Wow this weekend was like none other. I am not much of an outdoorsy girl but I definitely conquered a fear of heights by paragliding. I am so proud of myself. That was something that has always been on my bucket list and now I can check it off! I am happy to say I enjoyed every minute of it. 

Thursday/ Friday

The adventure began when Taylor, Kevin and Hana and I left the Florence train station at 9:00 Thursday evening with the travel company, Bus2Alps. The trip Included hostel accommodation (Balmer’s Hostel) and travel. Very much worth it. The bus ride was very long and we, unfortunately, hit traffic around 1:00 AM. We were at a standstill for two hours. This caused us to get into Switzerland at 7:00 AM. Once we arrived, we slept in our hostel room for a little over 1.5 hours but was well needed to survive the rest of the day. Taylor and I woke up and got the continental breakfast. The hostel was relatively nice and clean but I forgot flip clops for the shower so that was a little rough to handle. At breakfast, I had cereal, granola and milk. We walked around near the hostel and then took a group walk to Lake Brienz. We met another girl, Nicole traveling from Florence who we ended up chilling with the rest of the weekend! That is the beauty of staying in a hostel. The weather was awful and rainy but we powered through. Definitely not having a good hair day either which Nicole and Taylor had the pleasure of dealing with as I asked them to take a million photos of me. After our walk we explored downtown Interlaken and grabbed Hooters. I got boneless wings and fries. The meal was relatively expensive. After lunch, we continued to walk around and stopped by the Funky Chocolate Club. I got a dark chocolate covered coconut ball and dark chocolate covered almonds. After our little treats we took a nap back at Balmer’s Hostel. By that time we were ready for dinner! We made reservations for a local place, Husi serving Swiss food. Taylor and I split a salad and schnitzel. It was so delicious. Then we, of course, went back to bed. Going out was out of the question.

Saturday

This morning was paragliding at 10:45 with Outdoor Interlaken! Taylor and I were worried about the weather but it turned out just fine. We were picked up at the hostel and then driven up to the mountain to the platform where we take off. Nerves did not hit me until we were driving the winding roads and I would look over and see how high we were. In the car we were given the guide and of course his name was Tom and I knew it was a sign! Once we got out and walked to the top I was somewhat very relaxed. I saw everyone go one after the other. I went last! Tom told me to start running so you get enough momentum then you are off! So amazing. It was not until we were over trees that I was like a little scared. Then he told me to put my arms out and I was like “nooooo” I am not ready for that! About five minutes later I let go! Amazing experience! I talked to Tom basically the whole time just to calm my nerves. Since I was last, Taylor got some good footage of me landing which was pretty cool! 

After paragliding, Taylor and I made PB&J’s at the hostel and took a train to Luauterbrunnen. We were told there were many waterfalls but were unsure if they would be frozen. Once we arrived, we walked to a tourist office and the women recommended we take the tram up to Murren to watch a ski and snowboard competition. The train ride and tram ride were truly something. The views were perfect! Once we arrived, we sat at the Hotel Jungfrau outside and enjoyed a local beer, Rugen Brau and a chocolate lava cake! After a couple hours we made our way down the mountain and went back to Interlaken. For dinner we met up with Kevin, Hana and enjoyed a durum kabab from the restaurant next door to the hostel. Then, we got chocolate fondue. Now, of course after all the fruit is gone there is still plenty of chocolate left. Creative Kelly grabs an apple and clementine from the room and brings it to the table. No shame. Thats the way to do it. No chocolate to waste! 

Sunday

Kevin, Taylor and I woke up early to watch the sunrise. It was relatively nice but could have been better. Then we came back to go enjoy breakfast and after we went to the Funky Chocolate Club where we learned to make chocolate. We learned why swiss chocolate is known all over the world and its because of the dairy used! We got to try all different kinds: cocoa beans,100% dark, 70% dark (my favorite), semisweet, milk, white chocolate. We had such a blast together! Then we went to the top of the M Hotel and took some pictures before getting yelled at for not ordering food. We then sat on a bench to enjoy the lasting views. For lunch, we got noodles from the Noodle Bar! I had fried rice vegetable noodles. This was probably the cheapest thing to eat in the whole area. We then made our way back to Funky Chocolate Club to pick up our chocolate bars and back to Florence we went.

