Florence (Days 6-10)

We've spent the last 3 days in Florence, exploring the sites and eating our way through the city. I'm so lucky to have had many friends who have spent time abroad and have shared their wealth of knowledge with me for this trip! On top of seeing Florence we also took a couple day trips from Florence, which I'll include in separate posts (unclear if they'll be posted before or after this).

Site Highlights:

Santa Croce

A beautiful, medieval church that is home to the burial grounds of some very famous people (Michelangelo, Gallileo, and Dante to name a few). While I was a little underwhelmed, (remember: I just saw Sagrada Famillia) it was nice to see a typical Florentine church. 

The exterior of the church

Interior of the church with beautiful stain glass behind the altar

Tomb of Gallileo, note the mathematical tools that the goddesses on either side are holding.

Galleria delfi Accademia

The David. That is all.

Galleria delgi Uffizi

More Renaissance period art. There were a couple beautiful Boticelli pieces but I unfortunately took photos on my camera so I won't be posting those now :(

View from the gallery

Another gallery view

Pilazzo Michelangelo

Probably the most beautiful view that we had in Florence! A nice long, very hilly walk, but totally worth the hike.

It's REALLY sunny out here.

Boboli & Bardeni Gardens

The gardens of the Medicci family, on the grounds of their palace (Pitti Palace). They weren't in bloom when we visited, but I can only imagine how beautiful they are when they're in bloom.

A single flower.

Food Highlights:

Honestly, where to start?? The food has been on point the entire time!!

7 Brothers, a serve-your-own gelateria that reminded me a lot of fro-yo places at home.

Osteria Giovanni, Dad's favorite spot. We dined on a variety of meat (rabbit, suckling pig, tuna) and pasta (pear and pecorino ravioli, a Florintine fave). The biscotti was to die for.

4Leoni (recommended by Hannah), very delicious. We had salad and pasta. Wish I would've ordered the plain spaghetti because it looked wonderful.

Perche No! was another good gelato place, but not as good as Gelateria Piti (which was my favorite for Nutella/Mint gelato and was recommended by my friend Mackenzie). Recommended by the concierge at our hotel. 

Pizza Gusto (recommended by Hannah and Mackenzie) was probably the best pizza I had. We didn't get heart shaped pizza but all was forgiven when I tasted the pie.

Il Profeta (recomended by Mackenzie) had the best olive oil I've ever had and some very nice Chianti Classico. We also enjoyed the John Travolta special which was what he ate when he visited the restaurant.

All'antico Vinaio (recommended by Hannah and Mackenzie). Amazing paninis. We had a prosciutto and salami, although I can't say what else was on either since the guy just made them after the meat selection.

In summary, things I've had the best of my life in Florence: Gelato, Biscotti, Tuna, Pesto, Tortellini, Pizza, Olive Oil, and Panini. Not bad for one city.

Italy has been lovely, and I'm very excited to begin the last leg of my Italian journey in Rome over the next few days. See ya in 3 days Aspen!

Cinque Terre Day Trip

Today we took a day trip with a guide, Luca, to Cinque Terre (pronounced Chink-eh Tear-ah). Cinque Terre is a protected region of five cities that sit on the Italian coast of the Mediterranian Sea. We took an added detour to Pisa, which meant that we were only able to see 3/5 cities in Cinque Terre.

Pisa

My thought the entire time we were in Florence was that we were in Italy, literally an hour away from the tower, and I was not going to miss seeing it. Pisa itself appeared to be a rather boring and unimpressive city so I'm glad we only took about 10 minutes to see the tour and then were on our way.

The tower in all its glory.

Cinque Terre

We arrived and parked in Riomaggiore, the eastern most city. All 5 of the cities are connected by trains, so once we were in Riomaggiore we only walked and took the trains. There are also paths that connect the cities but Luca told us that many of the paths are unsafe and or closed because of the mudslides that have occurred after heavy rain in the region. We saw some walkers, carrying walking sticks and wearing hiking boots, but we did not attemp the walk.

Riomaggiore

Vernanzza

Vernanzza was our second stop, and the 4th city in the chain (2nd most westward). One of the larger cities, we stopped for lunch here and also got to climb a tower for a view. Lunch was amazing. I had the best pesto of my life, with thin gnocchi like noodles and the largest fried calamari I have ever seen. The restaurant was called Trattoria del Capitano and I would highly recommend stopping there if you're ever in Vernanzza!

Emily and I with our guide Luca

Rooftops in Vernanzza  

Lunch! Pesto and seafood pasta. Nomnomnom.

