My First Solo Vaca: Santorini, Greece!

Last week, I went on my first solo trip in Europe! I went to Santorini, Greece for four days and it was incredible. I left wednesday late at night and arrived in Athens around 1 in the morning. A mere 6 hours later I made my way down to the port and boarded the ferry. It was nothing like I was expecting, it was more like a cruise ship, with open areas and cafes on the main levels. There were also cabins for large groups and families who were taking long trips. It was a longgg 7 hour ferry ride. It was also stormy and raining that day so I slept most of the way there. I arrived around 5 pm and wandered around the town Thira, where my hotel was. It was beautiful and the main town of Santorini. I had dinner on the cliffs and had some great mousaka!
The next day I walked to the bus stop to go to Oia! It is the northern most town of Santorini, known for their incredible sunsets. I met another girl who was spending the day alone as well, so we teamed up and walked up and down the little streets together! It was nice to have someone take pictures for me haha! It was so windy this day that I thought I might get pushed right off the edges of the cliffs! They were 50 mph winds so it was a little chilly. Later, we parted ways and I stayed to watch the sunset, and it was so beautiful, it is definitely famous for a reason! When it finally sank, everyone cheered and clapped and yelled "Yeah nature!!!" haha It was probably my favorite part of my trip.

The next day was Saturday and my last full day. I spent it by myself walking around Thira and really exploring the town. I went into the prehistoric museum there and the catholic and orthodox churches which were beautiful. I walked up a portion of the stairs coming from the port and I was passed by a line of donkeys! I wanted to ride one so badly but I couldn't bring myself to do that to them :(
I bought myself some cheap jewelry and found a bench in the sun and took a nice nap. It was a perfect day actually.
Sunday, was the most beautiful day of my trip there and unfortunately I had to leave. I took a cab down to the port and spent an hour and a half writing a paper for my class waiting for the ferry. I wasn't happy to be doing homework, but I was in Greece and couldn't complain much.

Most of them spoke English, but I couldn't read anything! It was such a strange feeling after being able to figure out most languages from my knowledge of Spanish and Italian. Everyone I talked to was so helpful and I think the Greeks are the friendliest people I've met on all of my trips so far.

I am so proud of myself for having the courage to spend 4 days in a different country. Greece was definitely one of my favorite trips!

Tips and tricks for Rome and Europe in General

With less than a month left here, I've accumulated some great experiences. I have a good number of friends who are also coming to Europe this year (yay!) and I'd love to share my discoveries! Everyone asks me for my recommendations and tips for traveling abroad in Rome especially so I thought instead of writing out a new list for every person, I'd put it all down here for everyone!Who would've thought that I'd be giving advice on Rome.. crazy!

First, I made a small list of things in Rome, then a few general Europe travel tips at the bottom.
If you have any questions, ask me!

Rome

Sites:

Obviously all of the big things: Coloseo, Roman Forum, Vittoriano Monument, Pantheon, The Vatican & St. Peter's, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps & Via del Corso. You can actually do all of them in a day excluding the Vatican, of course you'll be walking a lot! 

The Vatican and the Basilica I would advise doing a separate day. For the Vatican, Wednesdays he arrives in the square in his pope-mobile and does a blessing outdoors (which is incredible!) but you won't be able to get into the church until the afternoon. Sundays he does the Papal Angelus, which is the blessing from his apartment window which is equally incredible. This day the church remains open through it. To get into the church, on any given day there is usually a line approx. 1 hour long but on Sundays and such obviously it will be longer. IMPORTANT:: Don't listen to what the people say about paying to skip the lines!!! My friends tried and it was a total scam!

If you haven't seen it yet, I would try to do both the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica (don't forget to climb to the top of the dome!) The view from the top of St. Peter's is absolutely stunning and you can see everything in Rome. Absolutely amazing.

I would definitely 100% recommend going to the Knights of Malta hidden keyhole on the Aventine hill. It's a tad hard to find but totally worth the great unobstructed view of St. Peter's. Not many people know about it and its right near the Forum and Vittoriano so you can hit it on the way to other things!

Basilica de San Paulo - This is the gorgeous Basilica of St. Paul. You can get here from the B line metro and it is definitely worth going to! It's beautiful and off the beaten path for tourists. It is built differently than other churches and I love it. Outside there is a cute cafe that has THE BEST cappuccino con Nutella. The cup is lined with Nutella.. it's actually life changing. 

Villa Borghese is great for a beautiful sunny day. You can rent the 4 person bikes with the canopy and ride around all day, it's really big and a lot of people like to run and exercise there!

