ravenna

We took a little day trip to Ravenna, it is a quiet little city, but beautiful!

Quaint streets and the brightest cutest buildings. 

We studied a lot of mosaics here in the baptistries and churches, and they were AMAZING.

I couldn't even post any pictures because they just don't do them justice. it was incredible. 

<< always ending up in the back of the group because I get distracted taking pictures of everything i pass.

<< ah such a quiet little peaceful city.

<<The water table is high in Ravenna, so this crypt in the Santa Maria Novella church was covered in water… and GOLD FISH. how creepy is that. 

<< Hi huge door, hi small car. 

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<<Okay so i've totally been on a cliche hunt for "doors" and I seriously cannot wait to do a project with all my cute doors I have pictures of so far! (heart eyes)

<<Was GOING to snag some fruit for lunch...

<< But then spotted this yuuuumy panini. 

In front of the San Vitale church, where I gave a report on a couple of the mosaics that are inside :)

arrivederci roma

[goodbye rome]

We said goodbye to Roma this morning and made our way to Florence!

I was sad to leave that part of our journey, but I tossed my coin in that Trevi fountain so I do hope to eventually find myself in Rome again one day :) and oh am I excited for Florence! Especially from what i've already seen! especially the hour I spent at the train station by myself… just kidding. I got separated from my study abroad group so chilled alone at the train station for an hour before my professor frantically pulled up in a cab to rescue me. (a girl with my size of biceps can get a little behind lugging 2 50+ lb. suitcases around alright?!) didn't help that I know 0% italian and the pay phone ate all my euros. buuuuut I guess it's a story to laugh about later.

last tid bit of miscellanea from rome>>

>> Became real good homies with the embassy after a few phone calls and spending a couple hours inside getting my very own brand new passport. YAY. I hadn't realized how much that was stressing me out until I actually had my new passport. I guess it feels good to be legal.

>> On top of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, after hiking 551 steps to get there! On an empty stomach that is, good thing the view was spectacular because we were HANGRY. (hungry+angry) When you go to Rome, DO hike to the top of St Peters Dome. DON'T forget to eat lunch first.

>> The view off of my wrap around balcony out my hotel room in Rome. St Peter's Dome sticking up over there to the right. :)

>> Annnnd the view from the top of the dome. Incredible! Vatican City, and then the other side of the dome. Scared of heights much?

>>Pretty sure the only picture I actually took of the Spanish Steps. So, there ya have it. Whoops.

>> A little night visit at the colosseum. This place has yet to blow my mind every time I saw it and actually thought about it's history. Yeeek. 

Rome you were the bomb dot com! 

Florence, i'm so ready for you to impress me! :)

Tivoli, Italy

one ticket to Tivoli, please! //

currently wishing that my round-trip tix had been a one-way.

um, hi how cute is this train station? I mean, it was tivoli so granted it had to be cute i guess.

Well, whoops! There I go again falling deeply in love with one of the side country cities near Rome. We took a quick train out to Tivoli to spend one of our free-days Saturday. I allllmost didn't go and now that thought makes me want to cry. We paid to get into the Villa d'E ste gardens, and I sadly may never be satisfied with any other park/garden again as long as i live. Wish pictures could let you FEEL the pure beauty, but looking will just have to be enough! If you are ever in or near rome, i would highly recommend taking a day trip to this beautiful place! Take a picnic! Take pictures! Get some gelato and just soak it in, because I was in heaven!

OH, have i mentioned all we eat is carbs!?! Whoops, again.

these yummy fountains are ALL over italy constantly spurting fresh (or so i'm told) water to take a drink of or fill your bottle with!

Mom, dad? Can we book this place for my wedding please? K? Great. thanks you're the best!

When your shirt matches the ivy it calls for a few selfies.

WHOOOPS, tribble whammy because that was a lot of pictures, but i'm not even sorry!

I can't believe my time in italy is nearly half way over! We leave Rome to head to Florence on Tuesday where more beauty, art, and adventures await. This has been an amazing experience and i'm so grateful to be here!

I miss Ice, ranch dressing, sour patch watermelons and broke down at dinner the other night for missing my family but this has seriously been INCREDIBLE. I wish everyone could spend a month in italy!