If you don't know me very well, you might not know that I'm part Italian. I grew up with an Italian grandfather & have always been enchanted by the far away place, Italy. I think it's one of those places that everyone dreams about visiting & when you get the chance to, you jump at it.
I didn't really want your typical "abroad" spring break - filled with partying in Spain until 7am. That just isn't me... Jake & I have friends in Florence, so we settled on an adventure there instead. Our original plans consisted of different Italian villages & cities, but we settled on just one. && I'm so glad we did!
The fact that we selected just one city allowed us to rest & take in the sights slowly. Instead of rushing around trying to see everything, like we do on weekend trips, we had a whole week. We could do one or two sights a day, eat, & just relax. It was great!
We booked an Airbnb & could not have been happier with the result! Our host met us, even when we got in early from the airport, & helped us with everything we could possibly need. He left us wine & snacks & messaged me a list of places to eat throughout the city. When we decided we wanted to go see a football game, in the rain mind you, he gave me detailed instructions on how to get there using public transportation. He was there to help with any problem we had & the apartment was just how it looked in the pictures! Jake had the couch & I scored the queen sized bed & bedroom! The bathroom was quite modern. On Monday, the host actually got a new couch delivered - we had an even nicer place to stay! We honestly lucked out & it was MUCH MUCH cheaper than a hotel.
Florence itself was just what I expected in a Tuscan city. It featured the yellow building with redish colored roofs. There were tiny streets & tons of vespas. Everything I ever dreamed of since the Lizzie McGuire movie... (if you don't understand the reference, you were clearly not associated with a little girl in the early 2000s.)
I went expecting to eat. && eat I did! Everything from pasta to bruschetta to gelato & pizza. It was worth every single pound I might have gained over the past week. No regrets, none whatsoever. Gelato is even more amazing than I expected & I visited the same pizza place twice... it was just THAT good.
Obviously, as you've seen, the sights were breathtaking. The Ponte Vecchio was amazing in person. Pictures can only tell you so much about the magic of something like that. Especially at night. & the view from above the city, especially at dusk, was even more breathtaking.
I've learned a few things about myself from traveling. A. I can only do so many art museums. Art is just really not my thing... I can handle it & even enjoy it for a couple museums but 3 is probably my limit. MAX. I'm just not wired to appreciate it. By the end of the Pitti Palace, I was beginning to find the decorations gaudy instead of being able to appreciate them. I would much rather see natural scenery & climb a mountain. HA - that's what I get from spending all last summer on hikes with JV. B. I like relaxing vacations. Yes, our weekend trips are fun & we see amazing things, but I don't feel like we have the time to take them in. We're sort of rushing to fit in everything we want to see into 48 hours... I just don't love doing that. It was great to be able to take our time in Florence & really appreciate the city. && eat, but you know... C. I miss traveling by car. You get to see all the scenery & stop whenever you want! There's no long lines at border control or at the bathroom. You don't have to worry about legroom (well... I never do at this height!) & whether or not the snacks will be overpriced. Air travel is relatively easy but requires so much effort... Can I put this in my carryon? Does it weigh too much? How much luggage am I able to have?
I promise you, being abroad has made me a much more effective packer. I am still a chronic overpacked but I have become able to squeeze all of my life into a carryon rolling suitcase & a backpack. Family, you heard me right. I did it. I'm not really sure how but it did happen. No promises I don't return to my old ways when I return home! (Also, I think my thoughts are becoming random at this point - HA - I guess I'm beginning to get tired - It is past 11pm here!)
Here's some pictures for you - as promised - from my camera. Enjoy!
Bobble Gardens
Italian streets just warm my heart. Something about those colors & the design...
Ponte Vechhio
Duomo
Palazzo Vecchio
Hall of Geographical Maps - I love the globe in this. I searched for America for a while... it's so warn out that I couldn't find it!
Siena!
David
Pitti Palace
Gaudy, right?
Our walk up the hill
If you don't know - I met Jake on my first day of college & we became best friends.
Perfect way to end our trip!
I swear, I have probably 150 more pictures but I'm going to spare you! Tomorrow, you'll get your other posts but for today, enjoy my recap, photos, & your Thursday! It's almost the weekend.
- hannah -
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