Fiesole

Fiesole is a simply stunning town resting right above Firenze in the scenic Tuscan hills, making it the perfect place in the summer to venture for a day trip from Firenze. Grab a bus ticket available at most tabaccherie or the train station for around 1.50 € for the round trip, then head to Piazza San Marco and look out for bus # 7. The bus generally runs about every thirty minutes and takes about twenty minutes to get up to Fiesole.

While Fiesole may be small it contains many sights to see: the Piazza Mino da Fiesole (Cathedral of Fiesole), Piazza San Francesco (The Church and Convent of San Francesco), or The Archaeological Museum. Then after a long day of adventures, grab a table at one of Fiesole’s restaurants like Villa San Michele, Vinandro, or La Reggia degli Etruschi and eat while watching a panoramic view of the sunset on the Tuscan Hills. Keep in mind, the buses do stop running around eight or nine in the nighttime. --Caleigh Williams

parole utili: la collina: the hill; prendere l'autobus: take the bus; la vista: the view

La moda

Two times a year the latest styles of clothes and accessories are debuted at fashion week in the fashion capitals of the world: New York, London, Paris, and, most important to this program, Milan. At these shows (one for the fall and winter looks and one for the spring and summer) designers showcase what is going to be the next big thing that will eventually become noticeable in the styles worn by many average Italians.

            What is in fashion today in Italy is very different from that in America. Though jeans are becoming more widely accepted across Italia, it is still not the norm to wear them regularly. Many women wear skirts of a reasonable length and a more dressed up top. One word that describes these women is classy. They generally cover their knees and shoulders. Generally, darker colors are worn by the older Italians and the younger Italians will tend to wear brighter colors. Young men can be seen sporting brightly colored pants occasionally, but usually wear nice shorts and a polo of some description. Unlike in America, Italians hardly wear flip flops or short jean shorts. These items of dress are usually indicators of a tourist.

            Italian words that can be useful when talking about fashion are plentiful, but there are a few that are necessary to know. One of the most important is moda which means fashion. Another is vestiti which means clothes. Finally, possibly the most important word to know in any language: scarpe, also known as shoes.

            Overall, Italians portray elegance. When they go out, they do it in a more conservative, classy manner than in America. One thing is for certain though, when it comes to fashion Italian men and women always show up in their best, raising zero suspicion as to why Italy is the home of one of the greatest fashion capitals in the world. --Paige Kauffman

Weekend Travel -- Milan

My dad came to visit during my study abroad trip to Florence and suggested we go to Milan for a Saturday. Our first stop, the Piazza del Duomo, was stunning. As we were walking into the Piazza, a slow moving group of protesters passed by us. They were holding flags and signs while they chanted in unison. The emotion in their voices moved me to tears.

We walked around the Duomo to the front and met the protestors again. This time they had picked a place to collectively stand. A group of bystanders and police surrounded the protesters. The contrast between gorgeous architecture and human tragedy promoted the protesters' position. 

--Emily Boullear

Parole utili: duomo_ italian word for a cathedral; piazza_ is a place of gathering in a city square; la gente_ the people

Under the Tuscan Sun

I was prepared to write about the beauty of Cinque Terre, however I've
found that my partner in crime has already covered this aspect of Italy
in a previous post. Thus I am forced to write about something different.
In fact, this post is all about how Italy is different. Let's go!

Toward the end of the trail in Cinque Terre, there is the famous “Walk
of Love”. This is written everywhere. I wonder what it is like here on
Valentine’s day.
This is very different from the graffiti that I have seen in America in
that the graffiti in America is often vulgar. In Italy however, they
just write "love". I suppose all you need is love!

Are you in love? Are you ready to never look back and lock in your final
answer? Perfect. Just go put a pad lock on this fence with you and your
significant other's name written on the other side, then throw the key
into the ocean. Nothing says “I will always love you” like a lock on a
fence.

