Where to Stay:
• The metros don’t run all night, so a good place to stay would be in the Latin Quarter because then you should be within walking distance of nightlife.
What to See/Do:
• If you’re in Paris for just a couple days, try doing the left bank of the Seine river one day and the right bank the other day.
• Champs-de-Elysees: Long street of absolutely amazing stores. Kind of like a Rodeo Drive.
• Arc-de-Triomph: At the end of the Champs-de-Elysees. Very cool and if you climb to the top you get a great view of Paris.
• Montmarte: Amazing area with really cute restaurants, stores, etc. Moulin Rouge is here. Climb up to the Basilica (it’s beautiful inside and you also get another wonderful view of Paris). There’s a really great restaurant called Le Relais Gascon that’s right next to the Abbesses metro stop (they have huge salads that are incredible).
• The Latin Quarter: Great shopping, restaurants, etc. Also a great place to go out to at night. There’s also a famous place called Laduree on Bonaparte Street (Rue Bonaparte). Pick up some macaroons (they look nothing like what you’d expect) and be sure to try the rose macaroons along with any of the million other flavors.
• Musee d’Orsay: Great museum you have to make sure you see. If you do nothing else, go to the Impressionism floor and see works by Monet, Van Gogh, etc.
• Louvre: This museum is free on Friday nights for students, just bring identification (ISIC card). It’s also very discounted on Sundays. It’s an amazing museum but it’s huge and can be very overwhelming. Pretty much make sure you see the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and the Mona Lisa.
• Notre Dame: Beautiful cathedral
• Eiffel Tower: Pick up baguettes, etc. and picnic at a park under the Eiffel Tower. You can also take the elevator to the top.
• Seine River Boat Tour: Book a boat tour on the Seine River at night, it’s absolutely unbelievable. Some tours are a combination of a bus tour and a boat tour…I took this and it was amazing. It was really easy to book online in advance too.
• Catacombs: Supposed to be very cool, but make sure they’re open (they were closed when I was there).
• Versailles: If you have time and it’s not too cold, take a train for the day to see Versailles.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Budapest
Where to Stay:
• HomePlus Hostel: It’s brand new (just opened in January 2008 or something like that) and super inexpensive (look it up on hostelworld.com). The owner is so nice and helpful, he booked all of our tours and dinners for us, and he speaks very good English.
What to See/Do:
• Take either a guided walking tour or a bus tour so you can see the whole city. The city is divided by a river; one side is “Buda” and the other is “Pest.”
• Terror Museum: Used to be both the Nazi and Communist headquarters. Get headsets because most of it is in Hungarian and it would have been much better to have more explanations. Make sure to go to the bottom basement level.
• Hero’s Square: Area with monuments and museums. There was a protest going on when I was there so watch out!
• Parliament Building
• Castle
• Basilica
• Synagogue: Biggest synagogue in Europe (very cool).
• Danube River: Make sure to walk across the bridge at night for a beautiful view of the city.
• Spas: Budapest is built on hot springs, so visit one of the baths.
• We went to this really nice all you-can-eat/all-you-can-drink restaurant which was so much fun. I’m not sure whether it’s on the Buda or the Pest side, but it’s literally right at the end of the bridge so you can’t miss it. If you stay at HomePlus Hostel, ask him and he’ll know exactly what you’re talking about.
• Studio: Huge euro nightclub!
• HomePlus Hostel: It’s brand new (just opened in January 2008 or something like that) and super inexpensive (look it up on hostelworld.com). The owner is so nice and helpful, he booked all of our tours and dinners for us, and he speaks very good English.
What to See/Do:
• Take either a guided walking tour or a bus tour so you can see the whole city. The city is divided by a river; one side is “Buda” and the other is “Pest.”
• Terror Museum: Used to be both the Nazi and Communist headquarters. Get headsets because most of it is in Hungarian and it would have been much better to have more explanations. Make sure to go to the bottom basement level.
• Hero’s Square: Area with monuments and museums. There was a protest going on when I was there so watch out!
• Parliament Building
• Castle
• Basilica
• Synagogue: Biggest synagogue in Europe (very cool).
• Danube River: Make sure to walk across the bridge at night for a beautiful view of the city.
• Spas: Budapest is built on hot springs, so visit one of the baths.
