Family Trip Abroad

November 28, 2017
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England
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The past week, my family came to visit me. It was very nice to see them, but it was even better to travel with them. My family has traveled a lot of the East coast of the United States, but we never traveled abroad together. My sister is the only one that ever got out of the country and that was because she studying abroad. We stayed in London for a few days where I took them around to the museums they wanted to see and the stores they wanted to go to, but then we were off.

Our first stop was Florence where my sister studied abroad. I have studied Italian for 6 years, but I never got the chance to actually go to Italy. Florence was by far my favorite city I have been to. The town is just so cute and small, yet so Italian. I am definitely going back there with my sister in a few years. The food was also very delicious. Also, for future reference, the streets are all cobblestones so don’t wear heels or shoes you care about because they will most likely get ruined. There are so many museums there and so many famous artworks there. I highly recommend everyone see Florence.

The final stop on our trip was to Rome. Rome was very different than Florence. Rome has historic sites very spread out where it is a long walk to each. We didn’t do much while we were there since everything is spread out, but what we did see was amazing. We went to the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. They were all beautiful, but we walked so much while we were there. If you go to Rome, make sure to pack sneakers and make sure you have a break at the hotel/hostel during the day.

Third Stop: Rome!

May 12, 2015
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UK and Ireland Wales
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3 Comments

The next stop for five days was in the beautiful city of Rome! Not only was I spending the first week in April in Rome, but I was spending my birthday in the ancient city.

The weather in Rome was a nice change from the wind and rain from our previous trips. Before heading to Rome, one of the things I was looking forward to was the food! The first meal I had in Rome was a pizza filled with prosciutto. I knew from that first meal that Italy was not going to disappoint!

The first place I visited was the Vatican Museum. The Vatican Museum was overwhelming, amazing, but overwhelming! There was so many things to look at. In every direction, there was beautiful art that I wanted to capture in my mind forever. It took my breath away at the amount of work that went into making these masterpieces we know today.

From my time at the Vatican Museum, I learned two things:

Be VERY careful: I learned before traveling about the thieves, but also keep in mind for the people trying to sell you a bag, selfie stick, tour, whatever. Be mindful and smart.
Be in the moment: I made the mistake of missing the most important piece in the Vatican. I was so focused on taking a photo of the overall picture, I forgot to take the finer details in. Put down the phone and just take it in.

Aside from the Vatican. I saw the Colosseum and I was in awe. I’ve always saw this on television and photos that actually being there left me speechless. I remember taking photos and realizing how unreal it looked. I also had the opportunity to go inside and explore it’s history. I was surprised at the information I’ve already knew. (Thanks SUNY New Paltz!)

Since I went the week of Easter, I was honored to see the Pope! On Good Friday, we were able to see him and be apart of a mass in front of the Colosseum with over thousands of people from around the world. It was a surreal experience that I will never forget. Also seeing the sunset behind the Colosseum wasn’t a bad sight.

Towards the end of the trip, I wanted to fulfill my Lizzie McGuire dream of seeing the Trevi Fountain. Now, I knew beforehand it was under construction, but I was in for a surprise.

Tip #3: Don’t assume things are going to be like the movies or the way you wanted it.

Even though it was HEAVILY under construction, it was still great to see it and throw a coin, even if no water was running.

Rome was filled with so much great history and delicious food. I had an amazing time and wouldn’t mind visiting Italy again.

When Life Gives You Lemons… Go to Rome!

March 16, 2015
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Europe Italy
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Hey all! I know it has been a while since my last post, I have just been so caught up in Milan truly embracing life. I must say being in Milan for Fashion Week was quite cool. But alas I am writing another post, about my latest adventure, ROMA!

Roommates Roam Rome!