I think these people have a lock somewhere. We were relaxing on the
beach when the people right next to us started, to put it nicely,
"getting to know each other". I know it’s creepy to take a picture, but
this picture illustrates a huge difference between Italy and the states.
There is definitely a lot more public affection in Italy. In fact, I was
talking to some Italians about it, and they think the reason that George
Clooney and his girlfriend broke up was because he was not affectionate
enough in public with her. What this picture doesn't illustrate is the
other 300 people sitting right next to them that can see them. It would
just make me nervous to do this in front of everyone, wouldn't it you?

Swimsuits are more like underwear in Italy. There is a lot of man-thigh
on the beaches. One interesting thing about the beaches is that
everyone, no matter their age, weight, or physical appearance, goes out
and has a fun time in the sun and water. In America it seems to me that
people are very concerned with how they look, especially in a swimsuit,
however in Italy, it's not a big deal. Got a little extra mass around
your middle? No problem! Just make sure to bring some sunscreen.

That water is SO blue. So beautiful but not really fun to get in I have
to admit. The beach is pebble-ly and the water was rough so getting into
the sea involves getting pummeled with rocks (one hit my ankle pretty
square and knocked me over). Fun to look at though! Also, while we were
sitting on the beach, every once in a while a really big wave would come
around and the water would get to all the people sitting on their
towels, and also wet all of our things. Every time it would happen,
people's sandals were swept off to sea and they would have to try to
chase them down. Italy is something else. I deeply encourage anyone to
make the trip across the pond to see this wonderful place.

Alla prossima!

Jon Samp

Parole utili: Sciopero/SOP = strike/train not in service (the
trains do that sometimes); Spaggia = beach; protezione solare =
sunscreen (apply generously)

Il turismo in Italia

Tourism thrives in Europe and Italy is no exception. The reason why so many people come to experience Italy is because of the long-held traditions and ties to the fine arts and humanities. Italy is one of the most culturally rich nations in the world and since the Age of Discovery which started early in the 15th century more and more people have been interested, and able, to venture out and see the world. I chose a picture of Florence's Ponte Vecchio because I thought it expressed one of the most popular tourist pastimes: window shopping. The goldsmiths on Ponte Vecchio have an incredible collection and anyone can purchase some beautiful gold jewelery--just be prepared to pay a lot! I also included a picture of Arezzo. In the picture of Arezzo you can see participants of a long-held tradition where townsmen dress up and celebrate all day and then hold a jousting tournament at night. Tourists from all over Italy come to watch the modern-medieval spectacle. No matter where you are in Italy you are bound to see tourists, but the great thing is that every seems to be having fun and enjoying the rich cultural atmosphere. --Josh Palmer

3 parole utili: 1) Carta igienica - Toilet paper; 2) L'insettifugo - Insect repellent; 3) torre di sorveglianza - Lifeguard Tower

Weekend travel

This weekend we traveled to Greve in Chianti for wine tasting and Cinque Terre to catch some much-needed rays. Both trips had beautiful hiking trails, but the landscapes of each varied greatly. Chianti is in the countryside of Tuscany, while Cinque Terre is a group of five towns located on the coast of the Ligurian Sea. While on our hike through the vineyards of Chianti, we stopped at La Pieve Di San Leolino. This Catholic church is positioned on top of a large hill and had the most amazing views of the countryside. Afterwards we enjoyed multiple Italian courses and tasted three types of Chianti wine, a dessert wine, and an after dinner wine. On Sunday, we took a train to the first village of Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore, and then took the “Love Walk” to the second, Manarola. Another train ride brought us to the middle town, Corniglia, where we hiked to Vernazza. The majority of this two-hour hike was a steady uphill, but all our sweat and hard work was worth it once we saw the beach of Monterosso, the final stop in Cinque Terre. While this weekend was full of hiking and exploring, I think all the fresh air left us energized for another week of school, instead of feeling exhausted. --Katie Divel

