This post features student writing.

Hi! This is Milena! We’re on a train to Osimo for our homestay, giving us time to relax and reflect on the last few days we spent in Florence, packed with museums, chapels, markets, and lots of gelato (I think the record goes to Sami S., for four in one day!).

The first morning, to kick off our museum visiting day, we left bright and early to stand in line to see the David, which left us speechless and also made for great photos. After lunch we walked around the Duomo for a peaceful hour, and then trekked to the Uffizi, where we traded knowledge on the Renaissance art and got to see some of the famous works we’ve heard of in person.

The next morning tested our haggling skills as we walked through the Italian leather and food markets, picking up some beautiful bags, hats, and souvenirs. That afternoon we visited the Medici chapel and took a bus to Fiesole, a little town above Florence, for a pretty walk and a delicious dinner with a very charming waiter. For those of us up for it, we went to the Space Discoteque for a cultural experience on the adolescent nightlife scene in Italy.

We took an incredible cooking class the next morning with the wonderful Antonella at the Giglio Cooking School. It was all gluten free, and there was something for everyone to eat in our three course feast. We made vegetable risotto, followed by spinach and parmesan stuffed chicken, with creme caramel for dessert. It was a real learning experience, and we challenged ourselves a little too (shout-out to Eva for cutting the raw chicken, despite her fears). The meal was possibly the best in Florence, as it was the quietest meal we had eaten, which Antonella says is the mark of a truly spectacular meal, when every mouth is constantly full. The rest of the day was relaxed, and we split up to shop and eat a bit more.

 

Everyone is very excited to spend six days getting to know our families in Osimo, experiencing even more of Italy by incorporating ourselves into a daily routine!

– Milena