The Trastevere Area in general- if you have time to wander, this is the place to do it. I still haven't explored everything and I fall in love with Rome every time I turn a corner! Its beautiful and picturesque and an amazing area. 

The Jewish Ghetto- If you have time, this is pretty cool to see. The museum inside the synagogue is cool and they give you a free tour. Also, outside there is a bakery that is known for the sweet pizza. Not really sure what it's called but if you Google jewish ghetto bakery, one should come up that talks about how rude the lady's who run it are... this isn't a joke. But the sweets are to die for!

PSA for the sites!

The first Sunday of every month is FREE to get into the Coloseo and Roman Forum and a few other cool things you usually have to pay for. 

As for churches, you can literally stumble upon one walking down a back side street and it'll be gorgeous. Dress conservatively or carry a small cardigan with you to be respectful.

Restaurants::

Okay, I can't even remember how many great places I've been to at this point, but here is a list of my absolute favs in a few categories:

Breakfast: 

They prefer a light, small breakfast. Usually a cornetto con nutella/marmalata and a cappuccino. 

Once it is past 2 or 3 pm though, they frown upon ordering a cappuccino!! Stick with a latte or plain cafe (espresso).  

Aperitivo (Appetizers / Happy Hour)- usually had around 5-6 pm.

Gusto - Has amazing drinks and a really fun atmosphere! It was 10 euro for all you can eat aperitivo buffet and a drink. We went and they had live music too!

Dinner -  usually had between 7-9 pm.

Dar Poeta- This is a great little hole-in-the-wall place. Every.Single.'Za.Is.Great. You seriously can't go wrong with anything. 

Pizzeria Da Buffeto- I think this is my favorite pizza place so far in Rome. Its so tiny and there is always a huge line, so get there early! The Buffeto pizza, the first thing on the menu was AMAZING. That's my personal recommendation, but again you can't really go wrong here.
Bar del Fico- This place is quirky and hip and I loved it. It has an open kitchen where you can watch them make your pizza! Loved the atmosphere here. 

La Cucaracha (Mexican) - if for some reason you're craving Mexican this is the place! 

Gelato- ANY TIME OF DAY :)

Gelato is amazing. That is all.

Della Parma- this baby has 150 flavors of gelato goodness. Also, it has soy gelato for lactose intolerant people! (personally I suffer through and get the normal kind because gelato will change your life). Here, my fav is the Nutella gelato! Its the best nutella gelato I've had yet.

Giolitti- The atmosphere is so cool here, its very old and its got character. Great gelato all around! The fragola (strawberry) is amazing here!

Frigidarium - (right around the corner from Pizzeria Da Buffeto... perfect!) Our recent personal favorite! 

PSA: Please please stay away from the restaurants surrounding any piazza, if it has pictures of the food on it's menus or if it has Christmas lights on it's patio umbrellas. TOURIST TRAP. The food is never as good and its so much more expensive. If you wander down a road away from a central piazza, you'll find where the Romans eat. Much better food, and way cheaper.

Also, they don't drink in excess. For college age Americans, this somewhat of a strange concept.
Camp di Fiori is infamous for being the spot for study abroad students to go out and get wasted on 1 euro shots and drinks. This isn't authentic Rome. Most Romans look down on this behavior. Instead take the time to search for other clubs if that's what you want for the night! They aren't hard to find and so much more fun than being around other annoying Americans! Scholar's lounge is also very American but it has karaoke on Tuesdays (and who doesn't love a good karaoke night). 

Fashion::

They're pretty conservative but they always look amazing. Black is their favorite color for clothes. They don't wear shorts really, but more sundresses and skirts. Obviously when it's hot in the summer wear whatever you're most comfortable in, especially if you're going to be walking a lot. Tennis shoes are a must. The cobblestone is hard to maneuver in anything else! 

General awesomeness of Rome:

Technically you're supposed to pay for the buses, but no one checks and you can hop on and off for free! The metro is amazingly easy and pretty cheap (1.50) per ride and there are only 2 lines.

Terrevision is great for getting from both Fumicino and Ciampino airports to Termini for 4 euro.

Bring a water bottle with you everywhere!! They make you pay for water at the table, and I've found myself very very dehydrated a few times. A water bottle you can easily fill up at one of the many fontanellas (little fountains) on almost every street. 

EUROPE TRAVELS IN GENERAL

I took my first solo European vacation a few weeks ago and I was terrified. I had never been to this place and I was alone. My friend gave me the best advice that was so simple.
ASK QUESTIONS
If they don't speak the language, usually they can direct you to someone who can. Authority, such as police, hospitals, churches might seem intimidating but if you need help they are there. Local shop owners or hotel staff know their towns and are usually more than willing to help you out as well with directions or advice.