Parole utili: dessert wine=vinsanto; after dinner wine=grappa (helps with digestion); Cinque Terre=the five lands

l'Accademia del Giglio

L’Accademia del Giglio is the school where all of us students from KU are studying at here in Florence.  The school was founded in 1995 and is a private school that is aimed at teaching international students Italian language and culture. Classes at the school are always kept small, generally 5 to 8 students in each class. The teachers are experienced and are always very helpful whenever students need assistance.  As students we attend approximately four hours of class per day. The first two hours are grammar and the final 2 hours are conversational practice with about a 20 minute break in between to grab a snack or coffee.  As I’m sure was the same with most of the other KU students I was not sure as what to expect when coming to school here in Italy but I think that we can all say that we have been pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere at the Accademia del Giglio is one that is exceptionally comfortable and encouraging.   I believe that all of us students feel that we are progressing quickly because of the effort and course work at the school. I personally enjoy the conversation portion of the day best because we are not only able to use the Italian that we are learning in class but we are able to learn about culture at the same time in a fun and interesting manner. -Larry Flanagan

Parole Utili: Ho una domanda- I have a question. Professore/Professoressa- teacher/professor . Compito- Homework. Libro- Book

Il mercato

In Italy, I have been to three different outdoor markets.   In Florence, I went to the San Lorenzo market, which mostly sells souvenirs and Italian products for tourists.  In Venice, I saw a huge fruit and vegetable market.  In Verona, I walked through a market of artists selling their work (they were also holding a competition for who had the best painting; I voted, but I don’t know who won).  All of the markets are full of people and energy, so you have to go into them with a positive, leisurely attitude.  If you’re impatient (like me), it can be frustrating to push through slow-moving crowds and stressful to stick with a group in all the chaos.

However, the markets are a great way to buy things cheaply and practice your Italian and haggling skills.  I, for one, am not very aggressive, so haggling with vendors isn’t something I’m very comfortable with, but I’ve seen Jordan get some awesome deals by asking the vendors for lower prices.  Of course, the legitimacy of some of the products in the touristy markets isn’t always very clear, but in most cases you honestly can’t tell the difference between the “real thing” (which is incredibly expensive) and what the street vendor is selling (often incredibly affordable).  I’d suggest checking out the markets for some things, and then splurging on the stuff you really care about.   At the San Lorenzo market, I saw Italian leather, fans, masks, clothes, jerseys/calcio memorabilia, cameos, paintings, postcards, etc. The shops go on and on, you’ve just got to search for the right deals. They often don’t have price tags on their items, so you have to get used to asking how much things cost and conversing with the vendor.  A lot of them speak sufficient English, but it’s fun to test your Italian, too!

The fruit markets are beautiful, colorful, and a little mysterious.  I saw lots of things I’d never heard off.  Here I mostly observed Italians grocery shopping. These markets close earlier in the day. –Jenny Curatola

Parole utili:  Quanto costa questo/quello? (How much does this/that cost?)  Barattare (to barter) Dov’è un bancomat? (Where is an ATM?)

First cooking class

First Cooking Class

On Tuesday we had our first Italian cooking class where we were taught how to prepare a classic Italian meal.  The main dish prepared was Tortelli di Patate, which is a Tortellini pasta filled with garlic mashed potatoes.  Then we prepared Ragu’ alla Bolognese, a Ragu meat sauce, that was used to cover the Tortelli di Patate.  The side dish that we prepared was Gnudi alla Toscana, a spinach and ricotta mixture rolled into mini balls.  Finally came dessert, where we prepared Biscottini di Prato – Cantucci, which tastes like a chocolate chip cookie except more crunchy and cut in slices.  The entire meal was made from scratch and took us about three hours to prepare.  Overall I think everyone truly enjoyed the experience and is looking forward to our next cooking class! --Kaitlynn Bundschuh

Aggiungere – to add; Mescolare – to mix together; to stir; Bollire – to boil

Il caffè

There are several different ways you can order your coffee here in Italy. The first time that I stopped at a cafe it was interesting because I ordered a coffee but ended up with a small cup of espresso. Going to a coffee shop back in the States, i.e. Starbucks, it is pretty common for people to get all sorts of drinks but they all significantly have more amounts of sugar and flavor added. Out here they are more about having espresso after their meals or early in the morning. Instead of all the different flavors they have different way to order their drinks. They all come without sugar so you have to add that yourself but you can also order it with milk, alcohol, or other stuff. Coffee shops out here are a lot more common then back in the States, you can find one on almost every corner and you will see a variety of them compared to just seeing Starbucks.
--Chris Forman

Parole utili: amaro: bitter, corretto: with alcohol, latte: milk

Il cibo!