• We went to this really nice all you-can-eat/all-you-can-drink restaurant which was so much fun. I’m not sure whether it’s on the Buda or the Pest side, but it’s literally right at the end of the bridge so you can’t miss it. If you stay at HomePlus Hostel, ask him and he’ll know exactly what you’re talking about.
• Studio: Huge euro nightclub!
Prague
Where to Stay:
• Prague Square Hostel is in the middle of everything
• Mosaic House: very nice and very new, apparently the best hostel some people have stayed at
• Look for places that are close to a tram stop. The trams run all day and all night (every half hour at night).
• Old Town or Wenceslas Square would be great places to stay
What to Do:
• Old Town Square: “Staromestske Namesti.” Staromestska metro stop on the green line. It seriously looks like Disneyland here. Make sure to see this during the day and at night it’s so beautiful. The astronomical clock is here. There are always different exhibits going on which are very cool to see. Great shopping, restaurants (you must go to Bohemia Bagel it is amazing), and tons of bars (M1 is one). Bohemia Bagel and M1 are right across from each other (when you’re in the middle of the square, look for the corner with Caffrey’s Irish Pub and walk in that direction).
• Tour the Jewish Quarter in Old Town (I think it closes around 4:30 pm during off-season and a little later during major tourist season. It isn’t open on Saturdays (for Shabbat) so plan accordingly).
• Jerusalem Synagogue: Looks like it came straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. Biggest synagogue in Prague
• Walk the Charles Bridge: “Karluv Most.” Oldest bridge in Prague. Great views and lots of vendors.
• Prague Castle: “Prazky Hrad.” This is the biggest castle in Europe. Go up to the castle and walk around the castle grounds and St. Vitus Cathedral and go inside (and you don’t have to pay to see any of this). Walk through Golden Lane.
• Wenceslas Square: “Vaclavske Namesti.” Great shopping (Mango, Zara, and H&M are there), museums, restaurants/cafes, clubs. See the national museum at the end of the large street and the Municipal House.
• Mala Strana: “Lesser town.” Right across the river over the Charles Bridge, this is a beautiful place to walk around. There are lots of cafes, and you can walk past many embassies, the Czech senate building, and to the Castle Gardens and Waldstein Palace Gardens.
• Petrin Hill: Great park and a memorial to Communism. Mini Eiffel tower is on top Petrin Hill.
• Lennon Wall: Tribute to John Lennon after he was assassinated. I think that this graffiti sight was also an underground artistic place during Communism. You can paint/draw on it if you want. The wall changes all the time as new people come and paint. It’s across the river over the Charles Bridge and then to the left (requires some weaving through side streets).
• Vysehrad: Old military fortress. From a boat on the water you get a great view of it. On Vysehrad there is a church, cemetery, statues, nice park, monastery, etc. It’s also where the building that I went to school was located. Take the long stairs down for a beautiful view of Prague.
• The Dancing House: Really cool building next to the river designed by the same guy who designed the Disney Concert Hall (Frank Gehry).
• Metronome: There’s a giant metronome up on a hill near Old Town across from the Intercontinental Hotel (actually this hotel is on the spot where Franz Kafka had his Bar-Mitzvah). There used to be a big statue of Stalin, but after Communism the metronome was put up in its place. When it’s nice out, there’s a great beer garden if you walk up the steps to the metronome.
• Kampa Museum and Kampa Park
• Kafka Museum
• Paddle Boats: If you’re there starting in May, you can take a paddle boat on the Vltava river. You get a great view of the city and it’s lots of fun. They rent them by the hour and it’s only about 200 crowns.
• Go to a tea house: You can order all kinds of unbelievable tea and smoke hookah. You walk in and take off your shoes and sit on cushions on the ground…it’s a neat experience. There’s a good one close to the Namesti Miru stop (tram or metro) that says “Cajovna” on the outside (caj, pronounced chai, means tea) one block past Pizzeria Grosseto next to the red Erotic Shop sign on your left.
• Café Slavia: Famous restaurant with typical Czech food and a great atmosphere. Also a good place to meet for coffee, etc. Right across from the National Theater (Narodni Divadlo).
• Cantina: Great Mexican restaurant near the base of Petrin Hill.