Apps:

Skyscanner is a free app and it searches for the cheapest flights. A great place to start looking for flights. When you fly RyanAir, they ask you always print out your boarding pass. If you don't, you'll pay the at airport for them to do it for you.. 

Viber/WhatsApp-  I would recommend downloading both before you get here because they require a text message confirmation. People use both and it's better to have them just in case.

Uber- Uber is huge here! Way way better than taxis and usually cheaper!

Hola- For your computer. This download allows you to search the web and use Netflix and YouTube as if you were still in the United States! 

Translate- This one is obvious. If you don't speak the language, its a life saver.

CityWalk- I found this one in Greece. They have both free ones and ones you can buy premium for around 3 euro. Its an app with self guided tours in cities all over Europe that doesn't use data! Cool!

When you exchange your money, do it at the airport. Also try to exchange all of it at once. There is usually a fee and you'll get the best deal this way. Everyone mostly uses cash, and ATM's aren't hard to find. I would make sure you know what your bank's policy is for taking out cash overseas so you aren't hit with crazy fees! On that note, notify your bank you're traveling so they don't think your info has been stolen!

Try to figure out the metro/bus system wherever you are. So much cheaper and probably faster!
However, BE AWARE OF BEING PICKPOCKETED. It is a huge problem. I had my wallet stolen so I know first hand. Wear your backpacks on the front of you and make sure your wallet is in your front pockets as well. Also keep your phone in your hand or in your sight at all times.

Spain, Greece and Italy all use the same shaped plugs.

Phones & Data
I kept my smart phone and bought a SIM card from a phone store here called Wind. It's alright for within Italy but I haven't been able to activate it internationally. My friends have been able to though, so I'm not sure if it is just my phone with issues..  Vodafone has stores every country I've been to so that might be another option.
I know T-Mobile has a GREAT international plan so if you can, check into that. 

If you're only staying for a few weeks to a month, I think getting an international plan through your company on your existing phone would be the best and cheapest option, it's not fun to have 0 data in a foreign country...


If anyone wants recommendations in other countries, I've been to:
Italy (obviously)- Rome, Lake Como, Milan, Florence, Naples & Calabria
Great Britain- London
Spain- Barcelona, Valencia & Seville
Greece- Santorini

Buy experiences not things!

Be smart. Think logically.Safe travels. Have fun!
  

San Giovanni In Fiore

After returning from Spain and before leaving for San Giovanni in Fiori for Easter, I had the opportunity to go see Il Papa again! I went with two friends here in my program and watched him come through all the crowds through his pope-mobile! Honestly, I still pinch myself that this is my reality for another month or so, I can go to the Vatican any day I want to see the Pope.. crazy!
But the next day I left for San Giovanni!
I arrived in Crotone on Thursday (4/2) and was met by my cugina (cousin) Altea and zio (uncle) Franco at the airport! I was a little nervous, because the last time I saw them I was around 12. But they were instantly welcoming and wonderful :) When I first saw Gianclaudio I was in shock! He is only 14 and already taller than I was! Haha a huge change from the last time I saw him!
That day we just hung out at the house at first and had lunch with Gino and Mariuch! Then they drove me around to show me the town and then I went to watch Altea's volleyball practice.
The next day they took me to the cemetery where my grandma's family is buried and then they showed me the house my grandma grew up in! It was all so surreal and a little overwhelming to be there without her or my parents because I know they would love to be able to come back. We went and got our nails done, and then that night while Altea was at her volleyball practice, I went with her friends to a birthday party! It was kind of nerve racking to go without her but everyone was very friendly and was so interested in my life that I wasn't nervous for long. Everyone wanted to know about me but only knew a little English, I'm sure it was funny to watch them ask questions in Italian and me answering in English! That night the family and I went to dinner and then Altea and I went to watch a reenactment of the Passion of the Christ in the center of town. It was beautiful!
Saturday we hung out at home and then Altea and I went out with her friends to La Prima, a popular street where the young people of the town go out before and after aperitivo. I was surprised though at how many people smoke! Everyone was smoking! (Not gonna lie, I was concerned about second hand smoke lung cancer..lol) But it was so much fun meeting all of her friends.
Easter Sunday was very casual, we stayed in our pajamas while we ate our Easter lunch- antipasta, lasagna, lamb-cooked two different ways, fish, fruit and dessert. SO MUCH GOOD FOOD! They were so nice and got me a necklace that is popular in southern Italy and Mariuch got me a beautiful crystal necklace too! I also got a hugeee Kinder chocolate egg with a surprise inside!

