Eat Your Way Through Florence

The food in Florence is arguably some of the best in the world. I have eaten my way around the city and am rarely disappointed. Having said that, there are some restaurants that stand out, and I would love to share those with you!

La Giostra (Borgo Pinti 12R, near Santa Croce)
An old restaurant with great ambiance owned by the Prince of Hapsburg, La Giostra is frequented by Hollywood stars visiting Florence. You are greeted at the door with a glass of prosecco to enjoy while looking at the pictures on the wall of their famous customers. The owner, an eclectic man who does not look like your typical prince, walks around wearing over 300 bracelets, one from each time he visits a country. He checks in at every table and gives recommendations. They are famous for their pear ravioli, but the artichoke ravioli is equally delicious. We have also ordered the Florentine steak, which is fantastic if you are willing to spend the money. It is really big and can be easily split among 3 people or between 2 hungry men. The wine list is extensive, and the waiters would be more than happy to suggest a good wine to go with your meal selection. Definitely make a reservation here and plan on it being a nice night out.

Acqua al 2 (Via della Vigna Vecchia 40, near Santa Croce)
With locations in Washington DC and San Diego, Florence boasts the original steak and pasta restaurant known for its blueberry steak. I know it sounds different, but this is a perfectly cooked steak with a deliciously unique blueberry sauce. Another favorite is the balsamic steak. If you are in the mood for pasta, the pumpkin pasta is a filling and very satisfying dish. For each course, the restaurant offers samplers, which is a great option if you want to try a little bit of everything. I would definitely recommend ordering the dessert sampler! The house wine on the table is good and will go well with the steaks. I would suggest making a reservation. 

La Bussola (Via Porta Rossa 58, between the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo)
This is the best pizza I have tried in Florence, and I have had some delicious pizza. They have an extensive menu, including things besides pizza, as well as options for pizza with wheat crust or ingredients only from Tuscany. My favorite pizzas are the four cheese (quatro formaggi) and the pear, honey, and walnut. As is typical in Italy, the pizzas are meant for one person, but if you have some leftover they will put it in a box. Also on the menu are beers brewed in Tuscany that are actually really interesting and good. Of course, you can also choose from a wide variety of wine by the bottle, half bottle, or glass. The waiters here are some of the nicest I have encountered while in Florence. If you want to eat at 8:00 on a Friday or Saturday night, try to make a reservation; otherwise, they will usually have a table.

 

Osteria Santo Spirito (Piazza Santo Spirito 19R)
This cute little restaurant in Piazza Santo Spirito was one of the first places I ate in Florence, and it has become a favorite of our group. It is on the opposite side of the river from the Duomo, near the Pitti Palace. Among all 27 TCU students, I'm pretty sure we have ordered everything on the menu. From the antipasta menu, order a plate of fresh goat cheese wrapped in cured beef for the table. I am not a fan of cured meat, but this is one of the best dishes I have had in Florence. Next, I would suggest ordering either the ribollita, a classic Tuscan vegetable soup, or the bean soup; ask for a half portion so you save room for pasta or meat. The truffle gnocchi is always a hit, but my personal favorite is the walnut ravioli. The risotto with zucchini and parmesan hearts is rich and another one of my top choices. Most of the pastas also come in a half portion, and I would recommend ordering that unless you are really hungry. The best part about this restaurant is the pricing; you could spend 12 Euro a person and get an appetizer, pasta, and wine. Make reservations here if you want to go after 8:00 at night.

Trattoria 4 Leoni (Via de Vellutini 1R, between Pitti Palace and Santo Spirito)
I went to this restaurant once toward the end of my time in Florence, and I wish I had discovered it earlier. It is on the opposite side of the Ponte Vecchio from the Duomo in a quaint little piazza. The menu is not the largest, but the selections all sound delicious. I ordered the pear and asparagus pasta and was so happy with my choice. For dessert, you must order the cheese cake; words cannot describe how good it was. The house wine was inexpensive and one of the best house wines I have tasted. I would recommend making a reservation; it is a popular place.