Nightlife:
• Radost: Amazing on Thursday nights (Free for girls on Thursdays all night, and before midnight most other nights). It’s where Rihanna filmed her music video (Please Don’t Stop the Music). At the I.P. Pavlova stop. The upstairs is also an amazing place for brunch (on the weekends) and dinner (it’s a vegetarian restaurant), and also a book/movie store. Be sure to eat in the back room, it’s beautiful…This is one of my favorite places (as well as everyone else’s on my program).
• Nebe: Go on Tuesday nights (Take the tram or metro to Narodni Trida)
• 5 Story Club: The biggest nightclub in Central Europe. Every floor has a different DJ and theme.
• Lucerna Music Bar and Club: 80’s and 90’s music on Friday and Saturday nights with music videos also playing on a big screen. Amazing place to go and dance (it gets really hot so dress light). I loved it here! Get off at the Mustek metro stop.
• U Sudu: Underground wine bar. Near Lucerna. We went on Tuesdays.
• Cross Club: Underground club, really really cool looking place. Close to Mecca, so start at Cross club and then make your way over to Mecca.
• Mecca: Far away but lot’s of fun. Free on Wednesdays.
• Mish Mash: A little bit far but really fun (especially on Friday nights).
• Beer Factory: They have taps at the tables so you just pay at the end for how much you’ve had to drink. It also has a club/dance floor.
• M1: Bar/Club in Old Town (across from Bohemia Bagel).
• Roxy: Club my program went to on Monday nights.
• After a late night out, go to the tram stop called Narodni Trida. Here you can get smazeny syr (fried cheese)…it’s a typical Czech food that you have to try (you can get it lots of places, but this little stand makes the best smaz).
Tips:
• The metros stop running at midnight and run slower on the weekends.
• Trams run every 10 minutes during the day, and then after midnight, the night trams run every half hour.
• WC = Water Closet aka Bathroom
• Typical Czech food: Goulash, dumplings (get the potato ones), fried cheese, saurkraut.
• Good Czech Beers: Pilsner (brewed in Pilzen, which is in the Czech Republic), Staropramen, Gambrinus. When you order water at restaurants, it costs money. So when people say that in Prague, the beer is cheaper than water, that’s usually true.
• Prague Square Hostel is in the middle of everything
• Mosaic House: very nice and very new, apparently the best hostel some people have stayed at
• Look for places that are close to a tram stop. The trams run all day and all night (every half hour at night).
• Old Town or Wenceslas Square would be great places to stay
What to Do:
• Old Town Square: “Staromestske Namesti.” Staromestska metro stop on the green line. It seriously looks like Disneyland here. Make sure to see this during the day and at night it’s so beautiful. The astronomical clock is here. There are always different exhibits going on which are very cool to see. Great shopping, restaurants (you must go to Bohemia Bagel it is amazing), and tons of bars (M1 is one). Bohemia Bagel and M1 are right across from each other (when you’re in the middle of the square, look for the corner with Caffrey’s Irish Pub and walk in that direction).
• Tour the Jewish Quarter in Old Town (I think it closes around 4:30 pm during off-season and a little later during major tourist season. It isn’t open on Saturdays (for Shabbat) so plan accordingly).
• Jerusalem Synagogue: Looks like it came straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. Biggest synagogue in Prague
• Walk the Charles Bridge: “Karluv Most.” Oldest bridge in Prague. Great views and lots of vendors.
• Prague Castle: “Prazky Hrad.” This is the biggest castle in Europe. Go up to the castle and walk around the castle grounds and St. Vitus Cathedral and go inside (and you don’t have to pay to see any of this). Walk through Golden Lane.
• Wenceslas Square: “Vaclavske Namesti.” Great shopping (Mango, Zara, and H&M are there), museums, restaurants/cafes, clubs. See the national museum at the end of the large street and the Municipal House.
• Mala Strana: “Lesser town.” Right across the river over the Charles Bridge, this is a beautiful place to walk around. There are lots of cafes, and you can walk past many embassies, the Czech senate building, and to the Castle Gardens and Waldstein Palace Gardens.
• Petrin Hill: Great park and a memorial to Communism. Mini Eiffel tower is on top Petrin Hill.
• Lennon Wall: Tribute to John Lennon after he was assassinated. I think that this graffiti sight was also an underground artistic place during Communism. You can paint/draw on it if you want. The wall changes all the time as new people come and paint. It’s across the river over the Charles Bridge and then to the left (requires some weaving through side streets).
