Firenze!

We went to Florence this past weekend for one of our excursions included in the API program. I absolutely love it there! Florence is gorgeous and I highly recommend going. There is so much to see and do there. We didn't even get to see all the museums and such but we did get to go to the famous leather market... That took up most of our time and I am very happy with my purchase (a teeny tiny strap of leather, promise).

API provided us with transportation to and from Florence which was really great - definitely stress free. The majority of the group didn't enjoy that too much because they went to the Tiesto concert the night before (Tiesto is some really famous techno/rave DJ). I really like that API always organizes the walking tours for us because they are a great way to learn about the city  (usually I don't listen too intently or I try to and am excited I'm learning all this new information but then 30 minutes later I forget it). The first thing we got to marvel over was the Duomo which honestly looks fake. It is absolutely breathtaking. It reminded me of Despicable Me and the pyramid. I just wanted to take a needle, poke and it watch it deflate. I could of stared at it all day if I had the chance. We didn't go inside the actual church and our guide told us that the outside is the part to see. I didn't take too many pictures from the tour because I was just enjoying the views (and sorry for the lack of artsy-ness - there just isn't enough time!)

So beautiful

 Inside the Church of Orsanmichele. I may or may not have gotten in trouble for taking this picture. Warning signs should be in Italian and English. 

One of the leather markets. Smells sooooo good

Stumbled upon this slice of beauty :)

 Here are a bunch of statues. There were very beautiful but maybe a little too detailed :)

After the tour, we did a little shopping. It was a nice and relaxing afternoon. We came across Zara and it is just so hard to go in there. Then we all got dressed up and went to one of the restaurants that our program managers called ZaZa's. It was one of the best dinners I've ever had and definitely was the best dinner in Italy. They actually had fettucine alfredo. I have yet to see chicken parmigiana. 

 Malissa, Blondie, Leslie, Alycia, Chelsea, Caroline, Chelsey, Daniel and Ben

Chels had a bunch of friends studying in Firenze so we met up with them! He is one of them - that is why I explained :)

Whoop! Aggies really dominate this session. 

Friday was a really fun night. Chels and I topped it off with late night gelato. Leslie said she knew I was grubbing on gelato when she heard someone order mint and chocolate from across the room (mint/chocolate shout out to Stephers - you would fall in love it's so amazing). Well, I'll write about our Jersey Shore filled Saturday and Sunday in the next post!

Love you and miss you!