Tuscany!

This weekend was actually the result of a very last minute decision.  We had planned to go to the Cinque Terre, but when we went to book places everything was full!  Then we figured we would stay in Switzerland and explore somewhere new, but when we looked at the weather report almost everywhere in Europe was pouring rain.... except for Tuscany! So we did some research, booked a hostel, and hoped for the best!

We left Friday afternoon for Pistoia which is a smallish town in the Chianti region of Tuscany.  When we got there, the owner of  the hostel picked us up and drove us to the hostel.  This was absolutely the most amazing hostel ever! Infinity pool, private rooms, restaurant, 6,000 olive trees, wine made from the owner, and beautiful views!  We spent the evening eating a wonderful home cooked dinner and enjoying the company of our new Australian friends. 

On Saturday, we got up early and made our way to the train station.  When we got to the train station we had to change our plans up a bit, so we headed to Florence.  We spent a couple hours in Florence, then we had to head back because the owner of the hostel had to pick us up.  Florence was nice, but since I had already been there and there was so many people so I was ready to head back to our Tuscan Villa!

When we got back to the hostel, we had time to lay by the infinity pool for a couple hours.  This is exactly what I needed, some relaxation time.  According to the hostel owner it is Italian law to wear a swim cap in all pools.  So of course we had to abide!

After pool time, the hostel owner took us on a wonderful tour of the area and wine tasting with the Australians we met!  We saw the house where Da Vinci grew up and and beautiful mansion where the locals have events and parties.  Then we headed to a vineyard where he taught us how they make olive oil and wine.  After we headed down to the actual vines where we could pick and eat as many grapes as we liked.  They were so delicious, because the next day they were going to be harvested and made into wine.  Finally, they took us to a table where we had 4 bottles of wine from the vineyard, homemade bruschetta, salami, bread with olive oil, cheese, and cantaloupe.  It was unreal sitting in Tuscany, drinking local wine while watching the sunset.  Once we were done at the vineyard we headed to a local castle that we explored in the dark then back to the hostel! Such a lovely evening!

On Sunday we packed up our things, ate some breakfast, and headed down to the train station.  We jumped on the first train to a town called Lucca.  It is a city that is surrounded by huge walls. There were gorgeous buildings of white marble and elaborate churches.  We wandered into a fun local market and had yummy kebabs for lunch.  Now that we were out of the area by our hostel the weather started getting very gloomy with a couple sprinkles of rain here and there.  Before we knew it we found ourselves running through the pouring rain absolutely drenched.  We were obviously not prepared, but since it was still warm out we weren't that uncomfortable.  

We then hopped on a bus headed to Pisa.  The girls really wanted to get that typical tourist picture, so of course we made it happen... still looking completely drenched.  So many tourists, but the tower was just as amazing as it was 5 years ago.  I got some yummy real Italian gelato and then we made our way to the train station.  Little did we know what was in store for us.....

If there is one word you should know in Italian when traveling around Italy it is sciopero.  Yes, that means strike.  Apparently Italians love to strike about anything and Sunday the train workers felt like striking.  We didn't find this out until we go to the overly crowded train station in Pisa.  We went to buy our train tickets to Switzerland and the guy just laughed at us and pointed us away.  Luckily our group stayed very calm and collected, even though most of us had class at 8:30am the next day.  So, to make a very long story short, we took a bus to the airport, then a hour long shuttle to Florence, then a train from Florence to Bologna, got off at Bologna and saw that our connecting train was canceled.  So within seconds we hopped back on the same train, it took us to Milan where we arrived around 11pm.  From there we were unsure whether to wait for the train that would take us back to Lugano at 5am or take a taxi that would be really expensive.  For me, it is always about safety first and I did not like the idea of waiting/sleeping in the Milan train station as four American girls.  With a little pushing we caught a taxi and finally made it to Lugano at 12:45am! Home safely, I busted out my homework and got a little sleep in time for class in the morning.


This morning I woke up to see snow on the peaks of the mountains around the lake.  Who knew snow could make me so happy!?! I am so thankful to be in Switzerland, such a wonderful country!


This weekend I have some exciting adventures planned!