• Vysehrad: Old military fortress. From a boat on the water you get a great view of it. On Vysehrad there is a church, cemetery, statues, nice park, monastery, etc. It’s also where the building that I went to school was located. Take the long stairs down for a beautiful view of Prague.
• The Dancing House: Really cool building next to the river designed by the same guy who designed the Disney Concert Hall (Frank Gehry).
• Metronome: There’s a giant metronome up on a hill near Old Town across from the Intercontinental Hotel (actually this hotel is on the spot where Franz Kafka had his Bar-Mitzvah). There used to be a big statue of Stalin, but after Communism the metronome was put up in its place. When it’s nice out, there’s a great beer garden if you walk up the steps to the metronome.
• Kampa Museum and Kampa Park
• Kafka Museum
• Paddle Boats: If you’re there starting in May, you can take a paddle boat on the Vltava river. You get a great view of the city and it’s lots of fun. They rent them by the hour and it’s only about 200 crowns.
• Go to a tea house: You can order all kinds of unbelievable tea and smoke hookah. You walk in and take off your shoes and sit on cushions on the ground…it’s a neat experience. There’s a good one close to the Namesti Miru stop (tram or metro) that says “Cajovna” on the outside (caj, pronounced chai, means tea) one block past Pizzeria Grosseto next to the red Erotic Shop sign on your left.
• Café Slavia: Famous restaurant with typical Czech food and a great atmosphere. Also a good place to meet for coffee, etc. Right across from the National Theater (Narodni Divadlo).
• Cantina: Great Mexican restaurant near the base of Petrin Hill.
Nightlife:
• Radost: Amazing on Thursday nights (Free for girls on Thursdays all night, and before midnight most other nights). It’s where Rihanna filmed her music video (Please Don’t Stop the Music). At the I.P. Pavlova stop. The upstairs is also an amazing place for brunch (on the weekends) and dinner (it’s a vegetarian restaurant), and also a book/movie store. Be sure to eat in the back room, it’s beautiful…This is one of my favorite places (as well as everyone else’s on my program).
• Nebe: Go on Tuesday nights (Take the tram or metro to Narodni Trida)
• 5 Story Club: The biggest nightclub in Central Europe. Every floor has a different DJ and theme.
• Lucerna Music Bar and Club: 80’s and 90’s music on Friday and Saturday nights with music videos also playing on a big screen. Amazing place to go and dance (it gets really hot so dress light). I loved it here! Get off at the Mustek metro stop.
• U Sudu: Underground wine bar. Near Lucerna. We went on Tuesdays.
• Cross Club: Underground club, really really cool looking place. Close to Mecca, so start at Cross club and then make your way over to Mecca.
• Mecca: Far away but lot’s of fun. Free on Wednesdays.
• Mish Mash: A little bit far but really fun (especially on Friday nights).
• Beer Factory: They have taps at the tables so you just pay at the end for how much you’ve had to drink. It also has a club/dance floor.
• M1: Bar/Club in Old Town (across from Bohemia Bagel).
• Roxy: Club my program went to on Monday nights.
• After a late night out, go to the tram stop called Narodni Trida. Here you can get smazeny syr (fried cheese)…it’s a typical Czech food that you have to try (you can get it lots of places, but this little stand makes the best smaz).
Tips:
• The metros stop running at midnight and run slower on the weekends.
• Trams run every 10 minutes during the day, and then after midnight, the night trams run every half hour.
• WC = Water Closet aka Bathroom
• Typical Czech food: Goulash, dumplings (get the potato ones), fried cheese, saurkraut.
• Good Czech Beers: Pilsner (brewed in Pilzen, which is in the Czech Republic), Staropramen, Gambrinus. When you order water at restaurants, it costs money. So when people say that in Prague, the beer is cheaper than water, that’s usually true.
Greece
Athens:
• What to See/Do:
o Walk up the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, Temple of Athena, etc. Make sure to take a look at the Acropolis at night as well because it’s all lit up and looks really beautiful. Helpful Hint: The Acropolis is free on Sundays.
o Temple of Apollo
o There are millions of other ruins to pick from to look at.
o Make sure to eat lots of gyros, feta, tzaziki sauce, and baklava!
Fun Islands: Noxos, Ios, Santorini, and Mykonos. Blue Star Ferries is a good company to book with to travel the islands.
