When coming to Europe a lot of people get excited about the traveling, the culture, the sites, the food, where as others get excited about the wine. Wine in Europe is very different than wine in the States. As someone who has grown up making wine with my Italian American family, and studied wine while in Florence, Italy, I can share the uniqueness and proper way to taste a wine and gather all the differences.

When you get that glass of vino placed right in front of you, grab the stem and lightly swirl it around. Making rings around the glass and watch as the remains fall to fill the glass. Check the arches that have been created. Look to see how fast the drips fall. The faster the drips fall to the bottom of the glass, the higher the alcohol content. Most wines range from 11-15% alcohol. The higher the alcohol content is, the higher value and the higher the quality of wine.

Right after you give that glass a swirl, feel free to close your eyes, and put your nose as close as you can, and take in the scents. Take a moment and get past the “it smells like alcohol”, and really gather what else is there. Many stronger red wines have chocolate, spices, smoke, or fruit for example. Whites tend to have more fruit, and sweetness, as well as floral, and freshness. Proseco, champagne, and other bubbly fancy after dinner drinks are definitely sweeter.

You have the alcohol content and the scents, now comes the fun part… pairing it with food! Most summer, light, refreshing foods i.e; fish, salads, and some desserts are good to pair with a white wine. Where as the heavier, more winter foods are good with a nice glass of red. Those include a nice steak, pork, stews, and even chocolate is better paired with red wine too.

Hopefully these new tips will help you when planning your next meal. For it is very important while in Europe to have the appropriate wine with the proper dish. Not only does it make you look like a real vino pro, but it will also enhance your eating experience! So get ready to enjoy food and wine in a whole new way!

Ready to put your wine tasting skills to use?  Bus2alps is a student travel agency that offers day trips to Tuscany that include wine tastings and food pairings.  For information on our Florence 2 Siena & San Gimignano day trip, please click here.  For information on our Taste of Tuscany day trip out of Rome and Florence, please click here. Cheers!

You just got to Florence, the sun is shining, and you are sitting on the steps of Piazzale Michelangelo. The only thing wrong with this picture is that you are not holding a cone of gelato in your hand.

Luckily, the annual Florence gelato festival is starting this week and you will be able to get some of the best ice cream in the country! Gelato was born in Florence when Bernardo Buontalenti invented it for the court of Catherine de’Medici over 448 years ago. He created gelato with cold cream made from milk, honey, and egg yolks (of course with a splash of wine). Every year Florence holds the annual gelato tour. It starts May 17 and lasts until May 26.

Being an avid gelato lover, I decided to investigate this delicious festival. I walked over to Piazza Repubblica yesterday to see what all the fuss was about and let me tell you, it was worth the 7 steps it took me to get there. I bought a card for 5 euro, which allowed me to taste 5 different flavors in pretty large cups. Heaven.

If you are in Rome and think you are missing out, don’t worry, Bus2alps has a Florence Day Trip that will bring you to the festival with an experienced Bus2alps guide who will make sure you eat the most ice cream you have ever eaten in your life!

There are a lot of different events scheduled for the week so you can check them out on their website here.

Amalfi: Some of the bluest water you’ve ever seen, black sand beaches that make your skin glow with the summer sun, towns built up on breathtaking cliffs painted with beautiful pastels, and seafood that is out of this world. Welcome to the Amalfi Coast. Bus2alps has you staying in beautiful Sorrento, and then transports you to the Isle of Capri, Positano, and stops in Pompeii on the way home. A perfect mix of touring, beach time, and historical sites – there’s a reason why this tour has won awards in the past. Go cliff jumping, browse the coral jewelry, sip on limoncello on the rooftop terrace of Seven Hostel, and enjoy a weekend in paradise.