The past week has not really been the best. But that’s what is important with study abroad, you must keep in mind that not every day is going to be perfect; nothing ever is. I do constantly remind myself though that even when times are tough, they are tough while I’m in Milan! This reassurance was something I came up with in the shower one day, and it really does make me feel better time and time again. Last week (and still even today) I unfortunately came down with some sort of illness. Despite wanting to run around and play all over Milano, I knew as much as it wouldn’t be fun, I would have to slow down and rest. I am slowly but surely getting better, which is good! But that too is the thing about study abroad, some things are just out of your control. One instance is weather, like when we planned our day trip to Switzerland, and it rained. Another instance is illness, you really cannot control when you get sick. So I had to embark on a journey to Rome this weekend besides battling sickness. Which is why when life inevitably gives you lemons, drink that lemonade in Europe!

Mass in the Vatican City with the Pope!

I really was a champ through it all, if I do say so myself. Our first day in Rome, I had only slept for two hours, and I was sick but that didn’t stop me from seeing this truly magnificent city. I never realized how touristy Rome is. It seemed scary to me that I spoke more Italian then most people we met along the way. This meant when we tried to ask people for directions they were unable to help. When studying abroad you really need to pool any and every resource at your disposal, I’ve needed to do this pretty much everyday and traveling is no exception. My roommate and I were constantly running around, trying to make the most of our time in Rome. This was also my first weekend trip which required a flight. The weekend was exhausting to say the least! However, it really was quite a trip!

I do have to go back to Rome someday though when the Trevi Fountain isn’t under renovation. Although I knew it was under renovation, it still was such a disappointment to be in Rome but unable to experience it in its glory. I did throw my coin in the fountain regardless though, so let’s hope there is still enough magic in the fountain for my wish to come true!

Roomies at the Trevi Fountain

I am learning more and more with each trip I take. I have never had to independently plan trips of such stature before. The only way to learn how to plan a trip is by actually planning one. The example that comes to mind was when my friends and I embarked on a journey to Lugano, Switzerland and didn’t really plan what we wanted to do when we got there. Luckily Lugano is beautiful (despite the rain that didn’t rain on our parade). But we got there and it was kind of like now what? With trips that are as brief as these are, it is essential to make the most of your short time there. Which is why I vowed to make the most of the next trip I took, by actually figuring out what I wanted to do. So when it came time for Rome, my roommate and I were true gems and spent days planning, researching, and just sort of getting our lives together.

Wouldn’t be a trip in Italy without Gelato!

However, when it came time to actually do the things we planned we hit some bumps along the way. So my next tip for all of you readers, but more importantly for myself is: look at closing times! Not once, but twice, we had made it all the way to our destination to find our locations closed! I am a born and raised NYC girl who is used to everything being open all the time. But hey, you learn the hard way. Now I know for my next trip!

Panorama of the Palatine Hill

Fortunately for us both scenarios ended up working in our favor. One place that wasn’t open was a pizza place. Oh well, we just ate somewhere else. I actually had grilled chicken because everything in Italy is so carb infused. As much as I do love carbs, it was a blissful experience to give my body some simple protein. As for the other closed experience, my roommate, Ashley and I had planned on taking a free walking tour of Rome, which would end outside of the Colosseum, basically the biggest MUST see in Rome. Well when we arrived after our walking tour, the colosseum was closed… However, Ashley and I rallied on. We did not give up! Besides this being a must see of Rome, we had also already purchased tickets online. So we woke up extra early our last day in Rome, and went straight from the Colosseum to the airport! It was definitely tiresome, but beyond worth it. We saw so much in our short time in Rome. But, the colosseum was my favorite thing we saw in Rome. It is just so magnificent to be there. It was so breathtaking, I can’t even really describe it. I am so glad we made it there. I can officially mark it off my checklist of the seven wonders of the world!

The Colosseum!

Alas like all good things, Rome too had to come to an end. But I hope to someday be back, if for nothing else but to have a clear of construction, Lizzy McGuire moment at the Trevi Fountain! Till next time, thanks for reading!

Tamara

As seen in our airbnb