Locked in Love across Italy. Literally.

Lover's Locks chained to a light post in Verona

What’s better than

being in Italy?

Being in Italy, in love.

And who knows love better than the people who love life, I ask you? No one. Well, maybe them and that guy from The Notebook.
This is a post dedicated to good old-fashioned love being shown in a not so old-fashioned way. None of that Italian Stallion crap, but the kind of genuine romance that reminds you of your first love or your first kiss. The kind of love that makes you want to read all Nicholas Sparks’ novels over and over and cry every time.

Think of your average lock. The kind you put on your locker at school or the gym. A totally mundane object that you have likely bought a hundred times in your life and then thrown away once you forgot the combination or lost the key. Now imagine that same lock with two people’s names written on it and imagine it hanging off the bar of a quiet bridge in some little town in Italy. Suddenly, it’s something special. Suddenly, all its qualities of “security,” “safety,” “permanence”, and “lock-abilty” take on a new meaning. Now imagine 50 of those same locks all with different people’s names scribbled on them, all locked to the same place. That is a whole lot of love proclaimed in a beautifully subtle and sweet way that just makes me want to cry. Continue Reading…

The Other Side of Rome

Been to Rome before? Seen this, done that? Well…maybe you have and maybe you haven’t. Here are some of my favorite off-the-beaten-path things to see/do that are not always an easy walk down one of Rome’s breathtaking cobble-stone streets. That doesn’t mean they aren’t worth every ounce of effort to see. Maybe you need to go back. Hopefully, it will be with Select Study Abroad. Continue Reading…

Best Vintage Shopping in Florence

Note: post updated June, 2013
florence_vintage_shopping
When I first arrived in Florence there were not many vintage stores around. Three or four (that had a mix of handmade, vintage, and antiques) were holding down the fort of vintage clothing shopping in Florence, so to speak. But with the constant influx of tourists, many of whom seem to be in search of it, the vintage world has really taken off. In this blog I will share some of my favorite vintage shopping gems with you for your next trip. I’ve included a map below with their locations and basic info (click the pin for address, hours etc!).
 
Now please keep in mind that vintage is a volatile market and I’ve had to update this blog to make some changes to the locations I previously had listed (many of which have moved or are gone). For example, one store in particular I had hoped to add closed in the middle of writing this, so bare with me. If something isn’t where I say it is, chances are it has either moved, closed, or the owner has just gone to grab a coffee. I’ll try and keep this as up to date as possible and perhaps refrain from those locations that seem a bit suspect. If you find something new or find that the below information has since changed, let me know in the comments! Enjoy!
Continue Reading…

Day Trips Outside Florence

Siena's main Piazza, the Campo

I noticed this article about Florence on the Huffington Post the other day that lists 8 great day trips outside Florence. They are absolutely right that the city can sometimes be a bit overwhelming and crowded and that, luckily, it is easily accessible to many other amazing cities that will feel significantly less crowded and just as picturesque (if not more so). The winners according to the Huffington are:

1. Siena. Couldn’t agree more. A wonderful city with some amazing vistas and killer food, not to mention the most gorgeous Duomo around. Continue Reading…

Roma! Roma! Roma!

After all that Florence talk I feel I owe something to my other great love…ROME! Here are just a few tips, some of my favorite spots to eat, and some must-see sites in this glorious city.

**TIPS**
Ok my inner-mom requires that I say, just for the record, that the buses are a little more dangerous in Rome. So just in general BE AWARE. Watch each other. If someone is getting too close and looks sketchy take note. If they are up to no good and see that you see them, they will usually back off.

—> Ok. THINGS TO DO!!!:
There are so many things to do in Rome it is pathetic. I also think it is one of the best walking cities so you could just roam the streets of Rome (hardy har har) for days and do nothing, per se, and be ridiculously content. My absolute favorite thing to do is wander around at night (in safe areas, obviously, and never alone!) The city is a golden color during the day and at night it seems to somehow absorb that glow and use it to light itself from the inside at night. It is just beyond magical. But there are some places you just have to go inside to experience. Continue Reading…