Manarola

Manarola was the last island we visited and the one I thought was most picturesque. It is one of two smaller villages but the only one of the two smaller towns that is located directly on the Sea. People in Manarola park their boats next to their homes much like we park our cars. We took a lovely walk along a look out where I snapped upwards of 50 pics of the absolutely stunning view. Again, the pictures probably don't do the view justice.

Looking up the mountain

The streets of Manarola

Plz take me back.

Like now.

Happy spring quarter Northwestern.

Venice (Days 4-6)

Bonjourno from Italia!

After an incredible first few days in Spain it was time to explore the next country, Italy! Our Italian stay will take us to Venice, Florence, and Rome with day trips to Cinque Terre, Tuscany, and (fingers crossed) Pisa. In 10 days. 

As we landed in Venice the plane violently shook and part of me was pretty positive we would crash either 1. Because we couldn't land or 2. Because we wouldn't be able to stop on the landing. When we were slowed down the plane erupted in applause. Great work pilot.

Unfortunately our time in Venice was plagued by rain. The first night it was literally downpouring as we walked from the bus station to our hotel and I had to change clothes after we had checked in because the rain had gone all the way through my layers. We went out for a traditional Italian dinner (pasta, wine, and tiramisu) and I was amazed by how flavorful the tomatoes were. 

Sites:

We only spent one whole day in Venice (partially because my dad literally HATES the city...quote "I'll never come back here again") and spent the majority of the day seeing the major sites and getting lost in the maze that is the Canal City. 

Rialto Bridge:

Literally just a big bridge with an incredible view of the city!

St. Mark's Square & Basillica

We didn't take the time to go inside since we spent SO MUCH time in churches in Barcelona/will be spending SO MUCH time at churches in Rome. But it was pretty to look at and anchored the square nicely.

Doge's Palace

The only museum we went to in Venice. Mildly overpriced, but a great break from the rain, and a nice way to see some Venetian history. It appeared to be a miniature Versailles but a few hundred years earlier and with way more politics entwined in its walls.

Food Highlights:

Great pasta and pizza. No one place really stood out but everything was better than what I usually consume back at home.

Tuna pizza (so yummy!!)

Tuna pasta

Off to Florence for the next 6 days! On the plan are some sights recommended by my good friend Mackenzie who studied abroad there, a day trip to Cinque Terre, and a wine tour.

Here's to more great food and times!

Barcelona (Days 1-4)

Hola from Barcelona!

I've thoroughly enjoyed my 3+ days here and am honestly a little sad we have to leave tomorrow afternoon. BUT Italy is the next stop on the trip, and since I LOVE pasta (that's probably an understatement) I don't think I'll be disappointed.

Site Highlights:

Park Güell

This beautiful park offered gorgeous views of the city center and the sea. It's situated on a hill which made for a fun walk, but the famous "cheetah girl" benches were worth it. We also enjoyed some Gaudí architecture, which was a warmup for Sagrada Familia!

Sagrada Famillia

One of our favorite sites in Barcelona! Literally one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. We bought our tickets in advance, and took an official English tour, which were both helpful hints given to us. Some fun facts about the church: 1. They hope to complete it by 2026, to honor the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death. 2. When completed, it will be the tallest building in Barcelona (170 meters). 3. The interior of the church is supposed to remind one of a forest, and a "tree of life" is featured on the front, top of the building. The pics don't do the building justice...

Our first peek at the church

The light reflecting from the stain glass windows

Montjuic Park

Probably the most underrated place we went in Barcelona, we loved the views and the fountain. While the fountain is probably more beautiful in the evening, when it is lit up, our schedule didn't allow for us to be in Barcelona on a night in would be illuminated. Maybe next time? Also in the park is the Olympic park from the 1992 Olympics. The stadium was much smaller than I thought it would be, but it was fun to see a little piece of history.

Food Highlights:

No post is complete without a comment on the local cuisine! Barcelona is famous for its meat, tapas, paella, and café con leche. Luckily we were able to enjoy an abundance of items/places. Below are some of my favorites:

Bo de B (rec by Lily/Emily's Spanish teacher): Sandwiches

El Antril: Tapas

Brunch & Cake (rec by Olga): Brunch

Mercat La Boqueria (rec by Hannah):

The weather has been a little chilly and not sunny so I'm ready for both heat and sunshine. Barcelona was incredible and I'm pumped to continue the adventure! Hopefully I'll be back sometime in the near future! Enjoy a taste of my adventure and I'll hopefully write again after the next city.