Salumeria Verdi aka Pino's (Via Verdi Giuseppe 36R, near Santa Croce)
This panini shop is a family affair; Pino makes the sandwiches, his wife makes the pasta, and his father-in-law runs the register. My favorite panini in Florence is the "Springtime" from here. People also love "La Bomba" and "Turkey Best." The ingredients are fresh and the bread is perfectly salty and toasted. Expect a line between 12-2 as it is a favorite of study abroad students and locals.

I Due Fratellini (Via de Crimatori 38, near Piazza della Signoria)
Another good bet for one of the best paninis in Florence is this local treasure. This is literally a hole in the wall; you walk up to a counter, order your panini and glass of wine (for about 5 Euros total), and then stand on the street and enjoy! This is the perfect place for an inexpensive and quick lunch if you are trying to fit all of Florence into one or two days.


Some other tips about dining in Florence

1. Order wine. Order wine from Chianti. It is part of the culture and an important piece of the Italian experience.
2. Order a Tuscan meal at least once. Italian food is diverse and the specialties vary depending on where you are in the country. Florentine steak, anything with truffle, and ribollita are three good options.
3. Waiters at Florentine restaurants (and most restaurants around Europe) are paid above minimum wage and therefore are not concerned with turning tables. If you want your check, you have to ask for it and then expect a little while before you actually get it. 
4. Dining in Italian culture is an experience. Food is meant to bring people together. Enjoy this part of the culture and spend two to three hours at dinner one night. 
5. If the check lists a "coperto" or you are charged for bread, this counts as a cover charge and you are not expected to tip. If nothing is listed, some waiters will want a tip, but it is still not necessary.

Happy eating!

Back in the Big D

Hey Y’all! Man does it feels good to say that! I have been home for about a month now, and I have enjoyed being back in the great state of Texas. Life has been crazy, but I have a feeling once things settle down I will start missing the care-free life of this past semester.

I returned home to a week full of graduation festivities for my little brother; congratulations on graduating, Will! I am so proud of your accomplishments, and I know you will make a great Longhorn. Go Frogs! 

The family before Jesuit graduation

 

There were 18 people supporting Will at his graduation. The night before, I made an Italian meal for 15 of those wonderful family members. I made an appetizer that I learned in my cooking class and then had to cook for my final exam and a pasta dish we liked to make in the apartment a lot (ask me for the recipes!). We also enjoyed some of the Italian wine I brought home. I loved getting to share a piece of my Italian life with my family.

I started my full-time internship in Human Resources at Texas Capital Bank this past week. The words “full-time” are a little bit scary; I will miss the ability to hop on a plane and jet off to Portugal for a long weekend. However, I know that the fantasy world of study abroad can’t last forever. So for now, I will cherish my memories and look forward to a day when I can return to Europe.

Florence will always hold a special place in my heart

 

I will admit that I don’t find myself missing walking to class among tour groups while puffs of smoke are being blown in my face. I really wish Europe would recognize the harm of cigarette smoking. But you must take the bad with the good; and the good, in this case, far outweighed the bad!

Florence really is a beautiful city

Reflecting on this past semester, I can officially say that studying abroad was one of the best decisions I made during my college years. I am a Texas-loving, sweet-tea drinking homebody to the core. Choosing to live in a foreign country for four months was a leap of faith. I truly did not know how I would fare so far from the comforts of the TCU bubble and a 10-hour flight from my family instead of my typical 45-minute drive.

I am proud to say that I made it through and I am stronger and more independent than ever. I think the biggest skill I gained during these four months was emotional independence. I have always been one to do things on my own, but when it came to emotional ups and downs, I was dependent on my sweet Mom for support. Living thousands of miles and many time zones away, I was forced to become my own support system when dealing with the little curve balls life throws you. It was difficult at times, but also empowering. 

