A Weekend on the Amalfi Coast: 9/11/14-9/14/14

I remember sitting in class in Connecticut and receiving emails about weekend trips being offered during my time abroad. As I looked up pictures of all of the different places, I was in awe of the fact that I would soon have the chance to actually see them firsthand. In a few short months, I would have a chance to stand in these places and take and post my own photos, rather than seeing them all online or in magazines. Scrolling through the list, I booked a weekend trip to the Amalfi Coast with no hesitation. For me, the Amalfi Coast has always been one of those bucket list destinations. The months after I booked my trip flew by, and my weekend travels to Amalfi were finally here. 

I left Rome and began my four hour bus trip to Naples on Thursday night. I stayed in a hostel for the weekend- which was a new and very different experience for me.

On Friday morning, we had a 6:30am wake-up call before we headed off to Capri for the day. The island of Capri is off the Sorrentine Peninsula and is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in the entire world. After seeing the Blue Grotto, Faraglioni, the Punta Carena Lighthouse, the Arco Naturale and the Grotta delle Felci on a boat trip to the city, we arrived in Anacapri. Anacapri, a commune on Capri, is at a higher elevation than the island itself. 

Anacapri had several shops and restaurants (with some of the best gnocchi I've tasted in my 20 years of life) and proved to be an amazing place to spend a day while in Amalfi. While here, I took a chairlift to the summit of Monte Solaro and was able to see the entire island of Capri from 589 meters above sea level. For only 10 euro, this chairlift- as “touristy” as it may seem- was the highlight of my weekend (in addition to the delicious pizza we ate in Naples that night. Pizza, afterall, was invented in Naples, so I was not leaving the city until I got to try it!)

On Saturday morning, we were off to Positano. I know every person who travels says this about every place they visit, but pictures of Positano do it absolutely no justice. This village and commune in Campania, Italy is home to many beautiful churches and has been featured in several films. I spent my day in Positano relaxing on the beach and would not have wanted it any other way. 

My last day of the trip was dedicated to a trip to Pompei, a city in Naples famous for its ancient Roman ruins. While it was awesome to be able to see these ruins, I was exhausted from my long weekend and was feeling a bit Rome-sick. My weekend in Amalfi was absolutely amazing and gave me the chance to see so many unbelievably breathtaking sights that I had always wished (but never really thought) I would one day have the chance to see. After exploring some of the ruins, we were ready to return to Rome and our air-conditioned and WiFi-accessible apartment. 

V&V Takes Italy: 9/6/14

Ciao! It's been nearly two months since I have posted and in that seemingly short amount of time, so much has been happening in my life. I am finally in Italy (!) and am getting adjusted to life abroad and the six hour time difference. My classes started last Monday and I have (luckily) been able to find time to explore and see some of what this gorgeous city has to offer.

Living in a new place is always challenging. Add to that the fact that this "new place" is on a different continent, located 4,129 miles away from the place I called home for nineteen years and inhabited by complete strangers who speak a different language and I'm sure you can begin to understand how, at times, this experience can prove to be a little difficult. One thing I have learned is that I can either sit around, feel homesick and allow myself to feel overwhelmed by all of this, or I can choose to get up and make the most of every minute that I have here. 

Rome, although it is so incredibly different from Rhode Island and Connecticut that it seems like it is practically located on a different planet, is one of the most beautiful places in the entire world. I am shocked every day that I wake up here and look out my window at the view from my bedroom. Every square inch of this place is so beautifully constructed and it has taught me more in a period of two weeks than I could ever learn in America. Not only am I going to be able to learn so much in my classes, but I am learning so much about this beautiful city and even more about myself during my time abroad. Deciding to pack up and move over 4,000 miles across the world and delve into an entirely different culture has proven to be one of the best choices I have made in my entire life- and the fact that I can say this only two weeks into this experience should show a lot about how incredible this place really is. 

Within the next few months, I'm sure I will be uploading an overwhelming amount of pictures and posts. I am walking around the city looking like the ultimate tourist/American but I can't help but want to capture and share every bit of the beauty of this city! Until next time, arrivederci!

The beautiful view from outside of my bedroom window.

My neighborhood for the next few months!

I have eaten here almost every single day and am still not sick of the delicious food (and beautiful Italian waiters.)

Lungotevere Trastevere- my favorite place to go at night and one of the most beautiful views during the day!

The pizza here is just as good as I had imagined it would be.

Each time we've had dinner here, the waiters have brought us out free wine, desserts and appetizers- and there is nothing I love more in the world than free food.

The walk through my neighborhood never ceases to amaze me.

One of my favorite meals here so far, as pathetic as it may sound, has been this breakfast.

Found my favorite little coffee shop. Vowing to train myself to drink (and enjoy) coffee while I am in Europe.

Found pancakes, finally (!)

My favorite place that I've never been to. This little place sells wraps that make my mouth water every time I pass by.

Anyone who knows me knows how unbelievably happy I was to find a creperie here in Rome. I've been back nearly every day, and while I do love the Nutella and banana crepes, I'm still on the hunt for fresh strawberries. Italian food is amazing, but this creperie does not stand a chance against my all time favorite place, La Creperie, in Providence, RI.