Settling In: According to Zach W.

During my second full week of living in Florence, things began to become more and more normal. I can now walk the city and get to all major landmarks without a map; i know a couple hole-in-the-wall authentic Tuscan/Florentine restaurants; and I have a favorite caffe to get my morning coffee. I’ve come to realize how different the culture really is here. You will never see an Italian running after a bus or hurrying in any way shape or form. Everyone here just seems happy and content with their lives. It’s very refreshing as I’ve lived in San Francisco my whole life and you see people rushing around (including me) all day everyday. It feels like Italians try and make every moment of everyday enjoyable for themselves.

Im off to Venice for the weekend, Ill be writing all about it next week!

-Zachary Weisenburger 2014 AIFS Study Abroad Student

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Week 2: According to Brigitte F.

It has been about two weeks now that I’ve been living here in Florence. I’m getting around the town pretty easily and don’t get lost as often. Already, there are a few things I love about living here.

I love waking up each morning, sticking my head out the window and listening to Florence wake up. A vendor sets up his fruit market right below my bedroom window and soon the chatter of Italian starts.

I love hearing the accordion, violin, and chiming bells as I stroll through the city.

I love how the citizens of each city are so proud of their home and distinct history and culture. They gladly will boast about the famous people who were born, lived or died in their cities.

Gelato!

And, of course, I love the food. I have a meal voucher plan through AIFS for a number of restaurants in the city; so far I have eaten at three of them: Il Teatro, The Diner, and Osteria de’ Peccatori. The food is delicious and the portions are large, keeping me full and happy. Back home I don’t eat red meat, but I decided that I couldn’t experience Italy without tasting all of its amazing dishes that include red meat; so I have been eating just about whatever here. There are so many great dishes and a few strange ones. At the AIFS welcome dinner I had pate, chicken liver, which is a local specialty! Tortellini in cream sauce, thinly sliced prosciutto, nocciola gelato… I don’t think I could ever tire of this cuisine.

In my classes I learn about so many different pieces of art and architecture that are within walking distance, it’s amazing. Just a couple of minutes from my apartment is Il Duomo, Piazza della Reppublica, and many more monuments. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much art and history.

Last Saturday we had the chance to go on a day trip to Pisa and Lucca. In Pisa we toured Piazza dei Miracoli, including the Cathedral, Baptistery, and of course the Campanile (Leaning Tower of Pisa). Inside the cathedral there are numerous paintings, mosaics and beautiful things to gaze at. I was awed by all of it and am unable to truly express what a rewarding experience it was.  Hearing and seeing the history and art of Pisa was a wonderful. A short bus-ride away in Lucca we strolled through the streets and along the city walls. The surrounding area and top of the large wall itself are so green; it was a welcome break from the city-feel of Florence to see nature and take a leisurely walk through, what felt like, a pretty quiet town. I plan on taking my mom to visit both Pisa and Lucca when she flies over.

Here is the interior of the Cathedral at Pisa. Photos can’t do it justice.

I really enjoy the fresh market in Sant‘ Ambrogio square. It’s a little bit of a walk from my apartment, but now I have the path down and it’s definitely worth it. There are a lot of fruits, veggies, meats, cheeses and other items to choose from at good prices. I’ve even gotten to know a couple of vendors.

I’ve been trying to use Italian where ever I can, but I often have to say “Parla Inglese?” or resort to hand gestures and motioning. I can’t wait until I can communicate easily with the locals!

Last night I explored the other side of Florence across the Arno River with some students. The Ponte Vecchio bridge and Florence was lit up by shining lights. The day had not been rainy (finally!) and the clouds made for a beautiful sunset.

Until next time, arrivederci!

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Shoe Shopping in Florence: According to Fiona

Like most people visiting Florence, I wanted to buy some nice Italian shoes. I went online and simply googled “10 best shoe stores in Florence,” and after some clicking around I ended up on TripAdvisor.com, where I found two promising shops.

The one I decided to visit first is called Goccia, which is on Via Pellicceria in Florence (really close to the Piazza de Repubblica). It’s a pretty tiny shop, but it’s worth finding for sure! I was there during the last few days of their winter collection sale. (The TripAdvisor review that convinced me to go)

I bought 3 pairs of shoes there! 

Petra, me and Nino. They’re both very nice, and speak English really well. They’re really helpful; just tell them what you’re looking for and they’ll be able to assist you.

My roommates Elizabeth V. and Kat L. tagged along, and they both bought shoes there too. Elizabeth V. ordered this style of shoes to be made for her.

Elizabeth V.