    Italian food has been one of the highlights of the trip so far. Our house mom, Gabriella, has cooked us some of the best meals while I have been in Italy. The meals have comprised of pasta, salads, fish, pork, and chicken. One of the best nights she served us steamed chicken with potatoes and meatballs in a delicious sauce. There was  pesto pasta served as the first plate along with bread, salad, and vino. So far, the food that i have recieved in Italy has far surpassed that of my expectations. The spices that our house mom uses are unique and very complimentary to the dishes that are served each night. The food we have sampled in Italy so far has been very unfamiliar but exquisite.

Parole Utili: Vorrei: I would like, Buonissimo: very good!, Buon Appetito: Have a nice meal (said before eating)!

-Billy Galvin

Il Giardino di Boboli

We were originally going to visit Galleria dell' Arte Moderna but it was randomly closed today, so we went ahead and went to Giardino di Boboli because it was open and in the same area. It was a very hot walk around the gardens but it was very peaceful and relaxing. Dani, Katie, Emily and I found a shaded part that overlooked Florence. The city is beautiful from every point of view but I found this one special because it emphasized the structure of the city and how the city is in a valley surrounded by mountains. Francesca, Siena, and Dorian met up with us. We started walking and found Josh who joined us for the walk around the gardens. Francesca showed us around the garden and gave us all the history that we wouldn't have known on our own or without our guidebook. We wandered around the garden and broke a few rules by walking in blocked off parts of the area. Shhhhh! Today was a perfect day for visiting Giardino di Boboli and I recommend going to it if you are looking for a relaxing place to go and just sit around while gazing at the beautiful panoramic view of Florence.   --Kelsea Eckenroth

parole utili: chiuso: closed; l'ombra: shade; la valle: valley

Ferragamo Shoe Museum

Italy is the capital of fashion. Many world-famous designers are Italian: Gianni Versace, Dolce&Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, and Valentino-just to name a few. There is a famous street in Florence (Via Tornabuoni) which is home to some of the "poshest" clothing, jewelry, and shoe stores. It is here that you can find another well-known designer's store: Salvatore Ferragamo. Born in Bonito in 1898, Salvatore Ferragamo had a calling that was evident from his early childhood: making shoes. In 1914 he moved to Hollywood where he opened a store selling custom-made shoes that soon became famous. Many well-known movie stars were his regular customers. Some included Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Ingrid Bergman, The Duchess of Windsor, and Sophia Loren. When he returned to Italy in 1927, he decided to settle in Florence where he opened a workshop and store in Palazzo Spini Feroni which he purchased in 1948. In 1995, a museum was established by the Ferragamo family in order to acquaint an international audience with the artistic qualities of Ferragamo and the role his name played in the history of international fashion and not only footwear. Among the many items displayed in the museums, one can find elaborate hats, paintings, a pair of shoes designed by Andy Warhol, and even (though totally unrelated) the well where Beatrice Portinari committed suicide out of love. Ferragamo died in 1960 but his unique style still lives on. --Siena Vance

You can visit the Ferragamo Shoe Museum at Piazza Santa Trinita 5/R; Wednesday to Monday, 10 am-6pm.

Gelaterie in Firenze

Though there are many popular gelaterie in Florence (Grom, Perché No?, Vivoli- which are all located downtown) there is only one that remains one of the most favorites. This gelateria/pasticceria is famous throughout Florence for its outstanding gelato and mouth-watering treats. The name is Badiani, and it is located in an area of Florence called Campo di Marte (close to the Artemio Franchi stadium, Viale dei Mille 20/R). This gelateria is famous for their "Buontalenti" gelato. In 1979 the Florentine tradespeople issued a competition with the purpose of celebrating the famous Florentine architect Bernardo Buontalenti. Badiani presented itself to the competition and won a prize with a gelato named "Buontalenti". Since then this specialty based on whipped cream and custard won the heart of the Florentines and of all the lovers of gelato. Despite the many attempts from other gelaterie to imitate this flavor,  Badiani has remained for the past 40 years the only and true home of the real "Buontalenti". --Siena Vance