From midterms to a 10 day vacation

Traveling and studying in Florence has been the best two months of my life so far. However, this past week, due to midterms has not been so pleasant. Spending time with my mother, studying, and planning fall break has been exhausting. I should not complain though. Today is the beginning of a 12- day trip with 10 of my friends to Barcelona, Madrid, London, and Dublin. The mere possibility that I could travel to almost anywhere is still hard to fathom. Most recently, I have traveled with my mom to Rome, Chianti, and Venice. Rome reminded me somewhat of downtown New York City with its historical charm and busy streets. I am convinced that you could spend the entire semester in Rome and still not have seen everything. It was incredible to see the ruins of the Roman Empire and the foundation of western civilization, however it was exhausting and I was ready to get back to what now feels like home, Florence. Chianti, on the other hand, is definitely one of the most beautiful and relaxing regions in Italy. Wine tasting and exploring the Pazzi family’s old home allows you to experience the other side of Italian culture outside of the city. Venice, too, is one of the more relaxing destinations in Italy. Walking from one piazza to the next and exploring the hidden ally ways is a one of a kind experience. Although I do love eating pasta, drinking wine, and sipping cappuccinos, I’m looking forward to embracing three new cultures and traditions, at least for the next ten days.