I'd never been to Italy before and my Mom and Sister are a little bit beyond obsessed so I could not wait to finally see this glorious place myself, plus feed my obsession with gelato. Oh boy.
Alrighty so we had to get on this overnight ferry to get there and there had been a storm that day in Split and I was a little worried with how this would go over on the open sea and since I'm react so weird to sleeping pills I was too worried to take dramamine because I wanted to enjoy my time in Italy! Well we get on there and had our own little sleeping room with a little bathroom in there and everything. It was kinda homey! We put our stuff down, walked around to explore the ship a little and we even went up on deck to wave bye but it was so windy we could only stay out there for a few minutes. Then we headed down to our little room to see if we could actually sleep on this thing. Kelley took her dramamine and was doing just fine but as soon as I laid down and started to rock blahhh it was a horrible feeling. So unfortunately that was a horrible night but I managed to get some sleep but by the time morning came, and we saw an Italian sunrise- wahoo!- I was running off that ship. Once off there we hopped on a train to Florence!
Firenze, so filled with history, art, good food, GELATO. Oh man I was in love. I'm in a Renaissance art history class and we spent so much time learning about this place and all the history it contains I couldn't wait to see it all first all. The medici family knew how to live if you ask me... Well we arrived in Florence and I went to check into my hostel and drop my luggage off .Kelleys parents were flying in and she was staying at the hotel with them so I stayed in a super nice hostel not too far from them! It had a gym, pool, sauna- so legit! So then we moved onto to let Kelley drop her things off at the hotel and then we needed Gelato asap so that was the first stop. Delicious I had chocolate of course and was floating on cloud 9 with happiness. We walked around Florence and started some explorations because we still had a little time before Kelleys parents arrived. We hit up the beautiful Duomo which I didn't know was so pretty and pink! And saw the famous Ghiberti doors, Giottos bell tower, oh man the history! After getting some good pics Kelley headed back to the hotel to wait for her parents so I headed over to my hostel so get a little more settled but I was only in Florence for 2 1/2 days and I can't sit still for 2 minutes so I set out to explore some more! I probably covered every street of that city since I walk faster than a horse and had a few hours to blow. I also got a little distracted by shopping of course.
Unfortunately Kelleys parents' flight was massively delayed because of the wind that was attacking Florence so they didn't get in until late but when they did it was dinner time! I went over to the hotel to meet them and we started off with happy hour at their hotel, yum. So we definitly had an interesting mix of diets this week. Kelleys mom is gluten free, Kelley is lactose intolerant and I'm vegetarian/ pickiest person ever so it was going to be interesting. But on my walks around Florence that I'd afternoon I'd spotted a gluten free restaurant so we headed there! They had normal italian food and gluten free goodness. Everyone was happy! :) Of course the night wasn't complete without gelato numero dos that I enjoyed as I frolicked back to my hostel for some sleep.
The next day I got up- took full advantage of my in-hostel gym and got ready to take on Florence day number two. We had tickets in the afternoon to see statue of David so we spent the morning on a "Renaissance Walk" as Kelleys mom had in a book from Rick Stevens- legit. We of course started off with some gelato for power and took off to see a whole bunch of 16th century goodness. I fell in love with all the beauty jewerly on the Ponte Vecchio. All the sparkles were entrancing and Kelley's mom and I were in 7th heaven looking at everything. We stopped for more gelato at the best place I've ever been to in my life- and all the tour books were saying it was number one...Grom. AHHH I can't even begin to describe how amazing the flavors were in this gelato, even though it was freezing and rainy. I had extra dark chocolate heaven mixed with pistachio deliciousness. Oh man- theeee best. We also spent some time exploring the street markets and mercado filled with delicious good foods. I bargained for a beautiful purple pasmina and was so happppy. Our friend Jessica was also in Florence with her mom so for dinner we met up with them at a cute little restaurant where I enjoyed some grilled veggie pizza- minus cheese, ew. It was perfect! I'm not a big pizza or pasta lover but this pizza was delish! For dessert Jess, Kelley and I obviously got gelato, yes number 3 of the day. Jessica also goes to LMU and we'd also met on this trip- more best friends for home :)
The next morning we had tickets for the Uffizi musuem filled with all of the art from the Renaissance that the Medici family owned, in their old palace. Simply magnif! I obviously had to hit up everythign I've learned about and inform Kelley of all my splendid new knowledge. I have to say, I'm a little burnt out on art. I can't even begin to tell you how much I've seen, along with cathedrals. But this is something special and I was so excited to see it all! It was beautiful, Birth of Venus, Spring, Giotto, Tintoretto, Titian, Leonardo...ahhhh the "masters" as my art teacher says in her precious Spanish accent. After enoying our lovely tour of art it was unfortunately time for me to go. The cheapest/only flight I could get back to Spain was from a tour a couple hours away by train and I was leaving the next day but I needed to take the train today otherwise I wouldn't my flight the next day. Sucky I know but when your tight on money you do what you can. So I hoped on the train and got in a good little nap and relaxed.
Here's probably the most AWESOME story of this whole trip- no lie. Well I get off the train and the hostel I was staying at had directions on how to get to them. It was nightime and really dark but I thought I had this under control right? Well...I think I got off at the wrong bus stop or took it the wrong way because when I got off where it supposedly said to I was in the ferry port, lost and confused and unsure where to go. So I started walking to where I thought was the exit. I was wrong, I was getting scared and felt soo confused. Anddd of course here come the police. He comes up and burst into tears telling him I had no clue where I was or what to do. I showed him where it was and he was so nice and told me exactly how to get there- phew! Ok well I started walking and he drives away but then 2 minutes later TWO more of them come over, great. I was getting afraid. But, they were my little angels. The one asked me again where my paper was that had the directions. He look at it and goes ok, get on. Um excuse me? Yes, get on my Vespa and we'll take you. I almost died and went to heaven. I had not one but two policia Vespa escorts to my little hostel- one holding me, the other holding my suitcase. I felt like Lizzie McGuire. They took me to my hostal, knocked on the door, talked to the guy and explain my situation and carried my bag up to my room for me. Nicest people in the whole world! Without them I can't even think what would of happened- it was my own little fairytale story for the trip :).
Next day I fly out and made it safey back to Spain :)
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