adventure

24 hours in Rome

1:00:00 AM


Even when weaving through the most crowded streets and passing by the most touristy shops, Italy still manages to hold my heart. 


To make a long story short, my most recent trip to Greece and Croatia hit a bit of a speedbump when our flight got switched and all of the sudden we were scheduled to spend the night in Rome. Being a college kid traveling on a college budget, you take the cheapest flights, and if that means flying from Greece to Rome just to catch another flight back to Croatia, then so be it. 

I really could not complain, however, as I simply cannot get enough of Italy, and I was especially excited to see some of the monuments and structures that were some of the first historic things I learned about, not to mention one more opportunity for some authentic Italian food.


An ealry flight from Santorini into Rome Fiumicino, a few train connections, and a quick check-in put us in our AirBnB around 3:30pm. We had until 6:30am the following day to do Rome, and although completely exhausted and a bit sunburned, we dropped our gear, grabbed a map and decided to hit it hard. 


We hit the parthenon, the fountain Trevi, the coliseum, some major government building whose name I cannot recall, and the Roman Forum which truly took my breath away. Even after months of traveling to these historic cities, I continue to be floored by just how old certain buildings, monuments, and landmarks are. It is humbling in a way. 


We decided to call our sight-seeing quits around 8pm and turned down a few back alleys until we found the perfect spot for a glass of red wine and some cards. Then we wound our way back down some more alleys and sat down for dinner at Dar Poeta - a restaurant recommended to us by another study-abroad student we met in Santorini. Dar Poeta had, hands-down, the most delicious and mouthwatering pizza I have ever had. And at eight euros, we were over the moon. 


We dragged our tired bodies back to our AirBnB only to get up again to get what would be our last true Italian gelato during our time in Europe. I had pistachio, coconut, and cinnamon from Frigidarium and was once again made speechless by just how good it was. With the best pizza and the best gelato all in one day, I could get used to Rome. 


Our time in Rome was short but oh-so-sweet. I cannot wait to return one-day and fill my lungs with the romance-filled, sweet air. 





adventure

heaven on earth // Cinque Terre

1:46:00 AM


Five girls and a priest hike through five towns in Italy...


Recently, I traveled to the mediterranean coast of Italy to hike Cinque Terre with four other girls and a priest from Africa. It was a last-minute, spur-of-the-moment decision to make the trek south but I had a feeling that Cinque Terre was a place I should not and could not miss. I was right. 


Every since travelling to Florence my first weekend, I have fallen in love with Italy. The food, the people, the wine, and the feeling that floats through the air stole my breath and won my heart. 


There is something so intimate about Italy that it is so comfortable. Since that first weekend in Florence, I have returned to Italy to visit Cervinia, Venice, Milan, and Rome, but Cinque Terre is undoubtedly my favorite spot in this country. 


The hike through the five towns begins in Monterosso, where my oddly-mixed group sat down for a quick cup of espresso and a fresh croissant. The morning was simply perfect with a warm sun over the bright blue rolling waves and we sat, contentedly, as Monterosso began to wake up.


Eager to hit the trail, we began our trek along the coastline only to be diverted to the mountain trail due to flooding and construction. I truly think this was a blessing, however, as we were then able to hike through the lemon trees and look down onto the rocky coastline. 


The trail was covered in delicate yellow flowers as butterflies filled the air and lizards scurried across the path every five feet. 



The greatest parts of hiking Cinque Terre were the moments when you would round a corner and catch sight of the next town with its colorful buildings squeezed together on the coastline and you would think "That's where I'm headed," and you would get yourself there happily. 


Town #2 - Vernazza - is the most authentic and darling Italian town I have ever seen. Every shutter was open, little boats filled the cove, and small children ran through the alleys and past old men enjoying their morning espresso. 



At one point on my hike, between towns 3 and 4, I physically could not hold myself back from smiling. I was in complete bliss. With Foster the People blasting from my headphones, the Mediterranean sun beating down, and a trail through someone's backyard of vineyards, I was close to skipping in happiness. 


After visiting so many large and crowded European cities, I was so exhausted and was craving the outdoors and an opportunity to just get lost. Cinque Terre was everything I needed for a fresh mind.


It's hard to describe happiness in its entirety other than saying that is overwhelming, but in the best way. To say you are completely content with a moment and yourself is a true blessing and something that should never be taken for granted. 


After all my travels and after all the places in this world I have visited, Cinque Terre is the one place that I will undoubtedly return to because I would and will give anything to experience that feeling again.








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adventure

Carnevale // Venice, Italy

2:46:00 PM



There is something so intimate about an Italian street filled with ornately masked people. 



So far I have spent every weekend break in Italy, aside from the two weekends that were apart of my first 10-day break. There is just something about this country. I have fallen in love with the food, the wine, the architecture, the sounds, and even the people (despite how abrupt they might be).



Venice surpassed all my expectations and somehow managed to put Italy even higher on my love list.

From the moment we stepped off the train and stepped onto the water taxi I was flushed with emotion, thoughts, and an overall feeling of contentedness. Even in a busy street with costumed strangers I felt more in love with life than ever before.



We took a gondola ride, ate three pizzas within the 72 hours, danced through the tight alleys with fresh mulled wine, bought authentic Venetian masks, threw confetti, and laughed until one day ended and the next began. I truly do not think I have laughed or smiled as much as I have this weekend.


On Sunday, a small group of us split off and explored Burano which is a small island in Venice known for its beautiful handmade lace and its darling, colorful buildings that align the canal. 


While I love navigating through these cities, I am truly grateful for the opportunities to step outside the hustle and bustle and get lost in the small towns. I've come to realize that you truly get to know a city and have an authentic experience if you let yourself get lost.



The eight of us small-town lovers had one of the most enjoyable lunches of 2017 in the middle of the town square. We felt the warm sun, indulged in even more pizza, and laughed until it was quite possible that every person in Burano could hear us. It was a moment of true contentedness and utter bliss. We were simply happy.



And before hopping on the water taxi back to the train station, we ate one of the greatest desserts I have ever tasted. I truly cannot even describe the sensation that was a part of this tiny ball of dough. All I know is that it is a treat that is special to Carnevale and that if I could recommend any part of the Carnevale experience, it would be to try this little ball of joy.



 So ciao Venice and ciao Italy, at least for now. I will be back.