First post!

I've officially been in Italy for two full weeks! That means I'm done with the first of two Italian classes have had plenty of time to settle in and explore Rome. Finishing my first class obviously called for some celebratory prosecco (which I had plenty of at Caffe di Marzio in Trastevere but this photo is from the week before in Venice. After all, in Italy it's never the wrong time for wine!)

Most of today was spent lounging around my apartment and packing for my upcoming trip to Perugia. I was so tired from a week full of classes and activities since my boyfriend came to visit Rome from Monday until today. Anyway, last weekend I went on two day trips to different parts of Italy, which is what I want to talk about here.

Duomo of Florence

The first was this Saturday to Florence, or Firenze. Just an hour and a half by train from Rome, Florence is filled with tons to do, eat, and see. We started with a short walking tour of soe majorsites in the city, led by one of the two professors in charge of my program.

Selfies in front of the Duomo like every other tourist

After our tour, we had lunch at Il Bargello in Piazza della Signoria. We ate plenty of delicious bruschetta and drank lots of wine before our pasta came out.

Most of the day after lunch was spent walking (almost 10 miles!) and hanging out on the bridge next to Ponte Vecchio, where I was the unofficial photographer for all of my friends.

Sunday in Venice was a much more low-key day than Saturday. After a four-hour train ride, my group and I finally arrived in Venice. We started with a boat ride to the main piazza, San Marco. Afterwards, we split up and five of us dove into a small pizzeria for lunch. Later, we walked around and got lost in the city and found the cutest little bake shop where I bought some cookies and assortment of candies to bring home to the family.

By the time the day was over I was exhausted and ready to enjoy my prosecco on the ~scenic~ part of the boat tour through the canals. It was definitely the highlight of the day and the best way to pre-celebrate the midterm exam and arrival of my boyfriend the following day.

Stay tuned for more posts about my upcoming trips to Perugia and Porto San Giorgio this week, as well more about my experiences in Rome and Orvieto over the past two weeks!