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Best Spots to Study in Florence

We know, we know...as fun and exciting as it can be to study abroad, there comes a time in every study abroad student's life where they actually need to...you know, STUDY.  While some people are perfectly fine studying at home, others seek the quiet refuge of a library or a good cafe in order to get their learnin' on.

We've scoured the city and come up with a list of the best study spots in Florence.  Let us know if you've visited any of them & what you thought, or if you have a study place to add to our list!



1.  Biblioteca Oblate 
Close to: the Duomo
Via dell'Oriuolo 26 |  Tel. 055 261 6512
Hours: Mon. 2pm-7pm, Tues-Sat. 9am-Midnight (Closed Sundays)

This library is one of the best kept secrets in Florence--in fact, the incredible view of the Duomo from the second floor might make it hard for you to study at all! Fully equipped with internet access, quiet areas, and a cafe for those late afternoon snacking needs.  Be warned that outlets tend to get snatched pretty quickly, so come prepared with a full battery on your computer.

2. Caffe Letterario
Close to: Piazza Beccaria, Via Ghibellina
Piazza delle Murate |  Tel. 055 234 6872
Hours: Mon-Sun. 9am-1am
Set in a quiet courtyard of a former prison, Caffe Letterario is a perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. With both indoor and outdoor space, you're guaranteed to find a nice secluded place to crack open your books.  Also, don't miss out on the live music that happens in the courtyard in the warmer months or the Sunday brunch specials!

3. Arnold Coffee
Close to: Santa Maria Novella train station
Via degli Avelli 8/Second entrance on Via Panzani
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-8pm, Sun. 9am-8pm

If you're looking for the Italian equivalent of Starbucks, look no further than Arnold Coffee.  This cafe has American-sized lattes, flavored macchiatos, bagels, sandwiches & more, plus the added bonus of free-wifi and a downstairs area with plenty of tables and chairs.




4.  Brac
Close to: Piazza Santa Croce, Ponte alle Grazie Via dei Vagellai 18R | Tel. 055 094 4877
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 12pm-12am, Sun. 12pm-8pm

While it may be hard to find on the first try (the front door is quite plain and can be easily mistaken for just another storage building) this small architecture studio/cafe/bar is a hidden gem tucked away on one of the side streets surrounding the Santa Croce area.  If you walk past the bar in the front, you'll come out into a lovely courtyard decorated with hanging streamers and comfy cushions and chairs surrounding the interior.

5. La Cité

Close to: Santo Spirito, Ponte Carraia Borgo San Frediano 20R | Tel. 055
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 am-1am, Fri. 7:30am-2am, Sat. 10am-2am, Sun. 3pm-1am

Definitely more of a "hipster" location than its counterparts, La Cité is located on the Oltrarno side of Florence and reminds us of many of San Francisco's independent bookstore/cafe/art studio combos.  There's plenty of space to spread out, have a coffee, surf the internet and generally just chill out and take your time with those homework assignments.



6. The AIFS Study Center!
Piazza dei Peruzzi 1
Hours: Mon-Thurs. 8:30am-6:30pm, Fri. 10am-4pm, Closed weekends

While you're here, you might as well take advantage of our AIFS study center.  All computer and printing materials are of course free of charge, plus you get the additional bonus of our awesome AIFS Staff to keep you company and answer any questions for you while you're doing your homework!

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Fall back.

The week following a historic football match was always going to be a little on the slower side.  However the city did continue basking in the glow of victory for a few more days, with the local newspaper, La Nazione giving away a commerative poster on Wednesday.  A few copies have ended up in the study center and we will find homes for them soon...

Soon to be found on the walls of the AIFS study center.

Our friends from Pasadena City College were busy studying for Mid term exams as well as fine tuning travel plans as their Mid Term break began after class on Thursday.  Paris, Amsterdam, London and Barcelona appear to be the most popular locations and we're looking forward to hearing all the stories when classes begin again on Monday November 4.

On Tuesday, all our students attended a guided visit inside our local church, Santa Croce. It was a very pleasant afternoon, the Summer crowds have departed and the church was brightly lit but quiet, allowing Angela our guide to tell us all we ever wished to know.

Santa Croce Church

The students armed with listening devices enter the church.

Plenty to see, including the tomb of Michelangelo.

The remainder of the week has been fairly quiet.  This past weekend, Jordan and Nicole from Oregon took a trip upto Venice and Professor Lyons jetted down to explore Sicily. The Oregon students do have class this week.

Marta from AIFS chats to Nicole and Jordan about where to travel in Italy.

At the end of the week, the clocks changed, giving us all an extra hour in bed.  This has meant a brighter start to the day but by 5pm it is now starting to get dark.  Winter is coming. 

