Upon arriving in Verona, Italy, our first stop was the famous bridge that has been there since the 1600's. It was connected to a castle and was extremely incredible to walk on. I personally loved Verona because I'm thrilled with the idea of being in such a historic place with buildings that are 1000 years old. It gives you a sense of what it might have been like in an ancient time so far removed from your own.
There is such a beauty to ancient architecture because it opens your mind to the historic times of the past. Needless to say, Verona had some of the most beautiful and historic landmarks I have ever seen.
After Verona, we went on our way to Garda Lake, which was incredibly beautiful. It's a lake surrounded by mountains in the distance. The town was very quaint and welcoming as well as very historic. We unfortunately our trip was cut short early because of a torrential downpour! Even though we had gotten rained on, the beauty of the lake still made it 100% worth it.
The next day, we awoke at 7:00 am to head to the beautiful Swiss Alps so that we could start our 5 hour hike for the day. Once we got there, we met with our hiking tour guides and started our adventure. I have always loved hiking and have been doing it for years but I have never hiked on something that is so beautiful as the Swiss Alps. My favorite part about hiking was finding the hidden waterfalls within the mountains. It was by far one of the most breathtaking things I have ever seen. Then some 8 miles later, we were all exhausted from our rewarding experience.
Tricia Patras
Cinque Terre; meaning the five lands, was my favorite and most rewarding experience so far. Me, Emily, Kelcie, and Jess had an early wake up time of 7:00 am to begin our journey. When we arrived, we had to leave our bus to get on another train that would lead us to our first town, Manerola. To my surprise, the train journeyed alongside a mountain with nothing around it but ocean. It was a bit frightening thinking about how we were on a train that was circling around the edge of a mountain but the beauty of it overtook the anxiousness. When we arrived to Manerola, the views were absolutely breathtaking.
Whats a better way to get acquainted with the beautiful area of Tuscany? Tasting some wine! On Friday, me and the girls set off to have our little taste of Tuscany by going on a day-long wine tour. We arrived first at the Panzenello Vineyard, located on a stunning hill overlooking all of the Tuscany hills. None of us have ever been on a wine tasting, so we didn't know what to really expect.
Beyond our belief, it was even better of an experience that we thought it would be. At this vineyard, we went on a tour to where they hold their wine and were introduced to the process of making wine! It was extremely interesting to see the barrels of wine everywhere and to gain some knowledge about how much work went into what we were drinking!
After the wine lesson, it was time for us to start putting our knowledge to the test and start tasting! At this vineyard, we tasted a total of four amazing red wines that were each fermented in different time spans. It was so enjoyable being able to drink these Italian wines with the hills of Tuscany in the background!
Our next stop was the Cantine Vineyard. Upon entering, we were greeted with a refreshing white wine.
From here, we learned some history about the winery, which was built in the early 1600s. This winery definitely had more character than the last because of the amazing history behind it; and the wines weren't bad either! At this vineyard, we tasted a white wine, two red wines, and a dessert wine to finish the day off.
July 16, 2014
The Breathtaking Cinque Terre
Next, was Vernazza, where we had delicious seafood cones, which were paper cones filled with crab, squid, and more. Additionally, we also had authentic foccacia bread in the town where it was originated. The food was not the only enjoyable aspect of this town. The houses here were very colorful and the town was extremely welcoming to tourists like ourselves.
From here, I set off on my own to go on a vigorous hike through the mountains instead of taking a train to get to the other beach; Monterosso al Mare. The hike was extremely hard at first because of the intense heat but once you got up to the top after the first 20 minutes, it was incredible. I felt like I was on top of the world for a split second and all that was surrounding me was the Mediterranean. Altough the 3 mile hike was hard, it was completely worth it.
Once I reached Monterosso beach, I was ready to grab a refreshing drink and dive into the water. Cheers to a rewarding hike!
A Taste of Tuscany
Beyond our belief, it was even better of an experience that we thought it would be. At this vineyard, we went on a tour to where they hold their wine and were introduced to the process of making wine! It was extremely interesting to see the barrels of wine everywhere and to gain some knowledge about how much work went into what we were drinking!
After the wine lesson, it was time for us to start putting our knowledge to the test and start tasting! At this vineyard, we tasted a total of four amazing red wines that were each fermented in different time spans. It was so enjoyable being able to drink these Italian wines with the hills of Tuscany in the background!
From here, we learned some history about the winery, which was built in the early 1600s. This winery definitely had more character than the last because of the amazing history behind it; and the wines weren't bad either! At this vineyard, we tasted a white wine, two red wines, and a dessert wine to finish the day off.
By the time we were done tasting these incredible wines, we were not ready to leave! This day was everything we had imagined and more.
Endless Possibilities in Paradise
We’re not in Florence anymore.
Palm trees, gorgeous mountains, beaming sunlight warming our skin, clear blue ocean water with waves crashing on the rocky beach, it was safe to say we had made it to paradise, Cinque Terre in the Riviera Maya. I could not help but just stand there in awe and stare at the view for a minute. It was like the ocean background that you can download on your phone. Never in my life have I seen something so beautiful. I knew right away I couldn’t live in Chicago anymore and I needed to live by an ocean.
All of my stress was gone instantly. I forgot about any little problems I had in the back of my head. All I could focus on was finding a spot on the beach to lie under the sun for the rest of the day. Drinking a margarita, getting a tan, and being able to cool off in the Atlantic Ocean when I got hot is something I only thought I would be able to dream about.
Being in Cinque Terre, seeing all the unique houses and cars, and especially mountainous scenery made me realize what a different way of life it is there compared to Chicago. It is very laid back and relaxed versus Chicago where you constantly have to watch where you are walking or dress to the nines unless you want to look like a homeless person.
