Travel Tip: Spend a Weekend in a Lesser-Known City

Most travelers are familiar with Italian cities such as Milan, Rome, and Naples. These are the cities with miraculous views, endless activities, and waves of interesting people. These are the “must see” cities, but they are not the only places to find adventure. After studying abroad in Italy, I would suggest visiting small, discrete places. Whether you visit for a day or a weekend, you never know what you may find. My friends and I spent a weekend in Padua, Italy, which (despite its many attractions) often goes unnoticed by the majority. After three train rides and a lot of confusion, we started to regret our decision to travel to this city. Upon our arrival, we were worried that Padua would be a disappointment, but despite our concerns, we ended up discovering the Arena Chapel, the Botanical Garden of Padova, and streets filled with restaurants and boutiques. I think going somewhere different offers a unique experience, something you'll never forget. As much as I loved Florence, Venice, and Milan, these cities tend to be overcrowded. With the tourist menus and English signs everywhere, you can sometimes miss the more authentic side of the country. The best advice is to go explore somewhere new. The risk is worth it.

 

By: Courtney Merolle, FSUIP Alumna

Retrospective Realizations

As I sit in the airport waiting to head home, I keep thinking about some of the things I learned while I was on my study abroad program, some of which may be helpful to others. One suggestion I have for those traveling is to keep a journal. I have a terrible memory, so I invested in a leather journal my first day in Florence, Italy and recorded all of my adventures. Without this journal, in just a few years I would forget many memories of Italy. With the same idea in mind, I also relied on the app Day One. This app is a photo journal that records the date, location and time a picture was taken, as

well as allowing you type a comment about the picture. Little things like this will help you keep track of all the experiences you have traveling. Another important tip is to make the most of your time abroad. I know that sounds obvious, but after a few days you may think taking a long nap is no big deal or skipping a museum is fine. However, it’s important to remember that your time abroad is going to come to an end, and it usually comes much faster than expected. Don't try to pack everything in at the end of your stay. I advise you to spread it out and plan accordingly. If you're not a museum person, find other activities. I love coffee and found a class that taught you how to create coffee art. I wanted to see a performance, so my friends and I attended a ballet in Fiesole, a beautiful city only 20 minutes outside of Florence. There is always something to do in a foreign city, so don't spend too much time on homework or catching up on sleep. You'll regret not doing more in the end. 

 

Author: Courtney Merolle

A Postcard from Florence

Two Florida State University students, Jordan Park and Paige Granfield,  share how studying abroad with International Programs gave them the opportunity to explore the world and broaden their horizons in the realm of education and self-discovery. 

Can You Dig it? Archaeology in Tuscany

By Aaron Brown

The allure of Italy is well-known. Every year droves of tourists flock to her major cities – Rome, Florence, Venice – seeking to experience for themselves the country’s fabulous art, food, and fashion, to savor a few days of la dolce vita before moving on to their next destination. People travel to Italy to relax and enjoy themselves. They go for pleasure and are always surprised to hear my reason for going each summer: to perform strenuous manual labor under the Tuscan sun (don’t be misled by the book) and not get paid for doing any of it. Folks who don’t understand my motives sometimes think I’m crazy, but I go for the experience – the opportunity to dig in Italy. As a student of classical archaeology, what I’ve gained from excavating at FSU’s field school at Cetamura del Chianti has far exceeded any minor discomforts felt along the way. My time at Cetamura has been extremely rewarding, offering me a foundation in my field and opportunities to pursue my own research queries. 

After I tell someone that I dig in Italy and the person asks me if I do the same sort of thing as Indiana Jones (answer: not at all!), the next question is always, “Have you found anything interesting?” My first summer I found very little by way of artifacts aside from a pair of ca. 1980 sunglasses dropped by a lost German hiker. We did, however, observe a peculiar change in soil composition within my trench that year. Along one side of the unit, a curved cut had been made in the surrounding bedrock and filled in with a dense clay pack in antiquity. Given the semi-circular nature of the cut and the presence of the water-retaining clay, we hypothesized that a water containment structure might lie in the adjacent unit. I returned the following summer to investigate the neighboring area. What we found was a large, roughly circular stone-lined cistern or well! The cavity at the center of the structure had evidently been filled in with stones and discarded roof tile at some point (likely when it failed to adequately collect and/or store water), and this is where we focused our attentions that second summer. In order to get to the bottom of some of our most pressing questions – what was its precise function, when was it in use, who had access to its contents, etc. – we had to get to the bottom of the cavity!