Halloween is also upon us, a quick stroll through the city reveals decorations and costumes are available but certainly on a smaller scale than in the USA.  No doubt some people will be in the mood to make the most of Thursday October 31 as Friday November 1 is the feast of Ognissanti (All Saints Day).  For the majority of Italians it is a public holiday.  It is traditional for Italians to visit the graves of relatives on this day. 

Sunset over Florence, viewed from Fiesole on Sunday October 27 2014.

Have a good week everybody.

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Into the hills on the number 7 bus.

Hard to believe already that is a week since our new friends from Pasadena arrived in Italy.  We've kept them busy with orientation, classes and a welcome dinner, so today we decided to go upto Fiesole and take in the view.

It was a beautiful late Summer day as everyone boarded the bus for the 6 mile journey up the hill.  In one week time the same road will be used as part of the World Cycling Championships.

Blue skies and fresh air greeted the group in Piazza Mino, Fiesole.

Firstly a quick visit to the Cathedral to see the foundations of the original church started in 1028 and the relics of Saint Romulus, patron Saint of Fiesole, quickly followed by a favorite Italian tradition...  Coffee and Pastry!

Oh yes, the best way to start the day!

It was good to see that the group are already used to taking their coffee "al banco" standing at the bar and not getting charged for the luxury of sitting down.  With a little rocket fuel in the stomach it was time to head to the slopes of Monte Ceceri "Mount of the Swans".  Along the way we got some fantastic views of Florence down in the valley below, so a perfect opportunity for a group photo!

Pasadena City College Firenze Fall 2013

After the pause for the group photo we continued passing by Olive Groves and ancient footpaths before entering the park.  We made our way through old quarries that had been in use from Roman times right up until the 1900s.  The path was steep in places but the cover from the trees kept us cool.

Following a path that could be over 2000 years old...

Having seen the whole of Florence and beyond, now the views were to the North and East.  The Chianti making vines of Ruffina were in the distance as well as the hills that separate Tuscany from Emilia Romagna.  The path topped out at a square dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci.  In 1506, two years after painting the Mona Lisa, it is believed that a flying machine, designed by Leonardo took its maiden flight from the very spot where we were standing...

1506?  First flight from Fiesole?  

With that in our minds, particularly the thought of someone being so brave/stupid to attempt such a thing four hundred years before the Wright Brothers we headed back towards Fiesole.  After another quick stop to admire the view and an Etruscan burial site, we arrived back in the center of the town.  Bellies were rumbling now as the clock ticked past mid-day so some of the group grabbed something to keep them going.

There was time for one more viewpoint, this time from the Monastery of San Francesco. The view never gets old, each time you see something new.  The majority of the group made a pledge to return, particularly when they have friends and family visiting.

Yes, You do live in Florence.

This weekend, some of the group are heading off to the beach, to make the most of the great weather.  Viareggio/Forte dei Marmi on the West Coast of Tuscany have been mentioned.  Some are doing laundry and studying.  The Cycling Championships start on Sunday with a Team Time Trial that passes through the center of the city, opening up a series of events going on for a week.  We have warned the students that access to school may take a little longer than normal.

Thanks for reading.  If you have any questions about any aspect of our programs, please do not hesitate to get in touch, email us at florence@aifs.co.uk.

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Let's get this program started...

After a break of almost six weeks without students, the AIFS Florence office was looking forward to Friday September 13 as that marked the arrival of students from Pasadena City College.

The city had gotten back to normal following the traditional August shutdown.  The staff were busy cleaning the office and classrooms with some repainting in places.  The history of Piazza Peruzzi where the school is based can be traced back almost seven hundred years, indeed the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre that we can see out of the main classroom window was completed in the year 130AD!

The area around Piazza Peruzzi in 1584.
The current AIFS Study Center is just by the arch where the number 167 is written.

Ged and Marta went to the airport.  The flight was on time and things were not so busy, so we were able to meet the group and get situated pretty quickly.  By 7.30pm, two hours after landing, everyone was in the apartments and unpacking/showering/updating the Facebook status.

If you are coming on a program in the future, always look out for the sign!

Nancy, Brittany and Caroline in their new home.

Of course, it is a Study Abroad program and in order to make the most of class starting on Monday, the weekend was taken up with orientation.  Sophie and Marta spent Saturday going over information about the city, particularly safety and security, particulars about the housing and the events we have planned. Sunday looked into cultural differences and a few tips about travel opportunities.  This was all so the students could hit the ground running and be ready to go for class on Monday.

On Tuesday evening, it was time to take a break from the books and host the new students at a Welcome Dinner.  Marta took the group to La Martinicca for a three course dinner.  