• Santorini
o Make sure to go to Fira, which is the main town on the island
• There’s a great bar in Fira called Murphy’s Irish Pub
o Go to Ia to see the most amazing sunset you’ll ever see in your entire life
o Perissa Beach: black sand beach
o Go to the red beach, it’s absolutely beautiful
o Rent ATV’s/Mopeds for the day and you can drive all through the entire island…this was by far my favorite day during my entire trip.
o Ancient Thira
o Book a tour where you take a small boat to the volcano island right off Santorini. You hike the volcano and then head to some nearby hot springs. When you’re done with the tour you can ride a donkey or take a cable car back up the island.
• What to See/Do:
o Walk up the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, Temple of Athena, etc. Make sure to take a look at the Acropolis at night as well because it’s all lit up and looks really beautiful. Helpful Hint: The Acropolis is free on Sundays.
o Temple of Apollo
o There are millions of other ruins to pick from to look at.
o Make sure to eat lots of gyros, feta, tzaziki sauce, and baklava!
Fun Islands: Noxos, Ios, Santorini, and Mykonos. Blue Star Ferries is a good company to book with to travel the islands.
• Santorini
o Make sure to go to Fira, which is the main town on the island
• There’s a great bar in Fira called Murphy’s Irish Pub
o Go to Ia to see the most amazing sunset you’ll ever see in your entire life
o Perissa Beach: black sand beach
o Go to the red beach, it’s absolutely beautiful
o Rent ATV’s/Mopeds for the day and you can drive all through the entire island…this was by far my favorite day during my entire trip.
o Ancient Thira
o Book a tour where you take a small boat to the volcano island right off Santorini. You hike the volcano and then head to some nearby hot springs. When you’re done with the tour you can ride a donkey or take a cable car back up the island.
Vienna
What to See/Do:
• Albertina Museum: Great museum of Impressionist Art
• Hapsburg winter residence (Hofburg Palace)
o There are lots of individual tours in there such as a tour through the treasury, the imperial apartments (very cool), silver collection, etc.
• Hapsburg summer residence
o Make sure to also go to the gardens around the back
• Sigmund Freud Museum
o Not too exciting but you do get to see Freud’s apartment
• Parliament building
Nightlife:
• Bermuda Triangle Bars
What to eat:
• Strudel
• Sacher torte (special chocolate cake)
• Coffee
• Sushi (for some reason Vienna is well-known for its great sushi)
• Albertina Museum: Great museum of Impressionist Art
• Hapsburg winter residence (Hofburg Palace)
o There are lots of individual tours in there such as a tour through the treasury, the imperial apartments (very cool), silver collection, etc.
• Hapsburg summer residence
o Make sure to also go to the gardens around the back
• Sigmund Freud Museum
o Not too exciting but you do get to see Freud’s apartment
• Parliament building
Nightlife:
• Bermuda Triangle Bars
What to eat:
• Strudel
• Sacher torte (special chocolate cake)
• Coffee
• Sushi (for some reason Vienna is well-known for its great sushi)
Amsterdam
What to See/Do:
• Van Gogh Museum: Impressionist floor
• Anne Frank house (the line is usually pretty long so leave yourself a little time for that)
• Iamsterdam sign
• Parks (Vondelpark is one)
• Coffee Shops: ☺
• Boom Chicago: Fun nighttime improv place
• Beautiful canals: You can get on a boat and take a canal ride.
Where to eat:
• Pancake Bakery!!! There’s one right next to the Anne Frank house. This place is amazing.
• Van Gogh Museum: Impressionist floor
• Anne Frank house (the line is usually pretty long so leave yourself a little time for that)
• Iamsterdam sign
• Parks (Vondelpark is one)
• Coffee Shops: ☺
• Boom Chicago: Fun nighttime improv place
• Beautiful canals: You can get on a boat and take a canal ride.
Where to eat:
• Pancake Bakery!!! There’s one right next to the Anne Frank house. This place is amazing.
Berlin
What to See/Do:
• This is a big city, so I’d recommend taking some sort of bus tour to see everything. Here are a few of the places our tour took us to:
o Brandenburg Gate
o Berlin Wall
o Checkpoint Charlie
o Parliament building. I believe this is called the Reichstag. Climb up the dome on top (best time to go is around dinner time because the line is shorter then).
o Holocaust Memorial
o Hitler’s Bunker
o Hotel Adlon: Across from the Brandenburg Gate. It’s where Michael Jackson hung his kids out the window
o Beautiful zoo and aquarium
• Nudist Park!