I loved getting the opportunity to know these wonderful ladies

 

That paragraph makes it sound like my semester abroad was a semester of dramatic emotions; and while there certainly were difficult times, we also had a lot of fun! I am so grateful for the friendships I made, and for the existing ones that were strengthened. The 26 other TCU students traveling with me are special people and I was blessed with the opportunity to get to know them. The memories with these 23 girls and 3 boys will last a lifetime. 

The TCU gang

 

Here are my top 10 memories of the semester:

1. Carnival in Venice: we had quite the adventure sneaking onto a train in an attempt to return to Florence, but the 24-hour blitz in Venice was so much more than that little hiccup in the plans.

2. Blizzard in Lake Como: Mom and I were disappointed to arrive in Lake Como and find a blizzard, but we got over it because we were just happy to be together.

3. Switzerland: such a relaxing yet action-packed weekend with one of my best friends, Julie.

4. Zeta Invasion of Florence: the week that my sorority sisters visited was by far the week with the most adventures. From a break in to lost luggage to late nights out in Florence, we saw it all and had fun the whole time! 

5. Spring Break: taking a bus wasn’t the most glamorous transportation, but it was worth it to see Prague, Berlin, and Amsterdam in 7 days. Plus, I got to spend it with some of my favorite people.

6. Amalfi Coast: this was by far the best weekend of my time in Florence. I have such special memories from what I think is the most beautiful place in Italy. I really hope to return someday soon.

7. High School Reunion in Portugal: getting to reunite with two of my dear Ursuline friends was fun, but getting to do it in Lisbon was even better.

8. Pajama Parties in the Apartment: four girls in their pajamas sitting around the dining room table was a common occurrence at our apartment. Sometimes wine was involved and often times other people were there too, but no matter what there was always laughter and joy. These simple times are really the ones I cherish the most.

9. Lunches and Dinners at Osteria Santo Spirito: the group was always different, but the food remained equally delicious each trip. I definitely crave the olive spread and walnut ravioli, and I can guarantee this will be my first stop when I return to Florence.

10. Wine Tastings: I was lucky enough to participate in 3 different wine tastings (plus my Pairing Food and Wine Class) and each one was informative and fun in their own way. There really is no such thing as too many tastings!   

 I am lucky to have met friends who turned into family

Before I end this saga of a blog post, I want to say thank you to my parents for encouraging me to study abroad and supporting my sometimes-expensive lifestyle while in Italy. Thank you to my brother for surviving a semester without me. Thank you to TCU for coordinating the program. Thank you to the people who experienced this with me; the memories listed above would be nothing without y’all! 

Many Hugs,

Sarah 

My Last Weekend Trip: Lisbon, Portugal

Hola (one of the few Portuguese words that's the same as Spanish),

The weekend of April 26th-29th I went on one last trip before buckling down to write papers and study for finals. Two of my friends from high school and I decided to have a mini reunion in Portugal.

With Marti and Katy preparing for Ursuline graduation in 2010

Day 1:
Friday afternoon we met in Lisbon and headed to our hostel, Yes! Hostel. The hostel is ranked high on hostelworld.com and it definitely lived up to its rating. The location was ideal and the staff went above and beyond to make our stay at the hostel comfortable and our time in Lisbon enjoyable. The rooms were clean and there was a nice lobby and bar area to relax after a long day of sightseeing. An added bonus was that a "stag" party (bachelor party) from Ireland and England was staying in the hostel and provided quite a bit of entertainment.

The lobby of Yes! Hostel. 

Picture taken from Google Images

After checking in we walked around the city to see some of the main squares that would not be included on the complementary walking tour the next morning. We stopped along the way to buy some fresh strawberries from a street vendor.

Yummy strawberries

Lisbon really reminds me of a South American city. The architecture is old but not the typical Renaissance and Gothic style seen in many European cities. It is also a very hilly place, which was a nice change from flat Florence.