XOXO

Swiss Family

This past 5 days has been full of family and I have absolutely loved it.  Last Friday afternoon, one of my relatives picked me up at my apartment in Lugano and took me to their house about 45 minutes away.  What a gorgeous view they have from their house, I could have spent all day looking at the mountains.  With my stay with them I was truly immersed in the Swiss Italian culture.  My weekend consisted of amazing lasagna, neighborhood walk, BBQ, hockey game, Sunday morning market in Italy, and a wonderful stroll along Lake Maggiore. So much fun getting to know my family.

                                    Hockey Game                                Italian Streets

Beautiful town in Italy

Yesterday, I took a train right after my classes ended to Zurich to visit more family! What a lovely visit, even if it was for just a day. As I am writing this I am on the train on my way back to Lugano.  I had such a blast being with them and their two little boys.  We had a wonderful Tuesday with strolls around the neighborhood outside of Zurich, more wonderful lasagna, a visit to the zoo, and dinner by the lake in Zurich.  I had so much fun and I will for sure have to come back another Tuesday!

                           Zoo in Zurich                                   What a gorgeous city

 So much fun!

Beautiful Lake in Zurich

Well, time for me to finish up homework. Ciao!

XOXO

p.s. Today marks 3 weeks since I have been here!

Swiss Alps: Gimmelwald

What absolutely amazing weekend!  I LOVE the alps.  I am pretty sure that is why I came to Switzerland in the first place.  Everything about the Swiss Alps is perfect; the adventure, the peacefulness, the beauty, the sounds, and the people.  Part of me wishes my school was located somewhere high up on a mountain, because being surrounded by the alps is a dream come true!

Views from the train, such a gorgeous trip!

This weekend five other study abroad girls and I went on a Swiss Alps adventure.  Even though it was our first free weekend in Lugano, we were anxious to get out and see more of Switzerland.  On Friday afternoon we left Lugano on a train for Interlaken (yes that means between two lakes...)! One stop, two trains, and a walk through town later we made it to our hostel in Interlaken! This was the first hostel I have ever stayed at and it was very interesting.   It was huge, with a club, bar, restaurant, tons of rooms, and a property if you want to stay in tents.  The six of us had a private room together, which was really nice for a hostel.  After dinner and a walk around town we went to bed, ready for our 6am wake up call!

 

                          At the Interlaken Hostel                       Walking around Interlaken

Bright and early we had our backpacks on and were excited to start exploring up the alps.  We took a train from Interlaken to a small town called Lauterbrunnen.  From Lauterbrunnen we took a bus to near the end of the valley, where we hoped on the Gondola to our hostel in Gimmelwald! 

             Lauterbrunnen                    Overlooking waterfalls                   

We got to our hostel by 9am and by 9:30am we were off hiking.  We took this gorgeous trail that led us through another town, past fields of cows and freezing cold rivers, around and up a mountain to a beautiful panoramic view of the Alps.  After a delicious lunch and long talks with people from England, 5 hours later we were back in town and on our way to our hostel in Gimmelwald.  I couldn't of asked for a more beautiful day in the alps!

The weather was perfect and the views were incredible!

The next day was very rainy and cloudy.  We walked into town and read for a couple hours and then headed back down the mountain hoping to escape the rain.  Unfortunately it was even more rainy in Interlaken, but that was okay because we still enjoyed our time exploring the cute town.  I hope to eventually go back to Interlaken and the surrounding area for more hikes and to do some adventures sports! At 7pm we hoped on a train back to Lugano and got there just in time to get some sleep before class in the morning.  This was the perfect first trip in Switzerland, I can't wait for many more adventures to come!

XOXO

Lake Como

Day trip to ITALY! After class in the morning yesterday (Wednesday) we took a day trip to Lake Como! It was such a beautiful day! Only a 30 minute train ride from Lugano.  

We ate lunch in the town of Como and then took the ferry out to a little town called Bellagio, which took a about 2 hours each way.  It was so relaxing being on the ferry.  

In Bellagio we walked around, got Gelato, and played in the water! It was an incredible Wednesday afternoon!

Tomorrow I am taking a train to the Swiss Alps for the weekend with 5 other girls! I can't wait to exlpore Interlaken and Gimmelwald for the first time!
XOXO