Overall the weekend was amazing and I am so happy I was able to spend time with them! Tiziana made me feel so at home, she took such good care of me! It was so nice to be around family when I haven't been for so long. Even after only 5 days I feel so close with them and I hope I'll have the chance to go back soon!  <3

Spring Break 2015 -- Spain!

The first leg of our spring break consisted of Barcelona! Woo! Finally I was in my element! I love the Spanish culture- music, fashion and food! And I would finally be able to really understand, speak and read the language for the first time! (or so I thought)-- I didn't realize that Catalan is the primary language there.. with Spanish as the second. All of the street signs were in Catalan and the locals all spoke Catalan. I thought it was a weird mix of French and Spanish.. haha so that took getting used to. Anywayy..
We got to Barcelona on Thursday morning (3/26) and met a lady to give us the keys to our AirBnB apartment. It was right in the center of Barcelona very near the main street La Rambla. We set our stuff down and went exploring! We found the famous La Rambla market right down the street. It was huge! Stall after stall of fresh fruit and zuma (juice) which we bought every morning for breakfast. There were also so many fresh meat, vegetables, nuts and seriously everything else you could think of. There were also stalls with fresh empanadas. OMG. These are one of my favorite things about Spain I think. They stuff the empanadas full of everything you could think of and every single one I tried was delicious. We walked around more of downtown Barcelona and then made our way down to the Sagrada Familia. This church was INCREDIBLE. This is my favorite church out of every one that I've seen (which is saying something, living in Rome..) The architecture on the outside alone is amazing. We got to the Sagrada Familia around 4pm which was the perfect time because the sun was shining so brilliantly through the colorful stained glass windows making the inside look so magical!

At one point after walking around, I sat down in a pew and tried to take it all in. So beautiful.

After visiting the Sagrada, we headed home and got ready for dinner. We walked down the main shopping street at night which was all lit up and walked past the Gaudi Casa Batllo. Another gorgeous building built by Gaudi. For dinner we went to La Rita which was amazing- definitely recommend!The next day we woke up and went to the market again for our zuma! We spent most of the day at Park Güell which was incredible! We explored the Gaudi house and then waited for the park to open for free to the public. While we were waiting, we hiked up to the top of Colina de las Tres Cruces (Hill of the Three Crosses)  and we had a beautiful view of all of Barcelona! Finally the park opened at 6:15 and we literally ran for a spot on the bench that still had a teeny patch of sunlight. It was pretty funny to see three girls sprinting across the overlook but we got our pictures!

The park was beautiful! 

Our final day in Barcelona we decided to hit up the beaches! After a nice walk down La Rambla, we ended up at the water and it was gorgeous. The sky didn't have one cloud and the water was bright blue! We couldn't wait to hit the sand. On the boardwalk nearby there were tables of old men playing dominoes (they were precious). We spent the rest of the day on the beach, we got burned, but it was a great day. At night we walked by a group of musicians playing and dance students dancing in a square and eventually all of the people watching -young and old- joined in and it became a huge dance mob- authentic Spanish style. Next is the saddest part of my trip because unfortunately my wallet was stolen which was very very stressful and irritating. I was able to get emergency money from a branch of my study abroad program in Barcelona to last me the rest of my trip. So Barca didn't end on a good note, but the majority of it was fun :)

The next morning we caught a train to Valencia! I was so excited for Valencia as well because it was south (aka nice and warm) also because Rachel is studying here in May! So it was cool to get a tiny glimpse of where she’ll be living for 2 months this summer! Our hotel was right in Old Town Valencia and it was so beautiful! The architecture of the old buildings is so cool and very different than Rome! It reminded me a lot of Pirates of the Caribbean for some reason, with the French-like style and the palm trees… haha I don’t know. It was Palm Sunday that day and everyone was dressed in church attire and had their palms!

Unfortunately we weren’t able to make a mass. We went to the beach and explored the shopping district a little at night. The next day we started chocolate and churros!! So delicious! We were served a plate of churros and a whole coffee mug full of melted chocolate! After being sent into a sugar coma we went to the Cathedral – where the Holy Grail is kept! From there we decided to walk all the way to the beach via the Rio Turia—a dried up river bed converted into a huge park! It was very cool the way the city incorporated it into a green space for outdoor activities! We also walked by the City of Arts and Sciences the really cool outer space-looking building! We eventually made it to the beach where we found many women tanning topless. A bit of a culture shock but nothing we couldn’t get over haha (we couldn’t say the same for the American boys laying next to us..)

Overall I LOVED SPAIN! Thankfully I’m headed back in a few weeks to go to Sevilla!