 A main square in Lisbon

Streets of Lisbon

We passed a Mexican bar while walking around and decided margaritas would be the best way to start off a weekend at the beach! I must say, Portuguese margaritas have nothing on Texas ones.
We got a little lost and Marti spotted a group of young (about 13 years old) children. She asked them if they spoke English and then had them give us directions. In classic Marti form, she continued the conversation and made friends. It turns out, the children attend a ballet school in Portugal but come from all over the world. Their English was impeccable; they also spoke French, Portuguese, and a couple other languages. They loved that we are from Texas and asked the typical questions: do you ride a horse, are you a cowgirl, etc. After saying goodbye we headed off in search of the restaurant.
We had dinner at O Cabacac, a restaurant recommended by the hostel. Katy and Marti ordered steak on the stone and I went with steak in a mustard sauce. Another welcome difference from Italy was all of the meat in Portuguese food. Steak on the stone is a traditional dish where a raw piece of steak is served with a hot stone; the customer is able to cook the steak to his or her liking. When we left the restaurant we saw many locals waiting for a table; being popular with the locals is always a good sign.
We headed back to the hostel to rest and get ready to go out for the night. After a nap, I climbed down from the top bunk, missed a step, fell to the floor, and landed at a weird angle on my ankle. It immediately swelled up and my sweet friends went into panic mode. They brought me ice and figured out the closest clinic in case I wanted to see a doctor. Interesting fact: if I had chosen to get it checked out, I would have had to visit the British hospital because a Portuguese one would not treat me. The people at the hostel explained that this is because of socialized medicine. I called Katy's mom who is a nurse and, after telling her everything, we decided I should wait and see how it felt in the morning. The night ended with some excitement, just not the kind we had in mind.

Day 2:
The next morning I woke up with a swollen and bruised ankle that I could put pressure on (good news!). Katy and Marti went on a complementary walking tour offered by the hostel. I stayed in, iced my ankle, and caught up on some school work.
When the walking tour was over we took a train to Cascais, an old fishing village with small beaches about 40 minutes away. We sat outside to enjoy a delicious lunch of omelets (a common lunch and dinner food in Portugal) and a pitcher of Sangria before going down to the beach. Once we got to the beach we stayed for a while and enjoyed watching the local teenagers play guitar and bum around.

A beach in Cascais

We took the train back to the hostel to grab some dinner and get ready before heading out for the night. My ankle did not last long on the hills, so we went in early in preparation of a long day the next day.

Day 3:
We woke up early and ready to conquer our last day in Portugal. The day started on a short train ride to the nearby community of Belem. Belem is famous for the Torre de Belem, a defense tower commissioned by King John II dating back to the early 1500s that is now a UNESCO Heritage Site.

With Marti in front of the Torre de Belem

Also in the area is a monastery originally built by Henry the Navigator to support pilgrims traveling in the area. This is also a UNESCO Heritage Site as well as a national monument.

With Marti and Katy in front of the monastery

While both of these sites were beautiful pieces of architecture and history, I must say my favorite stop was at a pastry shop, Pasteis de Belem. This is a famous bakery known for delicious egg-based pastries called pasteis de nata. The line out the door made us excited for this treat, and it definitely lived up to the hype. Add a little cinnamon or powdered sugar on top and savor every bite!

A must if you are ever in Lisbon

After a morning in Belem, we took the train back to the marina to board a sailboat for an afternoon cruise around the harbor. For two hours, we enjoyed champagne, smoked salmon, and a private tour of the Portuguese coast. Our skipper, Luis, did a great job navigating the rough seas on a very windy day and the deckhand was catering to our every need (we were spoiled!). This was absolutely my favorite part of the trip. It was so nice to relax, take in the views, and reminisce with wonderful friends.

With Katy and Marti in front of our boat, The Halcyon

Our deckhand, Andre, adjusting the sails

That night we packed up and went to bed at a reasonable time because we all had early flights the next morning. 

