Ciao Italia!

Buon Giorno!

Two weekends ago I fulfilled one of my life-long  dreams, traveling through Italia! Since this adventure consisted of 6 days, 3 cities, and 1 country, and filled with so much to say and describe, it is only right that I divide my thoughts for each city. Also, each city deserves it’s own glory and recognition because they each are beautiful & unique in their own way.

 Day 1-& part of Day 2: Venezia!

We arrived in Venice around 4:30p.m. and immediately I was reminded how much I love Italy. I love the architecture, colorful, detailed buildings, small canals,  hidden piazzas, and the endless confusion of location. I think that was my favorite part. Being someone who is committed to a map and planning, I actually enjoyed getting lost through the small streets of Venice. I never knew where I was going to end up, but somehow I always found my way around. Sadly, I didn’t get to ride a gondola ride. With the price of 80 Euro+ and no companion/companions to join me, I didn’t get to fulfill my dad’s only wish- to ride a gondola for him in Venice and call him while I was riding :( However, I have promised myself that my dad deserves to experience this for real and not through the phone, so one day I’ll take him there because he deserves to see the beauty of the Italy and especially Venice.

Day 2-Day 4: Firenze!

 After a 3 hour TrenItalia ride and buon giorno, Firenze! If there is one place I was anxious to see, it was here. This past summer one of my best friends, aka my partner in crime, my other half or in basic terms, Leann, had the opportunity to live in Florence. I was so excited to walk through the streets she once wandered, almost getting hit by vespas, and enjoying the beautiful culture of  Florence, Italy. The minute I stepped off the train, I felt her there with me.

Sara and I immediately started to wander, since the streets are lit up, not with many people, but with a quietness and stillness that isn’t frightening but peaceful. We saw the Duomo, which looked unreal, almost like a painting until I stepped 10-feet away from it just to make sure it was actually 3-dimensional. The next day we conquered the entire city with a 500-step climb to the top of the Duomo, ventured through all the piazzas, walked across Ponte Vecchio bridge , visited David (yes, the real one!), shopping, endless amounts of pizza and pastas, and finally my ultimate goal, finding Leann’s recent summer home. Florence overall was beautiful. It’s surrounded by hills and country-side, the buildings are historic, but rich with colors, there are cute bridges that cut the city in half, the people are friendly, and although it is a tourist hub, I was not overwhelmed but rather relaxed. Another great Italian city conquered and we were on our way to Roma!

Day4-Day6: Roma!

   Nothing feels more wonderful then stepping off the train into a nice 68 degree weather with a Tuscan sunset. Welcome to beautiful Roma! I knew from the minute I saw the buildings, and some ruins right next to my hotel, that I loved Rome. Nothing beats the landscapes, architecture, and Italian, rustic beauty of this city. Immersing myself in everything, I conquered it all! Yes, I saw everything in the span of 2 days. Maybe my feet were torn up, my body was over-filled on carbs, but I was determined to see and experience it all. I saw the Spanish Steps, the outside and the inside of the Colosseum, the Palantino (the beginning of Rome and my favorite spot), the Trevi Fountain( finally fulfilling a life-long dream to make a wish and let me tell you, I thought long and hard about this wish. Let’s hope it comes true), the Pantheon, Piazza Venezia (gorgeous!), the Vatican ( glorious and humbling), Piazza Navonna, and all the pretty narrow streets, ruins, and culture of Rome. I absolutely loved it all! Everyone deserves to see such beauty. One of my favorite moments was just speaking the language, even if I only knew a couple of phrases. Longing to always learn Italian, my love for it grew even stronger. I never hesitated to ask a local a question because I wanted to hear them speak, but I also wanted to just say buon giorno or grazi.

 Overall, Italy was a crazy, busy experience but it was so much fun and beautiful. I know one day I’ll learn Italian and return, taking my dad with me to Venice, Leann with me to Florence, and everyone with me to Rome. 

Ciao!

xoxo

Jenna