• Bike Tour
• There’s a giant open air flea market that has tons of great finds
• Beer gardens
Nightlife:
• Pub Crawl: They start between 8 and 9pm…one of my favorite nights of my entire semester! Look for pamphlets at the place you’re staying for more detailed info.
• This is a big city, so I’d recommend taking some sort of bus tour to see everything. Here are a few of the places our tour took us to:
o Brandenburg Gate
o Berlin Wall
o Checkpoint Charlie
o Parliament building. I believe this is called the Reichstag. Climb up the dome on top (best time to go is around dinner time because the line is shorter then).
o Holocaust Memorial
o Hitler’s Bunker
o Hotel Adlon: Across from the Brandenburg Gate. It’s where Michael Jackson hung his kids out the window
o Beautiful zoo and aquarium
• Nudist Park!
• Bike Tour
• There’s a giant open air flea market that has tons of great finds
• Beer gardens
Nightlife:
• Pub Crawl: They start between 8 and 9pm…one of my favorite nights of my entire semester! Look for pamphlets at the place you’re staying for more detailed info.
Florence
Places to see in Florence:
1. Clearly, the Duomo (Catedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore), which is the main cathedral in the center of Florence. Climb to the top for only 6 euro and see one of the most amazing views of Florence. Notice the frescoes on the ceiling depicting the layers of Hell.
2. Piazza della Signoria. Contains a replica of the David by Michelangelo alongside the Palazzo Vecchio (former residence of the Medici family – used to be the most powerful family in all of Europe). Expensive eateries. Many famous statues around the piazza.
3. Ponte Vecchio (old bridge): Only bridge that did not get blown up in WWII built in the 13th century. Today contains many expensive jewelry stores. Always very crowded.
4. Piazzale Michelangelo: large square that overlooks all of Florence. Romantic spot for couples. If you have time climb up a little farther to the church of Santa Miniato and hear the monks chant at five o’clock on Thursday or Friday.
5. La Carraria: best gelato (Italian ice cream) in town. Located at the end of the Ponte alla Carraria (2nd bridge up from the Ponte Vecchio). Personal favorites: cookies, pistachio, and stracchiatella (chocolate chip).
6. Santa Croce: famous church that contains the sarcophagi of Michelangelo, Galileo Galeli, Niccolo Machiavelli, the head of Dante Allegheri, and other famous Italians. Beautiful stained glass windows and façade.
7. Via Tournaboni: famous shopping street in Florence. Contains all of the well-known Italian designers like Gucci, Emporio Armani, Prada, Feragammo, Pucci, etc. and also has Tiffany’s, Burburry, etc. If you can’t afford anything, it’s at least worth a walk!
8. San Lorenzo market: buy all leather goods and souvenirs here. Tons of little tents that sell everything you might want for lower prices than in the stores. I bought all of my gifts here. If time, check out the church of San Lorenzo and the Old Sacristy (make sure to read the plaques explaining Filippo Brunelleschi’s innovative ideas in architecture).
9. Accademia: museum that has the original David by Michelangelo. 10 euro, but well spent. You can’t leave Florence without seeing the original! Notice the disproportional hands and unfinished backside.
10. Uffizi: gallery with a colossal amount of art. If you’re not an art connoisseur, then skip this. If it’s your thing, then plan on making a reservation a day or two in advance to skip the long lines and get ready to see some of the most world-renowned paintings known to man.
11. Bargello: another museum, but not as art based. You can see Donatello’s two David’s here (the bronze is under restoration for all to see on the second level). Much less over-whelming than the Uffizi. More sculpture based. Contains other statues by Michelangelo, Verrochio, etc.
12. Brancaci Chapel: lesser-known, inside the church of Santa Maria del Carmine. Gorgeous frescoes done by Massacio and Massolino. Purchase a pamphlet or something so you understand the images from the Bible depicted. One of my personal favorites. Walk through the church when you’re finished and notice the Baroque architecture present and chandeliers.
13. Santo Spirito: another famous church designed by Brunelleschi. Excellent example of proportionality in architecture. See the cross in the back corner dedicated to a nine-year old boy who drowned in the River Arno.