Visiting Portugal was something I had been wanting to do for a long time, and getting to experience its culture and beauty with two of my dear friends was so special. This was my last weekend trip, and I could not have picked a better one to end my semester of traveling! 

Portugal is an up-and-coming destination for European travelers and is still relatively inexpensive. Lisbon is a popular place for study abroad students, but I would recommend it to people of all ages and stages in life.

xoxo,

Sarah

Amalfi Coast

Ciao ciao!
This past weekend I went to the beautiful Amalfi Coast with Julie, Janette, Ellen, and Trey. We stayed at Esperidi Resort in Sorrento and it was a wonderful break from the typical hostels we stay in. The five of us had our own bungalow that had a living area, bathroom, and kitchen. The hotel staff was really accommodating and helpful. The grounds were covered with lemon and orange trees and sweet white stucco villas. This is definitely a resort I would return to.

Day 1 (Capri):
We woke up early to leave for Capri at 7:15 in the morning. Mind you, we arrived to the hotel around 3:30 that morning, so we didn't have much time to sleep.  We took the ferry to Capri and immediately boarded smaller boats for a cruise around the island. The weather was perfect and they played music on the boat; it was a really fun and pretty ride. We made a stop at the Blue Grotto where we got in canoes and went inside. The Blue Grotto is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is truly amazing inside.

Inside the Blue Grotto

After our ride around the island was over, we walked up to the town of Capri. Capri is full of jewelry shops and designer stores; I had fun window shopping!

 The view from Capri

With Trey in Capri

With Julie and Ellen in Capri

After a short stop in Capri we took a bus up to Anacapri where we had lunch. Capri and Anacapri were favorite spots of Jackie O. In fact, I had a pair of sandals made at her favorite sandal shop in Anacapri. I got to watch the shoemaker make my sandals. We also did a lemoncello tasting and a chocolate tasting. I was a happy happy girl!

The shoemaker's workshop

We grabbed some gelato before getting on the chairlift to go to the top of Anacapri. The ride was beautiful but not as pretty as the view from the top. We stood above the clouds and looked out at open waters on one side and the Amalfi Coast on the other. After taking in the sights and buying a few postcards, we grabbed a convertible taxi to take us back to the port.

The roommates in Anacapri

View from the top of Anacapri

That night we ordered in pizza to the hotel and played cards. We were tired after a long day and two hours of sleep! 

Day 2 (Positano):
Our day in Positano was a nice relaxing beach day. We stayed on the beach all day except to get sandwiches at a yummy shop called Vini and Panini. It was wonderful to have a day with no agenda. I finally have some color and feel ready for summer! 
That night back in Sorrento we had delicious seafood at a restaurant near the hotel. The seafood on the coast was to die for and a much-needed change from our all carb diet here in Florence.

On the way home from the Amalfi Coast we stopped in Pompeii for a tour of the ruins and lunch. It was an interesting and educating end to a relaxing, beachy weekend!

Later today I will head out for my final weekend trip. This time I am going to Portugal!

Off to pack!

Sarah

One Month!

Ciao!

In exactly one month I will be back in the land of Mexican food, southern accents, and big trucks! I really am so excited to get home to lazy days on the boat with my family and friends.

In the mean time, I have some fun stuff coming up!
Tonight we (Julie, Janette, Ellen, Trey, and I) leave for the Amalfi Coast. My family and I were there 6 years ago and fell in love with it. I absolutely cannot wait to get back. We are staying in Sorrento but will also visit Capri, Positano, and Pompeii. I look forward to lazy days by the pool enjoying the gorgeous views. Check back for a post with beautiful pictures!

Next weekend I am going to Lisbon, Portugal with two of my good friends from high school. Katy was my tennis partner and is studying at Oxford in London (she's a smarty-pants). Marti and I have been close friends for about 4 years now; she never fails to provide the entertainment. I haven't been to Portugal, so I can't wait to add another country to the list! I have a feeling the blog post about Portugal will be just as pretty as the one from Amalfi.