Rome: Though Florence is gorgeous, the Eternal city is just a few hours south and well worth the journey. Head to Rome and explore the sights you’ve had in your history books for ages. Walk through the Coliseum and picture the Gladiators, picture the war celebrations parading through the Forum, throw that coin over your shoulder at the Trevi fountain, and end the day with a look up at the ceiling of the Pantheon. Then head out to explore the illuminated city – Vatican, the Spanish steps, and check out a few of Bus2alps’s favorite restaurants and nightlife spots along the way. It’s a weekend roaming Rome and well worth it.

French Riviera: Spend a weekend pretending to be famous (or maybe even taste a little bit of real fame) while strolling the French Riviera with the likes of Beyonce, Keith Urban, Jennifer Aniston, and the Kardashians. Head to Wayne’s Bar and dance above the crowd, and maybe even find someone with a yacht that’s feeling generous enough for guests (no, but really, it’s happened). During the day, travel to Eze, Monaco and Antibes, hit up the Monte Carlo Casino and try your luck. This place will require a little shopping, but that’s the perfect excuse to get a nice Italian suit or a new pair of heels, right? Plus, needless to say, the beaches are gorgeous.

Munich: Though Springfest may be over, Munich is still bustling with life in the summer when the snow has cleared and the people are out in the streets. Take a bike tour and learn a little history – you can even have a sobering visit to Dachau, the local concentration camp and remember how recent history really is. Then spend the night meeting the locals in the beer halls and gardens all while making sure you get in that taste of perfect brews and the biggest bratwurst you’ll ever see.

Croatia: Picture it: you get off the bus and begin your walk through a rainforest – the roots of the trees are tangled above crystal clear water swimming with fish swimming against the current. You’re walking on wooden paths twisting and turning among the vines. Waterfalls can be heard in the distance. On your left and right, meadows flourish with little purple flowers – a carpet of sweet scented beauty and finally, you round a bend and see the most beautiful tumult of waterfalls with a pool at the bottom of emerald water. The swimming is gorgeous. This is just the last day of your time in Croatia. Before this, you’ve been whitewater rafting and island hopping off the coast of Split. Yes, it is a little bit longer of a bus ride, but the beauty is worth it.

Prague: Spend a weekend in the city of fairy tales  Watch the clock tower, riddled with myths and legends, come to life on the hour and ring out over beautiful architecture and the river below. Then, visit the “happily ever after” John Lennon wall – where words and art depicting peace and love will make your cameras glow and your hearts grow two sizes bigger, plus you can leave your own mark. Remember to bring a sharpie! At night after a day of beauty, meet up with your group to head out onto town and maybe even finish at one of Bus2alps’s favorites – Lucerna a club that plays the best of the best 90’s music.

Cinque Terre: Only a two hour drive from Florence, Cinque Terre is a gorgeous one-day getaway that is good for those that want some time in Florence for the weekend, but still go to somewhere beautiful on the coast. Spend the day hiking between towns, or sun bathing on the cliffs or on the beach in Monterosso. Eat tons of pesto-covered things like focaccia bread and pizza. Get a pina colada and use your photography skills for the brightly colored towns precariously perched on the cliffs. It’s a day getaway to get out of the stone of Florence, and you’ll be back to go out that night!

These are just a few places that we’d recommend for the summer – of course there are many more that may peak your interest, but now is the time to plan! Get moving.

After all the rain has come and gone, the heavy sweaters are packed away till fall, and the bikini season is upon us, there’s only one thing to really start to prepare yourself for.  It’s summers in Europe.

The best part about jet setting for a summer in Europe; is the light packing!  You will not need to fill a huge suitcase.  It takes a lot of light, “airy” clothes, and a few fun accessories.  For starters, ladies, pack lots of fun flirty skirts, those linen lightweight pants, dresses, and basic tanks and tees.  You’re not here for very long, so just bring the basic necessities.

