"La Bella Firenze"

In 5 days I will be on my way to study abroad in Italy for 4 months. Even as I read that sentence over and over, the reality of it has yet to hit me. I'm guessing that's because I've been too busy to really sit down and think about it. My days have been spent working at AROC, running around doing some last minute shopping, trying to solve the mystery of how to fit four months of stuff into two suitcases (I wish Mary Poppins would lend me her bag!), and I've been trying to enjoy my last days of summer vacation without being too distracted by my fast approaching departure. Despite my busyness, I thought I would take some time to write my first blog and introduce everyone to "La Bella Firenze"...

For those of you who are not very familiar with Florence, I am going to save you a trip to Google and give you a quick overview on the fabulous city. First things first. Here is a map of where Florence is located:

It is in the beautiful province of Tuscany, is a 3 hour drive to Milan, Venice and Rome and is a 1.5 hour drive to Pisa (the west coast).

Now a little history:
Florence is best known as the birth place of the Italian Renaissance (c.1300-1600). The Italian Renaissance was a time of great cultural change in which the disciplines of literature, art, and architecture fllourished. Famous individuals of this time period include Michelangelo, Leonardo DaVinci, Brunelleschi, and Botticelli. I know you are all familiar with Michelangelo and Leonardo (at least I hope so!) but, for those of you who aren't quite sure who Brunelleschi and Boticelli are, I will save you another trip to Google. Brunelleschi designed the beautiful dome of the main church in Florence- Santa Maria del Fiore, and Boticelli painted the masterpieces "Primavera" and "The Birth of Venus". Their works as well as the works of numerous others greatly influenced the minds of many and served as a catalyst for the Renaissance that occured throughout the rest of Europe.

Well I think that's enough information for now. I hope that was helpful for everyone who wanted to know a little bit more about "La Bella Firenze". I still can't believe how lucky I am to get to call this city my home for the next four months! I am so excited!

Ciao,
Nicole