on his giant jug of homemade hooch, we put down a few jeroboam and then passed out in the sunny afternoon. Wonderful day gratis from our superb landlady, Federica, who runs a truly remarkable Florentine homestead. Thanks for the memories. Hope to make new ones again soon.

Buon giorno!!! First off I'd like to tell everyone on the boards to settle down a little, because its getting kind of testy. No one won, its Mark Twain. Steven you lose because it took me so long to read it, time is money. Anyway, we made it to Florence and there was a lot of stuff to see and it was expensive. Our campsite was on a tuscan hilltop overlooking the city and it was only the ...

... last few churches that I want to see before I leave Rome. There's also a balloon that flies over the city, so I may check that out, as well. Then Monday the Coliseum and maybe Palantine Hill (site of the ancient city). Tuesday the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel, maybe, and Wednesday is up for grabs. I've only got the room until Wednesday night, and I think Naples might be next, then on to Greece, and then maybe Paris as I make my way back to London for the trip to Nepal in February...