The OU in Arezzo students all had the opportunity to go on a Winery visit on September 12th which was very educational and of course, tasty. We went to a winery in Arezzo, only about 15 minutes away from my apartment. It's crazy that just a short walk away from where I live are fields of grapes and the facilities to ferment wine. I was able to learn about how the wine is made and got to sample the three kinds of wine that they produce with lots of tasty cold cuts, cheese and of course good old Tuscan bread.
The next week on September 17th we took a trip with our Resident Professors to Rome and had an awesome guided tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. I had already seen them in August, but it was fun to go again with a big group and get to walk around Rome again.
That same week on September 19th we attempted to take a trip to the beach. Unfortunately it was a bit chilly and there was no beach to be found but I really enjoyed climbing around on the rocks and looking out into the incredible view. Since it's no longer tourist season the towns we visited were very quiet and pleasant to walk through.
This past weekend I had the most amazing time in Venice and Verona with six other friends. We spend Friday and Saturday in Venice then went to Verona on Sunday. Venice was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to. Although it is a bustling tourist town, it was still fun to walk through the streets. I walked around all day with my friend Evan and we got lost for at least an hour. The streets are vey difficult to navigate but we ended up in the residential area where a child was having her birthday party. It was fun to see the local people just living their everyday lives. The second day we spent in Venice a few of my friends and I went to Murano island and were able to watch a man make Murano glass. It was incredible the way he shaped the molten glass and he made it look so easy! Murano was so peaceful and a nice break from the tourist track of Venice.
On Sunday morning we made our way to Verona which I absolutely loved. It was like a bigger, Italian style version of Norman. I want to retire there some day. It was so beautiful and had one of the prettiest parks. While we were there we visited Casa di Giuliette, the House of Juliet. That was one of my favorite places I have been so far. It was rather busy with tourists but absolutely worth the trip. We also walked around the city, ate at a wonderful Osteria, and attempted to visit some other historic buildings. The problem with going places when it is no longer tourist season is that many places are closed, such as the old Roman Amphitheater and the Tombs. It was disappointing that we didn't get to see them but I am hopeful that some day I will visit again. I would go back to Verona in a heartbeat.
The next stop on my adventures list was Pompeii and the island of Capri. Going to Pompeii is the best trips I have taken while here in Italy. Walking through the streets that used to be covered in ash and seeing the people who were suffocated by the volcanic ash was incredible. It was not the happiest ending for them, but it left an important historical event for us to look back on. Naturally, I wore my Doctor Who shirt the day we visited so I could take a picture in Pompeii in at courtyard that looked similar to the one in the episode about Pompeii. It was so much fun and I wish I could turn back time to see what it would've been like to live in Pompeii back in the day.
After we saw Pompeii we went to our hostel in Sorrento and spent the rest of the evening relaxing. The next day we visited the beautiful island of Capri. That island is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I couldn't get over how amazing the view was. We took a boat tour around and then walked through the city. Words can't even describe how wonderful the experience was. Unfortunately the water was too high for us to see the Blue Grotto, but we did get to see some places on the water that were very similar.
Now I am back in Arezzo and won't be doing any major traveling for the next few weeks. I can't wait for Thanksgiving Break and I really look forward to relaxing and finally having time to post all the pictures I have taken. Hopefully they will be up soon.
Sending many hugs from Italy
Buonanotte!