Let's have a "Salute" to the new students!

It was great to see everyone and the dinner went on well into the evening.  One of the highlights is kept to the end with the appearance of the dessert trolley.  Basically, you can have whatever you like. Tiramisu, Torte al Cioccolato, Fruit and Millefoglie (Napoleon cake in the USA, apparently) were the choices and it took 30 minutes to serve everyone, such was the level of decision making!  

The slightly worried looking owner of La Martinicca as dessert choosing begins...

A good time was had by all.  For the rest of the week, classes are continuing as normal, with the weekend beginning on Friday.  This week we're taking the students up to Fiesole to enjoy the view and go for a little hike upto Montececeri.

Of course, we cannot forget that the World Cycling Championships start in Florence on Sunday as well.  More about that later this week.

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Ferragosto and beyond...

Once again, it has been a while.  Summers go by so quickly as it is our busiest time in terms of groups arriving and departing.  Thank You to all our Summer Students for coming and spending time with us in Firenze.

We've had all the usual trips, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano, Rome, Venice as well as a hop over to the beautiful island of Elba.  Each of our programs is different and is customized to the desires of the faculty.

We've sampled wine and oil from the region, made our own pizza and studied gelato. We've taken in free concerts around the city, enjoyed opera and plenty of group meals. Some of us ran a 10k as part of the San Giovanni celebrations before enjoying the fireworks along the river.

Now the city is quiet.  Many shops and services are closed with signs posted saying they will be back at work on the August 26 or September 2.  That's just the way things work here.

In the AIFS office, work continues preparing for the arrival of Pasadena City College on September 13.

Across the city, our good friend Todd Bolton (of Tuscan Trails), our Wine expect had a wonderful Ferragosto with the arrival of a baby girl, Sophia Ines Bolton.  Congratulations to Elisa and Todd.

Welcome Sophia Ines Bolton!

For our American friends, we hope you had a good Summer.  Those of you in the Education business, good luck getting back to work.  Too those in Europe, there are a few more weeks to enjoy the sun, sea and the mountains.

If you have any questions about what we do, please don't hesitate to get in touch.  Email us via florence@aifs.co.uk.

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Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast Part I

Whilst the students have been studying abroad in Florence, they have had opportunities to travel.  Spain, France, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK have been popular destinations, like always.


Its always fun to remind the students what a beautiful country Italy is, with the 54 students that signed up for the AIFS tour to Sorrento, we were able to do that.


The group left by high speed train (Florence - Naples) directly after class on the 29th March.  From there we took a private coach around the Bay of Naples onto the Sorrento Peninsula and settled into our hotel.  The next day was a relatively early start for Breakfast and a day spent on Capri.

On arrival on Capri we took our own Private Boat Tour around the Island.  Silvana our guide gave us the commentary.

It was a beautiful day and the scenery particularly impressive. 

Everything is better by boat, right?

We were lucky enough on this trip to be able to get into the World Famous Blue Grotto.  (Extra Charge, of course).  

After a High Speed Ferry ride over to Capri, we hopped on a smaller boat for a cruise around the Island.  Everybody was enjoying the sunshine and despite a couple of waves here and there, the going was smooth.  As the tide was being friendly, those that wanted to were able to pay extra and visit the Blue Grotto.  Something everyone should do once in their lives..?


The cruise over, it was time to head up to Anacapri, the highest point on the Island.  We had our very own Private Minibuses to tackle the steep winding road.

Some enjoyed the Minibus ride to the top, some didn't...

There was an opportunity to catch a ski lift to the top of Monte Solano for wonderful views.

After a busy day, it was time to take the Ferry back to the mainland

It was a busy day but everyone was sad to leave Capri.  However this was only the end of Day 1.  What more did this wonderful part of the World have to offer?

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Florence Food Tour

Just after the Mid Term Break, some of the students and Faculty from Northern California signed up for a Food Tour of Florence.

Our guides Sandra and Tanya took small groups into the smaller side streets of Florence and introduced them to different types of Meat and Cheese, amongst other things...

The tour begins outside school with a small selection of fried rice balls.
A guilty pleasure...

A local shopkeeper talks about his wares.

In the Mercato Centrale, you can never be sure what you will come across...
Hearts, Livers, Feet...  Some of the students felt it was more like a Biology lesson!

We were able to try Four different cheeses.  A Parmesan Cheese that was aged 30 months was particularly popular, along with various types of local Ricotta and Pecorino (Sheep) Cheese.  Nice.

It was a great opportunity after living in Florence for almost two months, to rediscover the city again.  To pay more attention when hurrying to class and to try those side streets as you never know what might be down there.

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