Lastly, to my fellow Texans: stick together during this tragedy in West, Texas. If any state can handle a disaster, it is Texas. I woke up to a status on Facebook from one of my best friends, Meridith, encouraging people to give blood as she had. Texans really know how to take care of one another. I am sure that, like Meridith, everyone at home is doing what they can to provide for those in need.

Texas Forever,
Sarah

God Bless the USA

Get ready for a very patriotic post:

If living in a foreign country has taught me anything, it is how much I love the United States and how proud I am to be an American. Yes, Italy has good food, a lengthy history, and a rich culture; however, the people do not have the intense pride of country that you find in the US.
Last night (Italian time), I sat glued to my computer watching the events at the famous Boston Marathon unfold. My roommates and I were horrified that someone would, once again, dare to attack the people of the USA. I began to wonder, "are we being extra patriotic because we are thousands of miles away, or is this really what America is all about?"
As I followed the reactions on Twitter and Facebook, I grew increasingly confident that American citizens are loyal in a way no other nation can claim. The response to this act of terror made me all the more proud of my country and the people who live there. The way we unite during times of crisis is truly unique. People from the north, south, east, and west put aside differences to provide aid for those injured. No distinction is made among religions, races, or demographics; we ban together in support of our fellow Americans who have been harmed.
Tragic events help us realize what is really important versus what is a trivial matter in life. Watching a terrorist attack occur on my country while living thousands of miles away made me realize how grateful I am to be from the United States. I am well aware that we live in constant fear of a terrorist attack. But I also know that when someone does inflict pain and suffering on our country, we unite and fight those who dare to challenge us. 
The United States is not perfect. But despite our own issues and conflicts, we are still the most patriotic country in the world. We stand united against people who believe they can shake our country and all for which we stand.
Nothing can be said to give true comfort to those affected by the attacks in Boston; all I pray is that we are able to put differences aside and focus on recovery and future prevention efforts.
When you count your blessings at night, thank the Good Lord you live in the United States.

Love to all,
Sarah

A Very European Spring Break

Ciao!
I am back in Florence after a cold and busy but perfect spring break. Bus2Alps has a trip called "The Northern Loop" that is 10 days exploring Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Paris. This was too great of a trip to pass up, so Julie, Laura, Christina, Trey, and I booked it and counted down the days till our ultimate European vacation. Thursday, March 21st, after a stressful week of midterms, we boarded the bus for a 12 hour drive to Prague. The bus ride was overnight, so we were able to sleep a little and be ready to go when we got there in the morning.

Day 1 (Prague):
We arrived in Prague in the morning and had time to check into the hostel and eat some breakfast before heading out on the walking tour. The hostel in Prague was new and clean. The downside was that we were in a room with 12 people, so it got messy very quickly.
The walking tour was three hours through the cold but beautiful and historical city. The architecture at Disney World is modeled after the architecture in Prague. Besides the incredible buildings, I really enjoyed hearing about the history of this eastern European country. Our tour guide told us that his girlfriend's grandmother has lived in the same neighborhood in Prague for her whole life and has lived in nine different countries. The regime of the Czech Republic has changed so many times throughout its volatile history.

When the tour ended we needed to get inside to defrost, so we went to a classic Czech restaurant that our tour guide suggested for some Czech beer and goulash. After satisfying our hunger and warming up a bit, we ventured outside to trek back to the hostel. This was our first time navigating the public transportation without a guide. Everything went smoothly, but keep reading...
We took our time getting ready for the night before meeting some more Bus2Alps people for a Prague Pub Crawl. The first pub was really fun; it had a live band and was decorated with Cold War propaganda posters. I walked around studying each poster like I was in a museum. The second pub was not what we were expecting. After realizing it was a long walk to the third pub and agreeing that we were tired and not willing to brave the cold, the five of us hopped in a cab to retire to the hostel. I know, we're lame; but, we really wanted to be able to experience each city fully without being tired the whole time. We can always go back and partake in the nightlife.