As far as shoes go, flats are your favorite in Europe with all the cobblestones.  Fun oxfords, ballet flats, short summer boots.  You can wear them out at night or during the day.  Leave the heels in the USA, girls.  Coming from a girl who wears heels all day everyday back in the states, trust me you’ll be glad you spared them.  First off, it’s hard to walk in those 3 inches on the cobblestones, and second, if you can manage to strut down the streets, your heels will actually get ruined.  Wedges are the way to go.  They are much easier to walk in, they don’t get ruined as easily, and they are much easier to handle on the cobblestones.  For an added bonus, they still give you the same lift, and make your legs look just as great as heels do!  Pack your wedges, don’t stick out like a sore thumb and be that American attempting to walk around in heels.

The street musicians are back in the cities and the coastlines are warming up, flowers are blooming and outdoor seating in the piazzas is popping up as quickly as the tulips; summer is coming, and Europeans couldn’t be more excited.  Stepping off the plane for a summer in Europe is exciting, stupendous, astounding, breathtaking, and sometimes a little annoying because of things you may miss from home – but seriously, it’s guaranteed to be one of the best summers of your life.

The heat of the summer is inevitable in Europe – especially in Italy, and other more southern areas. Regardless of where you are, there are ways to beat the heat (even if you don’t have AC where you’re staying). Eat lots of frozen treats – granitas and gelato in Italy, for example. Have a fruit smoothie with locally grown fruits. Staying hydrated isn’t usually a problem in the cities (or even the little towns like Interlaken, Switzerland) because of the numerous water fountains located around the area. Some, like the one in Piazza Signioria in Florence, even have sparkling water as an option. This water is either glacial or at least pretty cold and much better than spending your money on bottled. Take advantage of it.

Also, make sure you stroll at night – when the city comes alive after the sun has set. Dress up for it and sit outside the bars or in the outdoor seating areas in restaurants (no open container laws usually!) and enjoy the summer night surrounded by the beauty of Europe. Take the high road and go to a vantage point above the cities as well. Most illuminate their most coveted monuments so a view of the cities at night is just as beautiful, if not more so than the day. Plus, the heat has resided so you may even enjoy yourself a little more. *Side note – in some cities at night, the mosquitoes are out. Prepare yourself by bringing repellant or at least a lotion to cool the bites afterwards!

Make sure to hit the beach up at some point. Most Europeans do during the summer to beat the heat as well. Difference is – most beaches are paid here – meaning you throw a couple Euros their way, and you get to be treated like royalty with beach lounge chairs and your own umbrella. Usually this cost also includes showers (because the seas are pretty salty here) and sometime of changing area and food shack. Though different, it’s cool to feel welcome and fit in on a beach here. If you really miss just lying on the sand with your towel, you usually still can on a small area of “free beach” but it definitely isn’t as nice as the others.

But most of all, experience the European lifestyle as it is in the best season to see it – when everything is bustling and booming, and the European citizens are happy that the long winter is over. What you may miss with barbeques and Fouth of July parties, you’ll get back with food festivals in piazzas and beauty that is insurmountable. Good Luck with the flight over, and we’ll see you in the city!

Our very own Lisa Harvey wrote a blog post that was recently featured on GoOverseas.com‘s blog.  We couldn’t resist proudly posting up a little taste of it here.  The subject: 10 Mistakes Made While Studying Abroad.  The layout: 10 quotes from famous people ranging from Britney Spears to John Steinbeck.  The idea: To take this advice with you when abroad so that you don’t make any silly rookie mistakes.

1. Knows Nothing About the Host Country

“The cool thing about being famous is traveling. I have always wanted to travel across seas, like to Canada and stuff.” – Britney Spears

For goodness sake, if you are committed to studying abroad, study before you come abroad. Americans have a reputation for being ignorant of the world. Break that stereotype early by learning about where you will be living, the geography, and the people. Know the surrounding countries, know their ways of life, and know what language they speak.

2. Uses Only English

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – Kames Michener

If you do not think you can appreciate different language or culture, you are not learning.You don’t have to be perfectly fluent, but try to say hello in their language and listen to those that have different beliefs. Practice every chance you get – even if they speak back to you in English. Language ties people together. Learn as many as you can.

