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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