Tips: 

• Although expensive ($70), Funky Chocolate Club making was worth it! 
• If you are afraid of heights you can 100% paraglide
• I recommend getting a drink at the M hotel because those views of Interlaken were amazing for the 30 seconds I was there. 
• Bring food and snacks because Interlaken is expensive
• Don’t be afraid to go into a tourist office. You might stumble across something you never knew existed

Friday: 

This was a long and adventurous weekend. On Friday, with school, I was fortunate enough to have traveled to Pisa and Lucca. Pisa is a very small town and people only really go there to visit the Leaning Tower.  Of course, my friends and I took basic pictures in front but it was also interesting to view and understand how it all works. I recommend watching this video to learn more. It was also beautiful to see the marble structure up against the blue sky. Furthermore, we explored the Pisa Cathedral and the Battistero di San Giovanni. The architecture was amazing. My art history teacher was explaining everything to us which made it so much more interesting.

The next stop was Lucca. Definitely a city I would not have visited without going with school but well worth it. We ate at a Dal Puccini in the beautiful Piazza dell' Anfiteatro. Shanley and I shared a pizza and a salad. We also ordered wine for the table. Never a good idea for lunch. I was ultimately ready for bed at that point. Then went to Gelateria Veneta where I got the flavor tiramisu. We walked around and discovered water traveling through the city. It was beautiful. And the best part was there were no tourists, except really us. Then, we walked to the walls and saw the views of hills that surround the city. So fortunate that the school takes us on these excursions. 

Saturday: 

Taylor, Shanley, Alex, Troy and I woke up early to take a train to Venice to meet up with Tony, Andrew, Sam and Will. We had a transfer at Bologna and ended up on a commuter train the rest of the way. We visited Venice during Carnival which made it so hectic. Carnival is a two-week celebration that happens before the start of Lent. Many people dress up in costumes and masks for the weeks. For this reason, everyone was coming, we had to stand the whole train ride. Although busy, it was so fun being there during this once in a lifetime opportunity. We toured the streets and took a gondola ride. It was a flat 100 euros including a detour to the Grand Canal. It was Kevin, Noah, Katie, Shanley and I on the boat. We drank some wine and loved it! Well worth it! Then, we made our way to the Piazza San Marco and saw the beautiful church and pier. Such beautiful architecture. We then made our way to the Airbnb on the other side of Venice near the Santa Maria della Salute. There is only one bridge connecting the two sides which were somewhat annoying for walking purposes. We then walked to the Corner Pub near us and grabbed a calzone with ham and cheese. We also grabbed fritoles which are only around during Carnival time! It is a round pastry with white cream inside. Shortly after Andrew, Shanley and Taylor and I walked to the end of the island and took pictures of the sunset near the Santa Maria della Salute. Then, we went to Al Giglio’s for dinner. The prices were somewhat reasonable for the location we were in. I ordered pesto gnocchi! Then we walked to Corner Pub for a Spritz drink. Very tart! A spritz is a classic Venetian aperitif, it's a mix of white wine, Aperol (sweeter) and Select (bitterer) and a squirt of seltz or Sparkling mineral water. After drinks off galavanting, we went!  The streets were packed with many drunk people in masks!

Sunday: 

Woke up at a reasonable hour to make our 11:30 boat tour. I ordered a cappuccino and a croissant at the corner pub then quickly started making our way to the pier. After walking through crowds of people we missed our 11:30 tour due to people traffic. We ended up figuring out a sufficient plan in order for us to move to the 12:30 tour and where we could still make our train. After asking people a million questions we realized that after the tour they would boat us to the train station! Somehow crazy things have a way of working out. This tour cost 20 euros and was well worth it! The fact that they took us to the train after was even more amazing. 

As for the boat tour we stopped at three islands: Murano Burano, Torcello. At Murano, we watched glass making. It was a really cool experience! The professionals make it look easy. I purchased a cork holder. Next, was Burano. This island is home to colored house and famous for lace. I purchased two lace ornaments! Also, bought a rotolo (a rolled sandwich) and caffe gelato, of course! Then we made our way to Torcello where I really should have ate! It was a very small island but the food was seafood which looked amazing. Then, we traveled back to the mainland and off to the train we went! We had a 5:42 train to Bologna and will make it home to Florence around 10:30!