Restaurants:
1. Acqua al Due: my personal favorite. Not too expensive. Known for its blueberry steak (awesome, very subtle taste) and balsamic steak.
2. Coquinarius: same price as above. Known for their pear ravioli.
3. Il Latini: awesome restaurant. More expensive. Tons of food. Must make reservations if you want to go. Only seating times are at 7:30 and 9:30 PM.
4. La Giostra: on the expensive side, but very good. Great food. Never heard a complaint about it. Complimentary champagne and appetizers.
Nightlife:
1. Michael Collins: great karaoke bar on Thursdays and Saturdays. Doesn’t pick up until late.
2. JJ’s Cathedral: in the Piazza del Duomo
3. The Old Stove: typical bar
4. Red Garter: American college kids (for the younger crowds).
5. Y.A.B.: go if you’re in college and want to dance.
Facts about Italy:
1. Italians eat three-course meals, typically. The first is an antipasta (appetizer, essentially) – typically bruschetta, prociutto (Tuscan ham) and melon, etc. Then a primo (pasta). Followed by a secondo (a meat dish). Not necessary to order all three, I usually just picked two of them (also gets rather expensive quickly if you order all three).
2. It’s not customary to tip in Italy. Only tip someone if they go above and beyond what’s necessary. This includes restaurants, taxis, hotels, etc.
3. If you go to a local bar on the street for a cappuccino, you will pay extra if you decide to drink it at a table. Italians drink their cappuccinos standing up at the bar and unless you decide you want to pay more, do the same.
4. Tuscany is known for their Chianti wine. It’s a type of red wine that uses grapes grown in Tuscany. It’s not authentic unless it has the black rooster seal with a pink band around the neck of the bottle.
5. Italians like to eat long meals and talk a lot, so you must ask for the check (il conto) at a restaurant if you want to pay. Otherwise, they will just leave you alone until you ask for it.
6. Florence is known for beef (il manzo) and their olives, besides their red wine. So try them if you see them on the menu.
Useful phrases:
1. Hello and goodbye: ciao
2. Thank you: grazie
3. You’re welcome: prego
4. Bathroom: bagno
5. Red wine/white wine: vino rosso/ vino bianco
6. Beer: birra
7. Piazza: square
1. Clearly, the Duomo (Catedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore), which is the main cathedral in the center of Florence. Climb to the top for only 6 euro and see one of the most amazing views of Florence. Notice the frescoes on the ceiling depicting the layers of Hell.
2. Piazza della Signoria. Contains a replica of the David by Michelangelo alongside the Palazzo Vecchio (former residence of the Medici family – used to be the most powerful family in all of Europe). Expensive eateries. Many famous statues around the piazza.
3. Ponte Vecchio (old bridge): Only bridge that did not get blown up in WWII built in the 13th century. Today contains many expensive jewelry stores. Always very crowded.
4. Piazzale Michelangelo: large square that overlooks all of Florence. Romantic spot for couples. If you have time climb up a little farther to the church of Santa Miniato and hear the monks chant at five o’clock on Thursday or Friday.
5. La Carraria: best gelato (Italian ice cream) in town. Located at the end of the Ponte alla Carraria (2nd bridge up from the Ponte Vecchio). Personal favorites: cookies, pistachio, and stracchiatella (chocolate chip).
6. Santa Croce: famous church that contains the sarcophagi of Michelangelo, Galileo Galeli, Niccolo Machiavelli, the head of Dante Allegheri, and other famous Italians. Beautiful stained glass windows and façade.
7. Via Tournaboni: famous shopping street in Florence. Contains all of the well-known Italian designers like Gucci, Emporio Armani, Prada, Feragammo, Pucci, etc. and also has Tiffany’s, Burburry, etc. If you can’t afford anything, it’s at least worth a walk!
8. San Lorenzo market: buy all leather goods and souvenirs here. Tons of little tents that sell everything you might want for lower prices than in the stores. I bought all of my gifts here. If time, check out the church of San Lorenzo and the Old Sacristy (make sure to read the plaques explaining Filippo Brunelleschi’s innovative ideas in architecture).
9. Accademia: museum that has the original David by Michelangelo. 10 euro, but well spent. You can’t leave Florence without seeing the original! Notice the disproportional hands and unfinished backside.
