Spring break aka travel break to all of us Copenhageners, was a two week, amazing, educational, inspirational and exhausting time to enjoy other parts of Europe. I decided to spend my two weeks in two places, allowing me to really enjoy and immerse myself in each culture. The trip was absolutely amazing and I came back with over 800 pictures documenting my trip. Wow thats a lot, but I had to make sure to capture every moment. Ill start with Florence....
Italy: April 9-14
My friend Kayleigh and I took a flight from Copenhagen to Bologna, Italy in order to save money. Flying directly to Florence is extremely expensive, for future reference. So after a short flight, we touched down in sunny Italy and then boarded a train for Florence. Once we checked into Hotel Rivoli, which was excellent and I would highly recommend, we met Emily and a few of her friends for dinner at Dante's. They have excellent pasta and free wine for students. Yes you read that correctly. I could already tell Italy and I were going to be friends.
On Sunday morning we went to Mass at the Duomo. In true Lauren and Kayleigh fashion, we stumbled upon the San Lorenzo Basilica and thought it was the Duomo. Now, to be fair, it is connected to the Duomo and seems like it may be one and the same. We did figure out our mistake in time to make it to the next mass at the real Duomo, and then spent the rest of the trip feeling really dumb for making the hardest mistake to make in Florence.
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| NOT the Duomo |
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| YES the Duomo |
We spent most of the days walking around, shopping in the open markets, eating, shopping in the open markets, and just absorbing the Italian culture (read: drinking coffee or wine at a cafe and people watching). Here are some highlights from the trip:
The Academia
We bought our tickets in advance and online, and this was one of the best travel decisions I have ever made. It was cultural week in Italy and the entrance was free, which was good for everyone's wallet but not good for everyone's time: the line snaked around many corners and there is no way I would have had the patience to wait in line. Thankfully we breezed right to the front. Once we were inside, we spent a long time perusing the gallery, and it was amazing. There were so many beautiful religious icons and paintings, and of course Michelangelo's David. After learning all about it in art history, I was able to really appreciate the beauty of this amazing sculpture. His hands were so large and actually had veins running through them. They seemed to be pulsing and alive.
The Food
This is slightly embarrassing, but we had gelato twice a day, everyday, while we were in Florence. Lemon cookie and fondente is where it's at. The wine, the pasta, the olive oil, the fish, it was all amazing.
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| Looks gross, tastes delicious |
San Lorenzo Markets
I spent way too much time and money here, but these markets are truly amazing and one of a kind, and the stuff they are selling is (mostly) good quality and very unique items. I bought a few gifts as well as a purse for myself.
Siena
We spent a few hours in Siena one day, a beautiful, almost sleepy town about an hour outside of Florence. After getting directions from an old lady who only spoke Italian (interesting) we ended up outside the city instead of inside (surprise, surprise) and it took us awhile to actually find the town. In the process we managed to eat lunch at a restaurant that was practically in a parking lots. You live, you learn.
Once we actually made it into the city it was beautiful. and I especially loved all of the winding, hilly streets. It was fun to get lost in the city.
Walking around at night
Florence has great nightlife in the sense that people are out and about even at 10 or 11pm, which I love. We always went to dinner on the later side and then enjoyed walking along the water or over the Ponte Vecchio.
Emily was a great tour guide, and it was so fun to explore the city with her. She loved Florence, and it was sad for us to leave, but boarding a train for Paris doesn't quite sounds like a sob story to me! I'll be back with our trip to Paris!
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| Host mom's kitchen |
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| Adorable porch + kitty. |
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| Ciao, Firenze! |
Side note: I finished my last final on Friday, and I have been enjoying life and Copenhagen ever since. I intend to enjoy every minute of it, these are going to be a busy last few days!
