Carnivale!

I can't even begin to explain how perfect and surreal this day actually was. Right before we had to get back on the bus and return to Rome, there was a Carnivale parade. My friends and I stood on the narrow main street and waited for the floats to reach us. As they got closer, we all cheered and jumped so the kids on the floats knew to throw confetti at us! And when I say confetti I don't mean a sprinkle, I mean they hurled entire bags at our faces…haha it was amazing. Standing there with my friends around me, hearing kids cheering in Italian, seeing all the colors against the blue sky…it was one of those infinite moments that I will never forget…ever. 

San Gimignano!

Before we headed back to Rome we went to a Medieval town called San Gimignano! It was amazing! I would suggest visiting if you are going to Florence! It was less than an hour drive from Florence in our big tour bus and it was worth it! 

 So many breathtaking views! 

We climbed all the way to the top! 

I got the traditional Tuscan stew, Ribollita! It was DELICIOUS!

How is this my life?

While my friends went in to a museum to look around, I passed so I could just walk around Florence a little bit by myself. It was amazing. I walked around a big piazza where people were eating lunch, reading, and listening to the live music playing. I got a sandwich (prosciutto, egg, and cheese…so good!) and just sat on a bench and waited until my friends were done. 

p.s. That is the purse I got at one of the leather markets! 100% genuine leather for 15 euro! 

Our last morning in Florence!

A cooking class in Florence!

We went to a place called in Tavola for a cooking class with my study abroad program!! We made everything pictured below with help from a chef of course :) 

Antipasta: Eggplant Caprese

Fresh, homemade pasta with bolognese sauce!

 Homemade gnocchi with carrettiera sauce! 

Tiramisu for dessert! 

Me and Sophia enjoying our dinner!

 Janelle and Lianne!

Comment if you want any of the recipes!! 

Sometimes you just have to be a tourist...

So the first night in Florence a group of us went to the Hard Rock Cafe…we had a cooking class the next day for dinner so they balanced themselves out! But seriously, it was nice to be able to eat a cheeseburger and fries! 

View from the Duomo!

We climbed 463 steps (I only climbed 462 because I tripped up one) to the top of the Duomo and the view was breathtaking! 

My view

We stayed in at Hotel De Lanzi. It was located right in the center of the city a block away from the Duomo! It wasn't very updated or fancy but it was clean and the location cannot be beat! This was the view from my room on the third floor! 

Firenze!!

 So, this weekend I went on my first weekend trip since I arrived in Italy! My program in Rome planned a trip to Florence! It was amazing! I am not quite sure where to begin…I figured I'd start with some general photos from around the city :) 

 The Arno River 

The Duomo 

Along the Arno River