Rome

From the top: In front of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, the Colosseum, sitting at the top of the Spanish Steps, in front of the Trevi Fountain.

Rome was the last stop on our week tour of Italy. We got in sort of late, so Lisa and I just decided to go to a piazza and take a couple of pictures in front of a fountain. The next day, we got up early, and went to Vatican City. I hardly had to wait in line to get in the Vatican Museum. I saw the Hall of Maps, the Sistine Chapel, and many other rooms with amazing art. After walking around the Vatican for a while, we went to see the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. They were pretty packed with tourists, but it still was great to see them. We learned from our tour guide that the city of Rome gets a large amount of income from the coins collected from the Trevi.

The next day, we toured ancient Rome. We saw the Roman Forum, and the Colosseum. Again, I was just blown away how the hustle bustle of the city surrounds ancient architecture. It was phenomenal.

Gelato was a daily occurrance during our stay in Italy. The weather was great, and I would love to go back very soon!

Gardens of Villa La Pietra

Florence

From the top: Sneaking a picture of the David, classic picture in front of the leaning tower of Pisa, carosel in Piazza Repubblica, view of the Duomo from Piazza Michaelangelo, Ponte Vecchio.

Florence was really great. A couple of our friends are studying at NYU in Florence, so we had great tour guides to show us the ropes. We took day trips out from Florence to Siena and Pisa, which was really fun, and I got to take a touristy pushing against the tower picture. We went to a couple of restaurants that are friends had been raving about, and they did not disappoint! One of the places was called Il Latini, and when you go they don't even give you menus. We sat down, and out came dish after dish of family style Italian.

The courses:
1. Prosciutto and bread
2. Liver paté on a crostini and sauteed mushrooms on a crostini
3. Caprese Salad
4. Cheese Raviolo, Penne Bolognese, and a flat pasta with meat sauce. It came with a delicious bean soup
5. Platters of Chicken, Steak, and Pork with french fries
6. Ice Cream, Cream puffs, Kiwi-strawberry pie, and biscotti

It was phenomenal! All of us walked, or I should say waddled, out of the restaurant so full and so content.

One of the days, we went to Galleria Accademia to see David. We waited in line for 20 minutes, and when I went around the corner to the main atrium, I was stunned. The statue of David is 15 feet tall or so, and breath taking. He is perfect, and some say that Michaelangelo carved him to mirror himself.

After that we walked around the Duomo and took pictures, before heading up to NYU in Florence campus. We then proceeded to take a tour of Villa La Pietra, which is a villa that was bequeathed to NYU in 1994. It is an amazing Villa steeped in Renaissance art and history. The Acton family gave it to NYU on the condition that they would leave all the art and furniture in tact, and give tours to students and tourists. It had the most amazing gardens!

NYU in Florence is beautiful; however, I'm glad I'm not studying there, because I would probably gain some serious weight from all the delicious food.

Venice

From the top: View from Ponte di Realto, Ponte di Realto, Church in Piazza San Marco, Lisa and I in front of the water in front of our hostel.

Venice was absolutely beautiful! The city is built on water, and the canals are it's veins through out. The weather when we got into Venice was sunny, and warm. It was a huge change from the clouds of Prague. We walked around the Piazza San Marco, and roamed the paths along the canals. I couldn't help but think that everyone walking the streets must be tourists. How does one actually live and work in Venice?

My friends and I found a restaurant with decent prices and sat down for dinner. The pasta was amazing. This was just the beginning of delicious food.

Italia!

I'm heading off to Italy tomorrow! I'm very excited and will update as soon as I can! xoxoxo

Bears in Český Krumlov

Here are the bears that are outside of the castle. So cuddly! 

Český Krumlov

From the top: Lisa and I at the Eggenberg Brewery in front of beer storage tank, Eggenberg sign, the town of Cesky Krumlov from the castle, Jack, Lisa, and I in front of the castle, our hostel. 

NYU took a group of us on an overnight trip to the town of Cesky Krumlov which is three hours outside of Prague. It is the second highest tourist destination in Czech Republic beside Prague. The town was really beautiful despite cloudy weather. We took a tour of the castle which has around 300 rooms. 

The castle has a full, functional theater, masquerade ball room, and luxurious sleeping quarters. 

The best part about the castle was two bears guarded the entrance. Yep, the Czech know how to keep trespassers away.  Two bears were in large pastures by the entrance of the castle. Apparently they are brother and sister, but our guide said they were also mates. Interesting..... They looked very cuddly. 

The next day, we all went to the Eggenberg Beer Brewery. The brewery has been in operation since the Middle Ages. It was really cool. The brewery still makes part of their beer the exact same way it was made in the middle ages. It is an extensive process and takes about 3 weeks to make it the old war. On the other hand, it takes one week to make beer with modern technology. Our tour guide was a retired man in his 70's named Rostra. He speaks English, German, and Czech and leads tours on a daily basis. 

It was a great trip. If you ever make it to Cesky, make sure you come in the spring or summer. Our tour guide emphasized that the town is much more happening during the "on" season. 

Delicious Food!

From the top: Lisa's homemade bolognese sauce, my chicken saltimbocca with a vegetable rice  medley, salmon steak with roasted potatoes and sauteed vegetables.

Somewhere in between classes, homework, and free time, Lisa and I have stepped up our skills in the kitchen. We have been experimenting with many ingredients and recipes and the results have been glorious. Here is just a couple of our delicious dinners. Not pictured: a tasty chef salad with cranberriers, walnuts, feta, and mixed veggies and fajita type wrap with mixed vegetables. YUM-O!