Tips for Traveling to Venice: 

• Be aware if you are going to visit during a festival because it can be very crowded 

• Food is expensive 

• There are only certain roads that can take you places around Venice which can cause long travel time

• The boat tour and gondola are 100% worth it

Thursday/Friday:

This past weekend I traveled to Prague, Czech Republic. It was an interesting and exciting adventure to say the least. On Thursday, February 14, the traveling began around 11:30 PM. We walked through Florence to the tram that then took us to the bus stop. Our bus was leaving the station at 2:00 AM but the last tram left at 12:00 PM. We sat in the bathroom at the bus station for two painful hours. The security guard was kind enough to let us know to watch over our stuff. Not scary at all, right? It was freezing in the waiting area but we all managed to just sit there with our headphones in. I listened to multiple podcasts. Then the bus arrives and off we go! It was beyond freezing on the lower level of the bus. And of course, at that point in the night sleeping was not an option. I was so slap happy. I have a tendency to just laugh in the worst situations and always manage to turn heads but it's fine. Around 6:30 AM we arrive at the Milan station where we then need to figure out how to get to the airport. A subway and a train ride away we made it with like 45 minutes to spare until boarding. Thank god we walked right through security. So much faster than I had thought. We take off on time and upon arrival, we take a train and a trolly to the apartment. Now, hopefully, you followed this because at this point we have used SEVEN modes of transportation. 

After dropping our bags at the apartment, we were starving and stopped at James Dean Diner, where I enjoyed a fat burger, fries, and a strawberry shake. Really authentic! We then walked through the Old Town Square and decided it would be best to nap. After the nap, we explored and got some hot wine and sushi (avocado and sweet potato roll, if you were wondering). For dessert, I tried some of Taylor's Trdelnik which consisted of ice cream wrapped in a cinnamon dough wrap. Then we decided to get back to the apartment to get rest where we waited for Erin to arrive. 

Saturday:

• Ate breakfast at the Bakeshop. I enjoyed a ham and swiss croissant and a rugelach (mini croissant cookie with chocolate). I am trying the authentic food as much as possible!
• Walked to Old Town Square. The architecture is something so different than I have ever seen.
• Walked the Charles Bridge. Many religious figures
• Saw the John Lennon Wall (fun fact: he has never traveled to Prague)
• Saw more palaces and had the pleasure of walking up many hills
• Enjoyed a traditional Czech lunch. I got potato soup, beef goulash and dumplings (we received soft bread on the plate so I am assuming that was the "dumpling")
• Started on our treck to the Observation Tower. I had to take the elevator because I would not be able to handle walking on the exposed stairs. While in a cramped elevator, I met this awesome couple traveling from Dubai. At the top, we saw amazing views of Prague at a low cost!  
• After hours of walking, we trecked back to the airbnb to relax and then awoke to enjoy an amazing Mexican dinner at Agave. Erin and I shared beef and sea bass tacos and a plate full of nachos!

Sunday:

• Enjoyed a spinach quiche and a mini ham and cheese croissant at the Bakeshop before we walked with our backpacks to the Dancing House. In order to view the top we just needed to buy a drink. Well worth it.
• Walked along the river to then treck up more stairs to a Letna Beer Garden. Enjoyed a Pivo beer and a hot dog. Not a hot dog person but this was another level of good. It was wrapped in french bread. 
• Made our way to the airport to head back to Milan. Once we made it to Milan we took an overnight flexbus. We left at 9:50 PM and traveled by bus to Bologna. After a two hour layover, the second bus never arrived so we needed to hop on another one. After a long and exhausting night, we arrived back to Florence at 7:00 AM on Monday. 

Tips for traveling to Prague: 

• Once you arrive, take the #19 bus from the airport. You will get off at the McDonalds and then take the #26 Trolly to the Old Square.
• The city does accept euros but certainly would benefit you if you got crown.
• Book an Airbnb in Prague 1. It is close to all the must-see locations. All within walking distance.
• They have every type of food but definitely make sure to get the Trdelnik and goulash because it is authentic there.
• Not everyone speaks English which can be difficult sometimes. 

Yesterday, we visited Bagno Vignoni and Montalcino on a class trip. We departed from Florence around 8:00 AM and arrived around 10:00 AM. We stopped for coffee and a chocolate croissant at Albergo Le Terme. I had my first cappuccino! Very heavy. I am kinda missing my black coffee. This little Caffè was very small town and decorated so nicely. Sortly after our breakfast we visited the roman and thermal baths a short walk away. 

After exploring the views and taking a million photos we hoped back on the bus to travel to Montalcino. We enjoyed a very tuscan lunch which included bread/breadsticks, bruchetta, cured meats and cheese then a main pasta dish, ragù (also known as bolognese in America). The lunch restaurant was Enoteca La Fortezza located within the Montalcino Fortress. They also provided wine but it was too bitter for me! After a long lunch we explored the views on top of the Fortress. They were breathtaking. 

After exploring we tasted two local wines: Rosso di Montalcino from 2013 and 2014. The 2013 wine was by far better and did not leave an after taste. After two small tastings we walked to the bus to then pass out from the busy day and head back to Florence!