Pizza, Pasta & Wine: Italia!

Rome

Right after our morning flight from Athens, we quickly ate lunch (pizza, of course) and began our four hour walking tour of Rome! We used the metro to get around. Once while waiting for the train we witnessed a pick-pocketing by several kids - roughly around 10 years of age. They simply caused a scene just to take someone's wallet! I couldn't believe it!

The tour took us to many sites I have been dreaming about my entire life! Starting at the Spanish steps and Piazza di Spagna, we then headed over to the Trevi Fountain. This was my favorite part of Rome!

Throwing my coin in the Trevi Fountain!

After the Trevi Fountain our tour guide took us to the Pantheon, where I had my first gelato in Italy!

First gelato with Ellie and Maya!

From there, we went to see the ancient Roman Forum. This was so cool! I loved listening to all of the history our tour guide informed us on.

Jessica, Kristi and I right outside the Roman Forum!
I love my roommates!

Our last stop of the tour in Rome was seeing the amazing Colosseum. It was so cool imagining what it had been like while in use during Medieval times!

The group inside the Colosseum

Outside the Colosseum at night!

Vatican City

A trip to Rome would be incomplete without visiting the beautiful, completely separate country, Vatican City. We took a 3 hour tour and my breath was taken away several times by the beautiful halls, artwork, paintings, galleries, statues and floors. I couldn't believe I was seeing Raphael's famous painting of the philosopher's and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel! We ended at St. Peter's Basilica, where I was able to see my all-time favorite sculpture Pieta, done by Michelangelo. In the sculpture Jesus is being held by his mother Mary in her lap. The dome was also absolutely phenomenal!

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Group outside of the Vatican/St. Peter's Basilca

The rest of the day was spent relaxing at a cafe eating gelato and chocolates while drinking wine. We also did a little bit of shopping, which is always fun! That night, I went back to the Trevi Fountain and ate a wonderful dinner with my friends Maya and Courtney. It was the perfect last night in Rome!

Trevi Fountain at night with Maya and Courtney

Pisa

On our way to Florence we stopped at the famous Pisa to see, the one and only, Leaning Tower of Pisa! We quickly ate lunch, walked around and then were back on the bus to our next stop of Florence!

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Florence

Arriving in Florence, I quickly knew this was, by far, going to be my favorite city! We first stopped at the Palazzo della Signoria to see a replica of Michelangelo's David and a beautiful view overlooking Florence and the Duomo. 

Group overlooking Florence

After getting settled into our hotel, we ate gelato (a given) and roamed around the city. I loved that we could walk everywhere! We ate at the cutest restaurant and I finally had my spaghetti and meatballs dish! It was such a special place! After dinner we went to a karaoke bar, then called it a night as we were all exhausted. 

Walking around Florence

Dinner out! I loved the candles!

Spaghetti and meatballs! So yummy!

The next day we toured the Uffizi gallery where there where many paintings and sculpture including ones by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Bottecelli and Raphael. They were absolutely stunning! 

Courtney, Jessica and I outside of the Uffizi gallery

After our tour, we quickly ate lunch then went inside the Duomo. It was the most beautiful church I've ever seen! The dome was unbelievable! We then went to see Michelangelo's David and I was so disappointed as it was a hour and a half wait. We simply did not have the time! Definitely on my next trip to Florence (fingers crossed) I will plan to go there. 

Outside the Duomo with Courtney, Lauren,
Jessy, Maya and I

From there we headed in the direction of the one and only... leather market! I made a few purchases (including a leather jacket and purse) that I absolutely love! That night while walking around we ended up at the same restaurant as the night before. We all loved it even more after our second meal there! After dinner my roommate Jessica and I went walking around the city at night. We sat and enjoyed a beautiful street performer playing the flute. It was such a memorable night! I loved Florence!

Venice

Our trip in Venice was short but sweet. We took a ferry there and simply walked around the city/canals, ate lunch and gelato and shopped. We saw the Bridge of Sighs and Saint Mark's Square. Something that I have been dreaming about my entire life was to take a gondola ride in Venice and I am happy to say that dream became real! Our gondolier had lived in Venice his entire life and gave us a tour around the city showing us the school, post office and informing us all about Marco Polo!

Ellie and I in St. Mark's Square

Preston, Danielle, Courtney, Jessica and I
on the gondola!

So happy to be on the gondola!!!

Finished with shopping, a few of us bought mini bottles of wine and sat on the edge by the water. It was relaxation at its finest! We also saw the most breath taking sunset! I will never forget Venice! 

Mini bottles of wine with Ellie, Danielle, Lauren, and Jessica!

Watching the gorgeous sunset with Ellie

After leaving the island, we stayed on the mainland. That night was the best Italian pizza I have ever had! The next day we left Italy for home, in Cyprus. It had been a wonderful and unforgettable trip!

"Submission is not about authority and it is not about obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect." -- W. Paul Young, The Shack