Day 2 (Prague):
We woke up and ate the typical hostel breakfast: yogurt, granola, bread, and meat. After breakfast we walked to the city center to go on a tour of the Prague castle. We stood outside for a long time while the tour guide droned on about a myriad of random things. About ten minutes into it, we decided we were cold and not too impressed with the tour guide, so we went off on our own. Before going into the castle, we stopped at an old monastery brewery that has been brewing beer for something like 800 years.

With Trey before the castle tour.

My attempt at staying warm. It helped a little bit.

After a break from the cold, we walked around the castle and took pictures with the guards.

Gorgeous views from the castle.

 Classic picture with the guard.

Once we had a good feel for the castle, we walked back into town to see the Charles Bridge and the Lennon Wall. The Charles Bridge is a famous pedestrian bridge built by King Charles IV in the 14th century that connects the castle with the town. The Lennon Wall is a wall that has been covered in mostly John Lennon-inspired graffiti since the 1980s. During the time of communism, young Czechs would share their grievances through graffiti on this wall. The group that owns this wall, the Knights of Malta, allow the graffiti to continue.

"I get by with a little help from my friends."

One of the best parts of Prague was Starbucks. We loved stopping in for some hot coffee and a taste of home! After taking a break and enjoying some American coffee, we went to a great dinner for our last night in Prague. Feeling very confident with our public transportation skills, we hopped on a tram back to the hostel. We didn't know the name of the stop to get off on but said "oh we'll just recognize it." We were wrong. About 30 minutes later we realized we were in the suburbs of Prague instead of our hostel. Everything worked out though; we got off and got on a tram going the other way. The second time around we got off at the right stop. Oh the adventures we encounter in foreign countries!

Day 3 (Berlin):
The bus to Berlin left Prague around nine in the morning, and we arrived in Berlin that afternoon. Once again we were in a crowded hostel room, but only for one night so it was okay. The five of us went down to the lobby bar to use wifi and make plans for the rest of the day; while we were sitting there, three of our friends (Hayley, Bailey, and Austin) who were also in Berlin showed up to the hostel. We sat in the hostel for a while and shared stories of our adventures thus far before heading over to Hofbrauhaus for dinner. Following dinner, we went to bed early to be ready for a long day of exploring Berlin.

Enjoying the beer hall

Day 4 (Berlin):

Day 4 was devoted to touring the city. It started early in the morning with a three hour walking tour around Berlin. We saw the Berlin Wall, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Checkpoint Charlie, the place where Hitler committed suicide, and much more. World War II history is my favorite subject to study, so I loved this tour. The Berlin Wall was not as tall or intimidating as I expected. The Memorial to Murdered Jews of Europe is truly a work of art. It is a great memorial with a lot of meaning. I wish we were able to go into the Jewish Museum but it was closed. I was most excited to see Checkpoint Charlie and of course it was the biggest disappointment. The real checkpoint is no longer there, and our tour guide didn't take us to see the replica close up. I bought a postcard with a picture of the original Checkpoint Charlie on it, so that will just have to be good enough. The bunker where Hitler committed suicide is under an inconspicuous dirt parking lot. Berlin is very focused on diverting attention from the shameful past of the Nazi regime. The parking lot has a small sign but nothing more.

The Memorial to Murdered Jews of Europe

The Berlin Wall

Checkpoint Charlie

The tour ended and we went to a restaurant suggested by our tour guide. I am pretty sure we all had the beginning stages of frost bite, so we speed walked to the heat. A long lunch was necessary to warm up before walking the 30 minutes back to the hostel.
That night a big group of Bus2Alps people went to dinner at a classic German restaurant before the buses left for the overnight trip to Amsterdam.
Berlin was my least favorite city we visited. I am very glad I went, but I would not be upset if I never return. It was modern and updated (because all of the buildings were flattened during WWII) and therefore lacked the German charm I was hoping for.

