In the Land of Pizza, Pasta, and Gelato

Smiling person at sunset with cityscape in the background. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.
Alison Castaneda
 November 8, 2015

This past month I took a trip to Italy with three of my good friends. We decided to take advantage of this four-day weekend and explore another country. We flew into Bologna, took a train to Florence, and then a train to Rome. I felt a bit of culture shock as soon as I arrived in Italy because of the language difference—I didn’t really experience this in Barcelona because I am already fluent in Spanish (although there is Catalan everywhere, it still wasn’t as huge of a shock as Italian). It was odd and a bit difficult trying to communicate with people, but the locals were very nice and they understood that we were trying!

Bologna is a small city, where mortadella, a type of deli meat, is from! Although we were only there for a few hours, we got to climb up the Asinelli tower and got a great view of the whole city. We also were able to try lasagna alla Bolognese and mortadella.

In Florence, we climbed to the top of the Duomo, went to the Uffizi Gallery, and the Academia Gallery. One restaurant I recommend going to is called Trattoria Casalinga! It has the best food (and mozzarella) that I have ever eaten in my life and it was recommended to us by a local. ***Asking locals where to eat is probably the best thing to do to avoid going to overpriced, touristy restaurants!***

In Rome, we visited the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Vatican City, and Sistine Chapel. If you can I recommend buying your ticket for the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel online ahead of time because the line was very long and we almost didn’t make it in! Luckily we made it in and we got a student discount (half off!) since we had International Student ID Cards.

Two tall medieval towers against a clear blue sky in Bologna. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

The Asinelli Tower

Rooftop view of Bologna, showcasing historic buildings and distant hills under a blue sky. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

The view from the top of Asinelli Tower in Bologna

1. Coastal cityscape with marina and distant mountains under a clear blue sky. 2. Narrow cobblestone alley in black and white with a bicycle leaning against a wall. 3. Two tall, ancient towers against a blue sky with power lines crossing. 4. Aerial view of an expansive cityscape with terracotta rooftops and distant hills. 5. Plate of lasagna with a golden-brown crust on a white plate. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Lasagna alla Bolognese

Cloudy sky over Florence's Piazza Santa Maria Novella, with green lawn and historical buildings. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Piazza di Santa Maria Novella

Broad plaza with flowers; ornate facade of Santa Maria Novella under cloudy sky. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, Florence

1. Urban square with lawn, surrounded by historical buildings. 2. Santa Maria Novella's ornate facade under a cloudy sky. 3. Panoramic view of Florence with clouds overhead. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

View from the top of the Duomo

Duomo's frescoed dome ceiling in Florence with vivid religious imagery. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Fresco on ceiling of Duomo

1. Piazza with green lawn, surrounded by historic buildings under a speckled sky. 2. Facade of Santa Maria Novella Church with intricate patterns and a circular window. 3. Panoramic view of Florence cityscape under a cloudy sky. 4. Interior dome of Florence Cathedral, richly decorated with frescoes. 5. Florence's Arno River at sunset, reflecting buildings and a bridge. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

View from Ponte Vecchio

Marble statue of David in Florence, displayed in a grand domed hall. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

David in Accademia Gallery, Florence

White statue of a man in a museum hall. Plate with mozzarella balls and basil leaves. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Mozzarella from Trattoria Casalinga

Statue of David in Florence gallery. Plate with three mozzarella balls and basil leaf. Four pizzas with various toppings on a table. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

   

Marble statue in a domed gallery. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Pizza (our Airbnb host recommended this restaurant called Pizza Man) and coffee gelato!

Panoramic view of the interior of the Colosseum in Rome. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Rome's Colosseum with tourists on a sunny day. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

The Coliseum in Rome

Colosseum in Rome with tourists and a clear sky. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

The Roman Forum

1. Colosseum under clear blue sky, with tourists outside. 2. Roman Forum ruins under cloudy sky, cityscape in background. 3. St. Peter's Basilica and square with obelisk under partly cloudy sky. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Vatican City

1. Colosseum with visitors under blue sky. 2. Roman Forum ruins under cloudy sky. 3. St. Peter's Basilica and obelisk, cloudy sky. 4. Ornate interior of St. Peter's Basilica. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

St. Peter's Basilica

1. Colosseum under a clear blue sky with visitors in foreground. 2. Aerial view of Roman Forum ruins on a cloudy day. 3. St. Peter's Basilica and obelisk with clouds in the sky. 4. Interior of a grand cathedral with ornate arches. 5. Castel Sant'Angelo with cloudy sky background. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Castel Sant'Angelo

Tree-lined cobblestone pathway, overcast sky. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Pathway next to Castel Sant'Angelo

Cobblestone path lined with tall trees. Narrow alley with stone steps and potted plants. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Alleyway in Rome

 

More Blogs From This Author

View All Blogs
Smiling person at sunset with cityscape in the background. This alt text was added with Al; accuracy may vary.

Alison Castaneda

<p>My name is Alison Castañeda and I&#39;m a junior double majoring in Communicative Disorders and Spanish at the University of Redlands. I grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California and I have a passion for traveling, exploring new places, trying new food, and taking tons of pictures. In my free time I like to go thrift shopping, drawing, taking trips to Los Angeles, and spending time with my family. Studying in Barcelona this fall is such a blessing and I couldn?t be happier with my decision.</p>

Destination:
Home University:
University of Redlands
Major:
Other
Spanish
Explore Blogs