10. Uffizi: gallery with a colossal amount of art. If you’re not an art connoisseur, then skip this. If it’s your thing, then plan on making a reservation a day or two in advance to skip the long lines and get ready to see some of the most world-renowned paintings known to man.
11. Bargello: another museum, but not as art based. You can see Donatello’s two David’s here (the bronze is under restoration for all to see on the second level). Much less over-whelming than the Uffizi. More sculpture based. Contains other statues by Michelangelo, Verrochio, etc.
12. Brancaci Chapel: lesser-known, inside the church of Santa Maria del Carmine. Gorgeous frescoes done by Massacio and Massolino. Purchase a pamphlet or something so you understand the images from the Bible depicted. One of my personal favorites. Walk through the church when you’re finished and notice the Baroque architecture present and chandeliers.
13. Santo Spirito: another famous church designed by Brunelleschi. Excellent example of proportionality in architecture. See the cross in the back corner dedicated to a nine-year old boy who drowned in the River Arno.
Restaurants:
1. Acqua al Due: my personal favorite. Not too expensive. Known for its blueberry steak (awesome, very subtle taste) and balsamic steak.
2. Coquinarius: same price as above. Known for their pear ravioli.
3. Il Latini: awesome restaurant. More expensive. Tons of food. Must make reservations if you want to go. Only seating times are at 7:30 and 9:30 PM.
4. La Giostra: on the expensive side, but very good. Great food. Never heard a complaint about it. Complimentary champagne and appetizers.
Nightlife:
1. Michael Collins: great karaoke bar on Thursdays and Saturdays. Doesn’t pick up until late.
2. JJ’s Cathedral: in the Piazza del Duomo
3. The Old Stove: typical bar
4. Red Garter: American college kids (for the younger crowds).
5. Y.A.B.: go if you’re in college and want to dance.
Facts about Italy:
1. Italians eat three-course meals, typically. The first is an antipasta (appetizer, essentially) – typically bruschetta, prociutto (Tuscan ham) and melon, etc. Then a primo (pasta). Followed by a secondo (a meat dish). Not necessary to order all three, I usually just picked two of them (also gets rather expensive quickly if you order all three).
2. It’s not customary to tip in Italy. Only tip someone if they go above and beyond what’s necessary. This includes restaurants, taxis, hotels, etc.
3. If you go to a local bar on the street for a cappuccino, you will pay extra if you decide to drink it at a table. Italians drink their cappuccinos standing up at the bar and unless you decide you want to pay more, do the same.
4. Tuscany is known for their Chianti wine. It’s a type of red wine that uses grapes grown in Tuscany. It’s not authentic unless it has the black rooster seal with a pink band around the neck of the bottle.
5. Italians like to eat long meals and talk a lot, so you must ask for the check (il conto) at a restaurant if you want to pay. Otherwise, they will just leave you alone until you ask for it.
6. Florence is known for beef (il manzo) and their olives, besides their red wine. So try them if you see them on the menu.
Useful phrases:
1. Hello and goodbye: ciao
2. Thank you: grazie
3. You’re welcome: prego
4. Bathroom: bagno
5. Red wine/white wine: vino rosso/ vino bianco
6. Beer: birra
7. Piazza: square
Seville
Where to Stay:
• Do not stay at Caja Habitada
What to do/ see:
• Alcazar: a beautiful garden in Sevilla, there isn’t much to see there but it’s a beautiful and relaxing city
• During the day if its nice out everyone lays by the river, so grab some tinto verano and you can relax with the locals
• Do not stay at Caja Habitada
What to do/ see:
• Alcazar: a beautiful garden in Sevilla, there isn’t much to see there but it’s a beautiful and relaxing city
• During the day if its nice out everyone lays by the river, so grab some tinto verano and you can relax with the locals
Granada
Where to Stay:
• Oasis Hostel: working wifi, lots of tours and things to do
What to See/Do:
1. La Alhambra: So beautiful, definitely a must see, was built for over a hundred years by the Moorish
Tips:
• Almost every bar has a free tapas with a drink order so you never need to order a meal if you don’t want to.
• Oasis Hostel: working wifi, lots of tours and things to do
What to See/Do:
1. La Alhambra: So beautiful, definitely a must see, was built for over a hundred years by the Moorish
Tips:
• Almost every bar has a free tapas with a drink order so you never need to order a meal if you don’t want to.
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