Having lived in Italy for four months, I thought I would impart my wisdom to study abroad students and fellow travelers alike. Money is a key factor in anyone’s travel experience. Here is what I have learned…. (and some of it the hard way!)
Hostels. Hostels are the way to go in Europe, hands down. They are far nicer and cleaner than European hotels with low star ratings.
I appreciate all of the travel opportunities I have had, especially when studying in Florence last year. My advice to you: travel now. I keep running into people wishing they had a reason to travel. They have always wanted to see Paris, but have never had a reason to go. The desire to travel is reason enough.
Maybe you just learned about a place so far away it doesn’t seem real.
For the past 9 months I have lived in the city that I studied abroad in. I never thought I could love a city as much as I loved Florence, so when I got the opportunity to move to Rome, I was not sure what to think. I am a Florence girl. I know the city, the people, where to go…what to do…but the idea of having an adventure in Rome appealed to me. I decided to go for it, and after almost 2 weeks of living in the eternal city, I think it is safe to say that I am transferring into a Roman.
The lifestyles are by far different in more ways then one. I have had to say goodbye to the Oil Shoppe, but thank goodness the pizza shop down the street has Suppli’s. I am beginning to look forward to Tony’s dinners as much as I looked forward to Gatto, and I am just starting to get the hang of the bus (which is just never going to be on time).
There is something magical about walking over the Bridge of Angels to the Castel Sant’Angelo at night, and I will never get over that I can see the Vatican from my bedroom window. I am just a bus ride away from hanging out with some gladiators at the Coliseum, and I love that there are ruins literally all over the city. Casually. Romans are similar to Florentines, as I have found them to be generous, caring people, with the same pride in their city that Florence has.
Exploring different parts of Italy is one of my favorite parts about living here. It’s great that Naples is just 2 hours away from Rome, and I really do love going there. Any city famous for mozzarella cheese is a winner in my book, and when you throw in four castles and the birthplace of pizza…I’m sold. I love the culture in SouthernItaly, so I am fortunate to be able to get down there on our trip often.
Having been fortunate enough to live in both Florence and Rome, I am excited and ready to continue my life in home sweet Rome!
Perfect weather made for perfect trips to the Italian coastline this weekend! We had a wonderful group of Florence and Rome Bus2Alpers that hungout on the Isle of Capri and Positano. The entire group had a perfect beach day with some cliff jumping (good job on the flip Peter from JMU). The trip ended perfectly with the entire group of law students from Monash laughing hysterically at the court scene in Baby Mama that no one else understood. A little bit north, we still had wonderful weather at Cinque Terre, where the sun pulled people to the coast and we had one hundred and forty five people sign up to catch some rays. Coming around the last corner of the hardest hike from Vernazza to Monterosso Al Mare, Bus2Alps could be seen dominating the beach with everyone laying out and swimming. We had another group of wine enthusiasts head to Siena and San Gimignano on Saturday. Not only did they get to explore the hill towns with some of the world’s best gelato in hand, but they also had the chance to visit one of the oldest wineries in Tuscany. Everyone’s mouth was purple from all of the “swishing of love and poetry in their mouths” as our friend, Carlos, at the winery calls wine tasting.
Those that stayed home this weekend in Rome didn’t miss out! Many students spent quite a bit of time wandering around the Eternal City snapping pictures for our photo contest. Sammi ended up winning with an unbelievable shotof the Castel Sant’Angelo in the rain and scored herself a 50% off trip toCroatia. Gina and Jennifer placed 2nd and 3rd respectfully, and won 50% off a trip to the French Riviera and a Naples day trip. Wednesday night we all went to our favorite spot in Trastevere, Tony’s for a traditional Roman meal. We raffled off t-shirts,and several free trips, and even received many a bacio from Tony himself. After rolling out of Tony’s we went across the street for chocolate shots followed by an epic after party at Le Bain Nighclub. Friday’s day trip to the birthplace of pizza, Naples, left everyone full. Sunday, Porta Portesemarket was buzzing as the weather was perfect for a lazy stroll and outdoor shopping.
