Rome (Days 11-14)

Whoa. 14 days already?!? Where has the time gone? Next up on my trip was Rome (also the last stop in Italy). The "Eternal City" is known for the large amount of historical sites and for its really good food. After an incredible stay in Florence, Rome was going to have to up its game to get onto my "to return to" list.

Site Highlights:

The Vatican (Museum/Experience): I was really really really lucky to get tickets to a service at the Vatican. As our tour guide on our first night said, "You have to know someone to get tickets to that" (my mom's high school friend's son actually). So we woke up at 5:30 am (on my birthday which was not ideal) to get to the Vatican by 6:30 for the 9:30 am chrism mass. For those of you who aren't catholic, the holy chrism is used during baptism, confirmation, and at the anointing of the sick. It is blessed at the Vatican annually and sent out across the world. The mass was packed but we got there early enough to get decent seats on the aisle and were less than 3 feet away from the pope when he entered the basilica. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience. We also toured the Vatican museum and the Sistine chapel.

The ticket!

The Basillica 

And there's the Pope!

The Vatican guards

Trevi Fountain: Under construction. Which meant that I didn't get my Lizzy McGuire moment :( 

Bummed that it want be done until November

Pantheon: Originally a temple for the pagan gods, the Pantheon is now home to the tombs of both the first and second kings of Italy, the first queen and namesake for margarita pizza, and Raphael. The ceiling was one of the coolest architectural things that I've seen so far. It has square cutouts and an oculus in the center which actually allows rain to fall in when the weather isn't lovely.

Oculus and cool geometric ceiling

Colosseum: One of the most iconic structures in the world. The colosseum was used by the ancient Romans for gladiator games. My favorite fact about the gladiators is that their average life expectancy was 30 years, and they were burned by an iron stake to make sure they were actually dead if they were killed during the games. We did an audio guide tour at the stadium, which also overlooks the Roman Forum (civic center of Ancient Rome), and the arch of Constantine.

Emily and I at the colosseum 

(I took pics of the forum and arch on my regular camera so those will have to be posted later)

Spanish steps: Not actually related to the Spanish (built by the French and named after the Spanish embassy near their base), they are a common hang out for Roman youth and have a sinking boat fountain at the bottom. All of the water in the fountain is safe to drink, as long as you get it right when it is being poured out. There are tons of water fountains around the city that serve some of the best free water in the world!

Bottom of the steps

View from the top of the steps

Dad filling up his water bottle at the fountain. Don't worry, my mom got a pic of me filling mine up.

Food Highlights:

After Florence excelled I knew Rome would probably be a let down. And it kind of was. 

Eleanora d'Arborea: Recomended by our hotel concierge for my birthday dinner. We had AMAZING risotto and almond dessert (my favorite).

Antico Arco: Really really good with unique flavors. My family loves to share our food and they brought out a little sample of everyone else's dishes for us! The desserts were great and overall the meal was an incredible way to end Rome.

I had the duck/pecorino pasta with my sister

Conclusion

Italy was great! I have to say that Florence was my favorite city while Rome and Venice didn't quite meet my expectations. My parents left early this morning and now Aspen and I (and eventually Cristina) will be continuing our journey....to Athens, Greece!

Tchaio for now.

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!