Amalfi Coast: Capri, Positano, and Pompeii

I spent one of my last weekends before school comes to an end in an Italian paradise! The cities on the coast near Naples, Italy are tucked into the cliffs that overlook the stunning coastline of the Tyrrhenian Sea. My roommate Kay and I traveled with the student travel organization, Bus2Alps. We started our journey in Sorrento, where we then took a ferry to the island of Capri. After a boat cruise around the island, in which we explored some of the famous grottos, Kay and I walked through the different small towns of Capri. We even took a chairlift up to the highest peak. When we got to the top, we were shocked to see that we were actually in a cloud and had no view at all. What a crazy experience!

The Port of Sorrento

Kay and I in Capri

The chairlift 

Inside the cloud on the mountain

The next day Kay and I went with Bus2Alps to the seaside town of Positano. After a twisting and turning bus ride, we got off at the top of the large cliff and descended what must have been hundreds of steps to the city below. The houses of the city are stacked up on top of each other up the side of the cliffs, which makes for a beautiful and unique sight. We spent the day relaxing on the famous black sand beaches of Positano and wandering through the sloped streets which were full of great shopping.

Relaxing at the beach in Positano

The last day of the trip to the Amalfi Coast was spent in the ancient Roman city of ruins, Pompeii. The weather was beautiful, and we got to explore the city that was once buried 20 ft under the ground after Mount Vesuvius erupted. So much was so perfectly preserved that it was like entering a time machine when I walked through the city gates. We saw the forum, the central piazza, the brothel, the public bathes, and a wealthy person's villa. The most incredible part was seeing the molds of people from Pompeii who are forever shown in the way that they died. The molds were made from the pockets of air that were found underground where the peoples' bodies used to lie. It was incredibly moving and surreal to see. 

Pompeii with Mt. Vesuvius in the clouds behind

Plaster cast of Pompeii person

Day Trip To Venice

Last weekend, I went to Venice for a day trip with my roommates Chrissy and Kay. We took a night train into the ancient city, which is comprised of 118 small islands all linked by an endless maze of canals and bridges. We spent the morning wandering through the the winding passages and found our way to St. Mark's Square. The piazza was beautiful in the early morning with the foggy sea air hanging over the crowded square. We walked across the famous Rialto Bridge which spans the Grand Canal, and got a peek at the Bridge of Sighs.

Gondolas of Venice

Kay and I on the Grand Canal

St. Mark's Square

In the afternoon, we went on a four hour boat excursion to the islands of Murano, Torcello, and Burano. In Murano, we watched a glass blowing demonstration. The master glass blower made a glass horse in less than 3 minutes. I was mesmerized by the whole thing! In Torcello, we entered into an overgrown island full of picturesque canals and vineyards. The final island, Burano, is a fishing village where all the houses are painted different bright colors. In fact, for a resident of Burano to paint their house, they must seek approval for the shade of paint that they choose! We wandered around the town admiring the souvenirs and lace products which they are famous for in Burano. Then we hopped back on the tour boat and headed back to Venice.

Heating up the glass during the demonstration in Murano

The glass blowing master making his horse

My reaction to the glass blowing show

Walking the peaceful paths in Torcello

The colorful houses of Burano

After a full day of exploring one of Italy's gems, we headed back on a late night train to Florence.

Buona Pasqua: Easter In Italy

My first Easter that I've ever spent away from home was one of the most exciting. Fortunately, I was even able to be with my parents and cousin for the morning. In Florence, there is a famous folk tradition called "Scoppio del Carro" which translates to mean "The Explosion of the Cart." Every Easter Sunday, a antique cart is pulled into Piazza del Duomo by elaborately decorated white oxen. The oxen are unhooked from the cart (then taken a safe distance away), and the cart is lit with the holy fire that originates from the First Crusade. The cart explodes into a complex fireworks show that lasts almost 20 minutes!

My family and I braved the cold, rainy weather and stood with the crowd of thousands of Florentines and visitors to see the spectacle. The crowd was thrilled by the show despite the rain. I was in awe of the pyrotechnics and amount of planning that most have gone into sequencing the fireworks show. After an unforgettable Easter morning, my parents left to catch their flight back home.

The Cart in front of the Duomo 

Explosion!

The oxen who pulled the Exploding Cart into the piazza

My cousin, Katie, and I took a train to Pisa, Italy on Easter afternoon. We walked to the Campo dei Miracoli where we saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was truly a sight to behold. We took the most touristy pictures that we could think of. As we were doing this, a huge thunderstorm suddenly rolled in. Katie and I took out our umbrellas and started taking even more pictures. We were some of the only people left in front of the famous tower. The storm passed and we walked through Pisa and enjoyed a delicious Easter dinner of what else but pasta!

My Family In Tuscany!

Last Sunday night, my parents arrived in Florence for their one-week long visit. After sharing our first Italian meal together and of course some gelato, they settled in to their lovely Bed & Breakfast, which is conveniently located across the street from my apartment. On Monday, my cousin, Katie, who is currently studying abroad in Portugal, joined us to see Florence. We all strolled together through the leather market and ate another delicious Italian dinner at my new favorite restaurant - Trattoria Za-Za.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent exploring Florence with my family, while balancing classes and schoolwork. We visited the Duomo, reveled in the beauty of San Maria Novella, enjoyed the history and art in Santa Croce, and made our way through the countless rooms of renaissance art in the Uffizzi. Each night was filled with magnificent meals and even more delectable sweet treats. One night we climbed up to Piazza Michelangelo to enjoy the beautiful views of the entire city of Florence.

My parents and I at Piazza Michelangelo

On Thursday, we boarded a regional train and traveled to the small Tuscan town of Lucca. Lucca is a medieval, walled city, and today, the residents and visitors of Lucca enjoy strolling or biking along the wall. We stayed in a lovely hotel and enjoyed shopping in the little shops, climbing the ancient tower - which had living trees at the top, and biking along the wall. The town was so beautiful with it's blooming trees, grassy parks, and rolling hills in the background. I loved every minute of our time spent in Lucca.

Train to Lucca

Climbing the tower in Lucca

Biking on the wall in Lucca

Now we've returned to Florence and my parents leave for the U.S. tomorrow afternoon, but not after a traditional Florentine Easter celebration!