The hypothesized cistern under excavation in 2011

The western portion of the structure, revealed in 2012

While we didn’t reach the bottom of the structure in 2011, we did learn a great deal about its form and method of construction. In the process of doing so, we also succeeded in expanding the map of Cetamura. Yet there were still so many unanswered questions. I had to return in 2012. My third summer I set to work uncovering an unexcavated corner of the structure. My goals were to complete a detailed map of the structure (that took into account the unexcavated portion), determine the extent of the clay pack observed in 2010, and see if we couldn’t come up with a better interpretation for its use at the site. In general we met these objectives. We completed the map of the structure and proved that the clay pack continued around all sides of the structure. There is now little doubt that the structure was designed for the provisioning of water. To clarify its relationship to the nearby sanctuary and site as a whole, more work will have to be done around and, especially, within the structure. For the time being, questions of access and usage will have to remain unclear. We also remain uncertain about the date of construction and time of infilling. The cavity at the center of the structure is likely to contain our best evidence for how it was used and when it was in operation. The work of future seasons will concentrate on the center of the structure.

Florentine Memories

By Kristen Wharton

My time abroad began in Florence, Italy. As an Art History major, this city captured my heart, mind, and soul. The quintessential Florentine streets lined with facades of rusticated stone were a constant thrill to meander through. In the winter especially, this city maintains much of its 16^th century charm. If the architecture itself wasn’t enough, the general ambiance of this city has the ability to transcend you to the time when the Medici family, Brunelleschi, Donatello, and Michelangelo roamed these very streets.

But Art History nerd in me aside, this city is truly breathtaking. I remember at the end of my first week in Florence I went for a run from our home on Via Romana down to the Ponte Vecchio and along the Arno, then up the hill to the stunning Romanesque basilica, San Minato al Monte. The road that sits right below the church, ropes around the hill to reveal the most wonderful panorama of the city. I was running along this road, literally watching this city reveal itself step by step under the “pre-sunset” sky. So captivated and entranced by the beauty of this city, I wanted to capture it and hold on to this moment forever. 

I decided to run home to grab my camera, hoping to make it back up to this spot to catch the sunset. Sprinting down the narrow streets, Italians staring at this clearly crazed foreigner, I quickly grabbed my camera and took back off towards my spot. So excited that I made it in time, I went to take my first shot…..only to find I had drained my battery while uploading pictures the night before. I just kind of gave an accepting smile, a bit humored by the fact that life always has a funny way of making the most memorable moments at a time when it is impossible to capture them in any other form but in your mind.I should know by now that putting a camera up to your face separates your eyes from your memory. Maybe it is best that instead of taking the picture with a machine, I captured it entirely naturally. A raw memory only for me.  

Here, I had found my sanctuary, a place of peace and clarity, of pure, uninhibited beauty. I had also just experienced something quite remarkable, almost like a physical burden being lifted off my shoulders, for it was at this moment that I allowed myself to let go.

The Trevi Fountain in Rome

Now, That’s Amore: A Culinary Love Affair

By Erin "Caterina" Heffernan

I went to Italy hoping to fall in love.  I wanted to find my future husband there.  Instead, I fell in love with a plate of pasta (and one of the world’s most beautiful cities).

I thought that I knew what to expect from Italian food: spaghetti, pizza, panini, mozzarella, etc but I could never have anticipated the love affair that would inevitably ensue.  From the beginning, I had moments of hesitation, but as I began to eat, I realized that I had nothing to fear.

This love began with a sandwich, a particular sandwich.  This sandwich is numero 9 from Antico Noè, a panino shop near FSU’s study center that serves some of the most delicious sandwiches I have ever eaten.  Turkey, onions, brie cheese, spicy sauce: in a word, magic.  My love for numero 9 was unrivalled by anything I had ever eaten previous to that point in my life.  That is, until I met numero 11: sausage, spinach, pecorino cheese: in a word, life-changing.    As I ate these sandwiches and walked around the beautiful city of Florence, I realized that I had never loved an item of food so much before.  My life had been changed forever and I thought that it could not possibly get better than it was at that moment.

Andrea, me and Luca in Antico Noè

I could never have guessed what fate had in store for me just around the corner, literally. 

There is a restaurant in Florence called Trattoria all’Anita.  It is just behind the Piazza della Signoria, one of Florence’s most historic squares.  Affectionately known to travelling Noles as Anita’s, this is a favorite of locals, travelers and foreign students alike.  It is here that I would first lay eyes upon the love of my life, a little dish called tortellini alla norcina.  Tortellini, sausage, tomatoes, truffle cream: in a word, everything that is good about life.  I guess you could say that it was love at first bite (pun absolutely intended).  One day, I tasted some tortellini from a friend’s plate by chance, and was so smitten that I returned to the same restaurant the next night.  I needed a whole plate of this pasta for myself, sharing was simply not an option.

Tortellini alla norcina—the goodness can just not be conveyed in a photo

As I finished the plate, Nicola, one of the waiters, walked by to ask how everything was.  I looked up at him and, without hesitation or irony, said:

           

            “C’è un posto riservato in Paradiso per il cuoco di questo piatto.”

           

            “There’s a special place in Heaven for the cook of this meal.” 