The Barcelona crew didn’t missout on the sunshine either as they spent their first week pounding the pavements, meeting students around town and on the beach, and settling in to their new place. On Saturday, the staff finally saw the city the right way with a great group of students on a city bike tour, even stopping for Tapas and Sangria at a small, rustic place nestled tightly along the street. Trying everything from octopus to their favorite potato bravas, both the Bus2alps crew and the students studying in Barcelona left the bike tour full, happy, and even more in love with the city. Alex finally made it to Barcelona to join the crew as well, putting an extra pep in everyone’s step. They are ready to kick off another great week starting with the night bike tour and Dow Jones Bar event.
We’re getting bronzed up and loving life here as we break summer in! A ton of activities are on the way as well as some trips you do NOT want to miss out on. See you out on the streetsor (more importantly) on the bus!
Interlaken, Switzerland. Population 5,319. Two words, Swiss chocolate. If you never had real Swiss chocolate, you have not lived and I feel sorry for you. I’ve been there two times, both summer and winter. I’d like to say it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been in both seasons. But I’m anticipating my list to grow in the next couple years so I will keep you posted.
Beginning of the blog, and I’m jumping in with a post about a trip already and not going in chronological order which is strange for me. My OCD is fighting it but it is 12:00AM and I am lying in my bed in Florence and damn is it comfy. Plus I have to battle my dislike of coffee once again in the morning while chatting at Astor for free ice coffee day.
Set a budget! Going out every night to celebrate being in another country can get extremely expensive. Whether your’e swiping your parents credit cards or you are financing yourself, you don’t want to deplete your bank account the first week you are abroad. Some quick tips to saving Euros while studying abroad..
Travel Tip of This Trip So Far
Becca Pilolla
So when I found out about moving to Barcelona this summer, and being able to travel ALL the time, I thought I had it figured out. Of course, my family and I only travel carry-on size as it is. But I know that lasting 7 months with changing seasons, a single carry-on case just wont do. So let’s just take ONE BIG SUITCASE and have a back pack as a carry-on. I thought I had totally beaten this european moving and traveling everywhere system…
As far as travel tips go, we have all heard the tried and true advice countless times. I know that I am supposed to pack light and only bring what I will need. As I try to travel more and more and have the opportunity to make the same mistakes that every novice traveler makes, I find I have a little advice to share as well these days!
This past week has been consumed with new students arriving, adjusting to their cities, getting a taste of European nightlife and seeing some amazing sites. In Rome, from seeing the Colosseum for the first time to walking through Campo di Fiori, excitement is filling the streets and students are discovering the real Roma. It has been great discover the best local nightlife spots Rome has to offer with students from John Cabot, Temple and Loyola, we cannot wait for the summer ahead! On a personal note, we’re very excited for the penne alle vodka at our favorite place, Tony’s, and are also looking forward to our day trips to Naples and Taste ofTuscany this weekend.
Florence just had a family dinner at Gatto’s with new friends from around town including FSU, SACI, and FUA where Patricia of SACI won 50% off a trip to the fairytale city of Prague, and Austin of FSU won a free trip to Venice! The Bus2Alps Florence Squad (we’ve decided on squad for now but are open for suggestions if they sound cooler) has been at a ton of events making sure the newkids on the block feel right at home in Firenze. Through the past few days, we’ve set our sights on the upcoming summer with free iced coffee Monday at Astor, and the overcast skies only made the colors pop in Vernazza on the day trip to Cinque Terre Sunday. Tiernan led a group of twenty nine through all five towns, stopping for pesto pizza and a strange mix of hot chocolate and Pina Coladas to end the day.
Pina Coladas were flowing with the Barcelona staff trekking down the coast to help kickoff summer with our first Amalfi trip! Joined by Jill from Florence, we started off the summer session by accompanying a small but amazing group of girls that showcased their eclectic dance moves (Kerianne in particular) at the English Inn as they each took turns dancing in the center of the group. Even the Sorrento natives quickly abandoned their low-key table conversations joined the party on the dance floor. Now that the Barcelona Bus2alps staff has settled into their new apartment in the city, they are anxious and excited to start meeting newstudents, enjoying the beach, and kicking off a summer to remember. The crew is looking forward to checking out and spending time with the incoming students at all the local hotspots like Bar Dow Jones and Bo de B as well as meeting people and checking out the sites on the city’s bike tour.
After only a week, Summer 2012 has kicked off quite loverly, making us excited to see what the next 3 months have for us.
Tags: bus2alps, florence, bus to alps, study abroad, italy, rome, europe, barcelona, fun, positano, summer, tips, 2012, amalfi, kick off, itineraries
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