A Weekend in Firenze!

For our second weekend abroad, we decided to stay in Italy, specifically Florence (also known as Firenze)! We initially booked a 3-hour bus ride straight to Florence but realized quickly that to get to the main bus and then to the hostel we would have to take a lot of extra transportation. We ended up taking a tram to a train to the bus and then another train to another bus to then walk 45 minutes to our hostel. (It took us 45 min instead of 15 because the bridge we were supposed to cross was closed) This was not ideal because we arrived in Florence at midnight on Friday after walking around Rome for our drawing class all day in the rain, but atlas we prevailed. We tucked ourselves into our hostel beds to prepare for a rainy day in Florence. (We booked the entire hostel room because there were enough of us - very convenient for a first-time hostel stayer)

My Friend Jordan and I in a cute alleyway

Walking the streets of Florence while it rains

Leather shop in Florence

Lots of colorful wallets

Fresh produce on the street

Tried on some vintage designer sunglasses

The sandwich shop

Truffle sandwich (aka the #1)

The owner in the background

Me eating said sandwich

The bar in Florence -I don't remember the name...

Spot the Iowa State T-shirt

TAP THE ARROW ON THE SIDE TO SEE MORE PICTURES :)

We started the day in Florence with some shopping and wandering as we made our way slowly toward the Dome. We stopped by some very cool leather shops, fruit stands, interesting alleyways, as well as a delicious sandwich shop where the owner clocked us as Americans immediately. He was very kind; he played American music as well as gave two of my friends' free glasses of wine. The sandwich I ordered was ham, provolone, and truffle, and is still the best sandwich I've had on this trip. We also stopped by a bar that had hundreds of t-shirts on the ceilings and walls from universities all over the world, signed by students who studied abroad in Florence. We of course had to track down the Iowa State shirt and get a picture (as seen in the slideshow above). As we continued to make our way to the Dome, we found a shop that sold "to-go Hugo Spritz." I mean how could we pass that up?! A Hugo Spritz is a mixed drink with mint leaves, elderberry liquor, and prosecco, also known as the perfect refreshment for a rainy afternoon. Then atlas we reached our destination. The Dome, also known as Brunelleschi's Dome, is part of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. This Dome was the largest in the world when it was built and is an amazing example of gothic architecture. We did not wait in the line to go inside, but we did wander around the entire outside as well as stay and listen to the singers on the front steps.

With my roomies at The Dome!!

Cheers Jordan!

Next, we were onto The Galleria dell 'Academia where the famous Statue of David resides. The museum was only 2 euros for students, so it was a great rainy-day activity. The museum itself was fairly small but was also home to many other statues (pictured below).

Other Statues in The Galleria dell' Academia

The Statue of David

Some interesting Lays flavors including avocado

After wandering around The Galleria dell' Academia we tried to find a cafe to take a break and get a snack, on the way we stopped by a Korean market. It had everything you could imagine and more. I was mostly intrigued by all the different flavor of lays and pringles that were offered. I bought a Dr. Pepper here; this was a rare find for Italy. We never did find a cafe, so we continued to our next site, The Ponte Vecchio (not pictured, I'm sorry).

Ponte Santa Trinita

We took a lot of pictures in front of the river. Behind us you can see the Ponta Santa Trinita across from the Ponte Vecchio, which was in front of us. (not pictured)

After our photoshoot we headed to our main event of the trip: a pasta making class with unlimited wine! We made a tortellini and ravioli with ricotta pepper lemon filling with a butter sage sauce, as well as pappardelle noodles with a beef ragu sauce. Our chef was very nice and funny as well. At the end of the class, we were served the pasta we made and let me tell you it was delicious.

Kylie and I in front of the bridge

How the table was set when we walked in

Two of my roommates Abby (left) Maddy (right)

The chef telling me to keep trying!

from left to right (Maddy, Jordan, Natlie, Kylie)

Stuffing the tortellini with the ricotta pepper lemon filling

My friend David (not to be confused with the statue)

My final Tortellini

Showing off our pasta!

All shapes and sizes here!

Pappardelle noodles

Prepping the Pappardelle noodles

Very proud

Pasta squad

Tortellini with ricotta pepper lemon filling with a butter sage sauce

Group Pic!

Postcards from Florence

The next day we wandered around Florence some more. I found these postcards in a bookstore as well as stumbled upon a wine window. You simply ring the bell, and they open the window to take your order for to-go wine. (A wine drive thru if you will). I found out that these wine windows are very old and were designed into the restaurants when the restaurants were originally built. (That has to be prime real estate) It continued to rain but the city remained beautiful.

Wine Window

On Monday we began our journey home: a walk to a bus to a tram to the main bus then to the train to the tram to walk back to our apartment. By the time we got home we rewarded ourselves with some Burger King and began our week back in Rome.

Until next time,

Ciao!