Gianni, me, Nicola, and Maurizio; the brothers who own Anita’s

This is what the plate looked like after eating norcina.

He laughed and called his brothers over so that I could tell them what I had said and everyone laughed.  Honestly, I don’t know what came over me at that moment. I was just so overcome with emotion.  It was a sublime, divine, experience; something that I only imagine could be compared to falling in love or a divine revelation.  From that day on, the brothers at Anita’s always brought me tortellini alla norcina, without even asking.  They understand that there is only one dish in the world for me.

Believe me when I say, the churches in Italy are beautiful, but if you are looking for a religious experience, you should try searching the restaurants in addition to the cathedrals. 

First Year Abroad in Florence

By Christine Lacayo

My freshman year of college I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy, for an entire year. Because of this memorable experience, I now work for International Programs to help give students the same opportunity I had.

I was originally going to be a South Carolina Game Cock but once I received a letter in the mail from Florida State stating that I could go abroad for my freshman year and receive in-state tuition upon returning to FSU, I forgot all about being a Game Cock and starting thinking about where life outside of America would take me.

Me with Friends in Arno

Here are only a handful of memories, nights, and friends I met that I miss everyday:

I miss getting lost in a beautiful city, I miss trying to figure out the word for ice for a swollen ankle and then realizing they don't sell ice in Italy, I miss eating gelato everyday and going to Venice 5 times, I miss going out and meeting Italians with my best friends Ina and Annelle, mi mancano Valeri e Gordon, I miss hearing "ciao bella" when I walk down the streets and meeting a guy named Matteo, I miss hearing that obnoxious ambulance siren every 20 minutes, I miss waking up to church bells and tuna and apple pasta picnics on the Arno, I miss walking down abbey road and meeting interesting British boys on the metro, I miss sleeping on a 16 hour bus ride to Prague, I miss getting stuck in a mini bus for half an hour because the Swiss snow was too intense for those tires, I miss getting hit on by a crêpe vendor, I miss being cordially escorted by Parisian policemen to my hotel and visiting Jim Morrison’s tomb at the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise. I miss that life. My only regrets are for calling it a night too soon.

Living and studying in Italy as a freshman allowed me to mature in so many ways. I lived in the cradle of the world’s greatest art, which helped me gain an appreciation for Art History and Architecture that I never would have expected. I realized I wasn’t just a car ride away from home: I was on another continent and I had to become more independent. I traveled to many beach towns near Florence on my own, like Cinque Terre, which stands for “Five Lands.” These five villages on the Italian Riviera coast are located about two and half to three and half hours from Florence. While changing trains about three to four times, I remember getting on the wrong trains and getting lost, but that is how you learn that missing trains and getting lost in a foreign city is what traveling is all about.

Michelangelo's Tomb with Statues

Studying in Italy for an entire year, straight out of high school, helped me grow into a more global citizen. I learned I could integrate within different cultures easily, I could adapt to cultural differences quickly, I learned to modify my behaviors in ways that were more appropriate with the Italian culture, and I learned to interpret different behaviors and values that I was unfamiliar with before traveling to Italy.

Venice with my Mom

Upon returning to Tallahassee, students like the idea of having “two freshman years.” When I came back to FSU I had already established my group of friends in Italy that were like family to me. Many of them were older so they helped me get acclimated to the FSU campus. Going abroad as a freshman was a great way to transition from a high school student into the college life, and I believe everyone should have the opportunity to study abroad as early as possible.

Restaurant Suggestions in Florence

By Christine Lacayo

Although all programs in Florence provide meal tickets for most days of the week, I enjoyed eating at some of the other local restaurants. Below are some of my favorites.

Il Gatto e La Volpe- Via Ghibellina 151/r. This great Osteria serves big portions for very cheap prices. The breadsticks here are to die for and it has some of the best tasting pasta and pizza. Many American students come eat here and, apart from the food, students always return only because the friendly waiters make your evening so much more enjoyable.


Trattoria Anita- Via del Parlascio 2/r. The three brothers who own this little trattoria are very sociable and love for you to practice your Italian with them! They are open for dinner as well as lunch and they have a fantastic lunch menu. My favorite antipasto here was the bruschetta.


Gusta Pizza and Gusta Panino- Via Maggio 46. This restaurant is on the other side of the river. You should definitely venture out to Gusta Pizza because they serve the best pizza you will ever try!  Gusta Panino is right next to the pizza place and they serve delicious pastas and salads.


La Loggia degli Albizi- This little café serves great pastries, coffee, cappuccinos and lunch as well! Located a few doors down from the study center.


Antico Noe- Volta di San Piero 6/r. Located right around the corner from the study center. Here you can get the best panini you will ever try! There are about 16 or 17 different panini and they all taste amazing! You stand in line and there is menu of all of the different panini, feel free to make up your own! Try to go straight from class the line gets long quickly during lunch hours.