10 Italy Quotes That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust

Italy. Italia. A country that has inspired and intrigued the world since ancient Rome, and has continued to captivate millions of visitors for centuries. The history, culture, food, and wine leave an indelible impression on all who visit. In an attempt to describe my experience living in this crazy, beautiful country, I have collected 10…

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How To Donate Clothes in Florence (and save room in your suitcase!)

If you are temporarily living in Florence, studying abroad, or simply traveling, when it is time to return home the reality may hit that there is suddenly not enough room in your suitcase for every article of clothing you brought. Whether you overpacked, (check out my Study Abroad Packing List for tips on how to avoid this phenomenon)…

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Two Incredible Weeks In Italy: The Complete Itinerary

There is so much to do and see in Italy that planning a trip can be quite a daunting task. After living in Italy for almost a year, I am constantly adding adventures to my Italy Bucket List and never seem to run out of places to go. To help make planning easier, I have carefully selected…

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Riding the Bus in Italy: 7 Tips For A Successful Journey

While Italy has an extensive network of trains to get tourists and locals alike from place to place, one of the best ways to get around is by bus. Within a city, bus tickets are cheap (they often cost less than 2 Euro), and many times longer rides (for example Florence-Siena) are cheaper than taking…

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Dear Florence, I Love You: A Letter To My Study Abroad Home

Dear sweet city of Firenze, When I first arrived I was filled with butterflies and anxious feelings and nerves but was excited to see all you had to offer. Soaking in the lavish and stately Duomo for the first time nearly took my breath away. I could stare into the depths of the beauty and…

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A Perfect Weekend Getaway Discovering Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love living in Florence, however every once in a while I desperately crave some time outside of the tourist filled, busy city (with a serious lack of trees and nature I might add). This past week I finally had enough of the crowds and seemingly incessant winter rain, and realized…

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7 Signs It’s Tourist Season in Florence, Italy

Brace yourselves: the tourists are coming! In case you haven’t noticed, the weather is absolutely beautiful (finally!) and with the better weather comes something Florence is famous for…tourists. Each year, this bustling and historic city receives over 13 million visitors, particularly during the spring and summer months. For those who live in the city, come spring…

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Living “La Vita Bella”: What We Should All Learn From Italians

Sometimes living in Italy has it’s challenges-any ex pat or study abroad student has plenty of stories which elaborate this point. “Creepy” men, a serious lack of dryers, or waiting in line for hours attempting to fill out paperwork are among several ways of Italian life that often drive foreigners mad. However, despite these obstacles,…

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7 Fantastic Day Trips To Take From Florence

One of my favorite things about Florence is it’s proximity to other incredible Italian destinations! In just a few hours you can head to a variety of amazing day trips and explore different regions Italy. Here are my top 7 favorite day trips to take from Florence! 1. Get your hike on in Cinque Terre Experience the unforgettable…

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The Top 10 Must Visit Gelaterias In Florence

You don’t go to Italy without eating gelato and you definitely don’t go to Florence without eating at least a few (once a day is a good starting average). However, with a different gelateria on every street corner, it can be hard knowing which ones to go to and which ones to avoid. After some…

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