Villa Covacchia / Castello Apartments Florence

... 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 ...

... photo and video exhibition on display which was really cool - need to look up the Patti Smith video he did and see if I can watch it in full.

Found a stall in the markets selling tripe on bread rolls with parsley and olive oil- super yumm!!! Found out later it's another Florence local specialty.

Went to Farmacia Sta Maria Novella which is a really cool epothicary/pharmacy that has been making lotions, potions, elixers and ...

... as the place was so cramped and nothing else to do in town, but ended up having a good night both nights we were there.


Sunday did the walk between the 5 towns from Riomaggore to Monterosso. Took about 4.5 hours including thestops in each town to check them out.
The views out over the Ligurian Sea are stunning. Leaving one town and seeing the next far off in the distance, and sometimes a lot higher up in altitude, was really cool.

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

... around is amazing.

Hungry and it still being before 8pm, we found the only restaurant that started serving at 6:30pm, the Osteria Del Cinghiale Bianco, the white boar. Tonight’s specials were made with porcini mushrooms. I had the porcini with spaghetti. I don’t remember what Marty had because after having had a bottle of wine my memory got fuzzy. We wandered home after that enjoying the cool breezy night.

... and space of the universe. it was facinating but i was so tired that i felt like the tour would never end. it was free through our program to attend the tour. usually the cost is 8,50 Euro. after the exhibit we tried the best gelato place in town called Drom. It was to die for. I went to bed after packing for my trip.

Tomorrow I am off at 6am to go to Capri, Pampii, and Sorrento. I am so excited so I will update when i return on Sunday. I love yall

Ciao,
Panda

... more American. That being said... the nightlife was still great and I had a blast. The next day was spent seeing the sights of Florence and growing to understand why Florence is known for it's amazing art. We went to Academia where they keep The David. It blew me away... I have little appreciation for art, but this was absolutely stunning. I could not take my eyes off Michelangelo's masterpiece for ...

... he should have at least had a fig leaf over his privates), at the moment that he decides to battle with Goliath. It was worth the one hour wait in the queue. During the time that we were taking in Florence Renaissance sculpture, Brian was at the soccer ground trying to buy tickets to a soccer match Florence vs Bolognia. Unfortunately it was sold out and he wasn't able to go so he met us as we left the museum and we went to the most fantastic trattoria for lunch. It was one of those ...

... happy :) Also, I picked up a packet of panna cotta at the grocery store a week or two ago, and we really liked it. And even though it was from a mix, I still felt like I was making something authentically "Italian." So I hopped on the bus from Fiesole to Florence all by myself today - that felt really weird! I knew how to get to the school since we had walked by the address the other day as a trial run, but ...