Starring out into the never ending, deep, blue ocean made me feel like the possibilities are endless just like the ocean.
WHEN IN ROME.....
Article by Jessica Shroka
Multi-media piece by Emily Clark
When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires, dreams come true. How about wishing upon a coin and throwing it into a fountain?
For centuries people have had this idea that originated from the ancient Romans that by making a wish and throwing a coin into a fountain, it will come true. The idea of wishing upon a coin in a fountain started with the belief that the water running through fountains was sent from the Gods. By throwing a coin in was giving them a prayer. Eventually, it evolved into a wish, mostly a wish for love which could be told to no one without the chance of it not coming true.
The city of Rome is famous for its beautiful, historic fountains scattered all around the city. The most well-known one is the Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain was constructed and opened in 1762. It is in dozens of movies including “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” and “When in Rome.” Each movie has a plot that consists of a character making a wish for love in the Trevi Fountain and it coming true. Almost everyone who visits Rome has thrown one of the many coins in the fountain while making a wish, whether it was for love or something else. More than 3,000 Euros worth of coins is thrown in to the fountain on a daily basis. Legend has it that the first coin thrown in and wish made guarantee a return to the Eternal city and the second coin and wish guarantee a romance.
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Unfortunately, while we were there, the Trevi Fountain was closed for reconstruction. Although there is a small section dedicated to people who would like to make a wish near the Trevi Fountain, it was just not the same. So, we settled for making a wish in the Fountain of Amore. The Fountain of Amore is located in the Piazza del Popolo. It is one of the many fountains for making wishes, particularly for love.
Will our wishes come true? Only time will tell. “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” –Roald Dahl, British novelist, short story writer, poet, fighter pilot, and screenwriter.
VENICE
By Jessica Shroka
No cars, no trains, no buses, no subways, just boats and gondolas. Venice, Italy is famous for being a city built on the water with no actual roads for transportation, just water ways. It is extremely well-known for having gondolas, light flat-bottomed boats used on Venetian canals, having a high point at each end and worked by one oar at the stern. Whether you are taking a gondola ride on a romantic date or just for fun, it by far the best way to see the city of Venice.
Passing by doorways to houses right on the water’s edge as we continued on our ride, I could only imagine what it would be like to live there. Instead of taking a stroll out the front door, you could only take a ride on a boat. It would be a whole different way of life entirely.
Living Like The Venetians Do!
By Patricia Patras
VENICE
By Jessica Shroka
No cars, no trains, no buses, no subways, just boats and gondolas. Venice, Italy is famous for being a city built on the water with no actual roads for transportation, just water ways. It is extremely well-known for having gondolas, light flat-bottomed boats used on Venetian canals, having a high point at each end and worked by one oar at the stern. Whether you are taking a gondola ride on a romantic date or just for fun, it by far the best way to see the city of Venice.
Not knowing the next time we would be able to go back to Venice, we knew we had to take a gondola ride down the beautiful canals to get a real taste of the city. Our gondola ride was forty minutes of breath-taking views down side waterways and main waterways. Sitting on the gondola I just had to sit back for a minute and take it all in. I was in Venice, Italy, on a gondola. Something I had only dreamed I would be able to do. Ever. It felt so unreal. I could not believe I was there. The scenery itself looked like a green scene backdrop right out of a movie. It was so relaxing and peaceful. The breeze coming off the water was refreshing after walking around in the sun the whole day.
Passing by doorways to houses right on the water’s edge as we continued on our ride, I could only imagine what it would be like to live there. Instead of taking a stroll out the front door, you could only take a ride on a boat. It would be a whole different way of life entirely.
Venice does not compare to Florence at all. It almost seems as if it is a different part of the world. While the fashion does seem to be similar and with both cities having a gorgeous duomo, Florence has streets, with cars, not bridges connecting other parts of the city.
Although the man controlling our gondola did was not singing to us like you see in movies, I am so happy and thankful I got the opportunity to ride on gondola in the gorgeous city of Venice, Italy. It is something many people can only dream of doing and an experience I will never forget.
Living Like The Venetians Do!
By Patricia Patras
Venice, Italy; a city completely surrounded by nothing but the open ocean. Our experience in Venice was a short one and unfortunately we were accompanied by some pouring rain the entire first day, but that didn't stop me from exploring the romantic city. As everyone went back to their hotels, I decided to stay out in the rain and get the most out of my Venice visit.I was completely in love with the city. I loved the small streets, the hidden canals, and the romantic gondolas. The architecture was also entirely mind consuming, especially in St. Mark square. The square is filled with millions of symmetrical columns that create a romantic feel when looking at them. Another exceptionally beautiful addition to the square is the famous St. Mark Basilica. The Basilica had some beautiful influence from Istanbul architecture which was mixed with the classic Italian romanticism.
After my day in the square, I attended the Peggy Guggenheim contemporary art museum. Here, I got to witness first hand, the beautiful works of art from painters such as Jackson Pollock, Dali and Andy Warhol. The most interesting thing about this museum was that it was Peggy Guggenheim's actual house. In the museum, they had pictures of what Peggy's rooms looked like furnished in the house with the same art that we were seeing in the museum. The entire museum was incredibly historical and was filled with inspiring works of art that were derived from personal stories from the artists.
The museum was definitely something I feel amazingly lucky to have been able to experience. To top off one of my favorite days in Italy thus far, I went on a gondola ride with my classmates and was able to see the entire city from the perspective of the water. This was by far the best way to end my last weekend trip in Italy. Lets just say that living like the venetians do is the best way to live!
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