For the full list of quotes and handy quotes, don’t wait another second and click here!

The sun is beginning to set on your time abroad. Cracks of purple and pink are breaking your fading skies to fragments, and you know it’s almost time to leave.

Soak in this moment and reflect on the ride. You lived here. You jumped in the ice-cold water of culture shock back in January and allowed the water to warm. Espresso became less bitter as snippets of Italian were absorbed into your vocabulary. Salt-less bread became the norm and Mozzarella melted in your mouth.  You made friends named Pino and Massimo, and you kissed them on both cheeks.  Family style at Gatto never failed you and the limoncello shots were always free. You stopped noticing the churches and their bells and the gypsies that swarmed like pigeons. The accordion outside became the default ambience, and fresh foccacia the accompanying scent.  You lived like an Italian even though you didn’t look like one, but the food tasted just as good. And while every weekend was somewhere new, going home meant Florence.

That’ll be different now, but so will you.

While you’re in Europe hopping along all these wonderful countries, it only makes sense to hop across to another continent right? As crazy as it seems, Africa is just a quick flight away. Morocco was calling my name for a 10 day get away!

I spent the first 4 days in Marrakech. Enjoyed the souks, bargained a lot. Got some great jewelry, mint tea, and Aargon oil! Gotta love that stuff! And even ate some great interesting food. However as the 10 days went on, that food got real old, real quick! Hiked up the Ourika valley, rode some camels, and had tea with a Berber family, and learned a little more about the Moroccan history.

After all the fun and craziness of Marrakech was had, me as well as a few others took it up with the Sahara. Bucket list check off! We roughed it for a few nights. Sand boarded the dunes, rode some more camels, and ate some more interesting food.

Of course the kicker was when we woke up at 6:45 in the morning to head out to our next big adventure in Morocco, Tagezout, to find that the Sahara was FLOODED! We packed up our 4×4’s, and started to drive through the dunes. But our vehicles kept getting stuck in the sand. What should’ve taken us 2.5 hours to get out of, took us 14! We had to walk through a lake for 2 miles. Pants hiked up to our knees, and walking through the slippery slimy lake and sand. Was definitely one for the books. The biggest storm and most rain the Sahara has seen in generations.

After we were finally rescued from the Sahara, we made our way to Tagezout. A small surfer town. Great for some R&R! Instead of taking my talents to the surf, I found a nice big rock, laid my towel down and then my behind as well and tanned for several hours. Let me tell ya, getting outta the Sahara was stressful enough, I needed a little beach time!

Chilled out with a bunch of surfers at night on top of the hotel over looking the coastline with a nice big BBQ. A BBQ never sounded so good! Give me a piece of America, but also a break from Moroccan food!

Our final destination was Essaouira. My favorite! It’s a great little fisherman’s village with lots of great shopping, and pretty views. Lots of different type of food there to eat, and just an all around fun walk in the sun type of place! Unfortunately this was our last place we ventured to, and were only here for one night. So we packed up our things and headed back to the big city and then catching a flight back to Italia!

As much fun as this trip was, and as many amazing people as I have met, I happy to be back on Italy grounds. The food in Morocco was interesting, but the experiences and “Bucket list check offs” were well worth it! For those who are very adventurous, and into experiencing brand new and different cultures, I highly recommend heading to this part of Africa, Morocco!

Bus2alps is a student travel agency that offers various day, weekend and fall/spring/summer break trips including weekend and 10-day trips to Morocco.  For more general information, visit our website here.

Reblogged from Girl in Florence:

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We are back again, ready for an all-night extravaganza of events this Tuesday April 30th in Florence, Italy - I am of course referring to Notte Bianca or 'White Night' the day before May Day - labor day and a national holiday. I am super excited as always since it's a great excuse to meet up with friends and make Florence your Disneyland for at least one night.

Read more… 947 more words