Day 5 (Amsterdam):
We arrived in Amsterdam around five in the morning and made a beeline to the room to take a nap. This was the best hostel, mostly because we had one room just for the five of us with our own bathroom.
We woke up later that morning for a walking tour of Amsterdam, and I fell in love with the city. The architecture lining the canals is beautiful. We went through the Red Light District, walked through some museums, and ended at the Anne Frank House. The Red Light District is fascinating, sad, and disturbing all at the same time. There is a lot of art in Amsterdam, so I enjoyed viewing some of it in the museums. We only stood outside the Anne Frank House before promising to return to the museum when the line was shorter.

The Anne Frank House

 I loved the canals.

Our tour guide took the five of us to a great restaurant for classic Dutch food. I don't remember what we ate, but it was delicious! After lunch we went to explore some of the places our tour guide suggested, including a great Belgian fries place on the street. We went to bed early in anticipation of a busy day ahead.

With Julie and Christina at lunch

Day 6 (Amsterdam):
We woke up rested and ready to take on the day. Our first stop was the Van Gogh museum. I have always enjoyed Van Gogh's works, so seeing them in person was incredible. This museum is in my top five museums I have visited.
After the Van Gogh museum, we walked over to the Heineken museum for the "Heineken Experience." The museum was very interactive and even included a 3D experience where they "brewed" us as if we were the beer. It helped us learn each step involved. After learning about how the beer is made, we entered into lounge areas with huge TVs playing Heineken commercials. An added bonus was the free beer. This is a definite must if you ever go to Amsterdam!

Typical tourist picture

The five of us had a great time together!

Laura, Trey, Me, Julie drinking our free beers.

Christina, Me, Laura, Julie watching Heineken commercials.

When we finished at the Heineken museum, we asked someone who works there where to go to lunch (always ask locals about their favorite spots). We ended up at a Spanish restaurant with delicious sandwiches. After a long lunch, we headed out to walk around and enjoy the sunshine.

Day 7 (Amsterdam-Florence):
The Bus2Alps group headed out early in the morning for the bus ride to Paris. I got to sleep in and shop some before going to the airport to catch a flight back to Florence to meet my family.

Family Time:
My family and I had a great time together. We spent most of our time shopping in Florence; I was impressed how good of a shopper my brother is! We went to Easter service at an Anglican church close to the apartment followed by brunch at a rooftop restaurant.

The Brown Family on Easter

Later that day we hiked up to Piazzale Michelangelo with Julie and Trey and enjoyed some wine and the views.

Will, Julie, Me, Trey at Piazzale Michelangelo

On Monday, we went to the nearby coastal area known as Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is made up of 5 towns along the western coast. Typically, people hike between each town, but my family was a little crippled (Will just had shoulder surgery and Dad had a stress fracture), so we had someone drive us to the different towns. It was really pretty, but I don't think we got the full effect because it was rainy most of the day. The day ended beautifully with a lunch on the water just as the sun came out. 

The Brown Family in Cinque Terre

 I love her!

Climbing up the rocks. 

With my little crippled Bubs.

I had been missing my family and needed that time with them. The four of us always have a great time together, and their time in Florence was no exception. I count my blessings every day that I have such a supportive, close family. I love you Momma, Daddy, and Bubs! Miss you and can't wait to see you in five weeks!

Spring break 2013 was certainly one for the books! I got to see three cities I had not been to before and was able to spend quality time with my family. I am still recovering and catching up on sleep, but it was worth it. 

I really am truly lucky to be living here for the semester, traveling around Europe, and learning to be more independent. I have had ups and downs and I am definitely missing Texas quite a bit, but I could not be more grateful for this opportunity. 

Love to all! Sorry this post was so delayed. 

Sarah