This was one of the only weekends that I didn't have a trip planned and it turned out to be absolutely fantastic. My school offers a lot of little day excursions and activities around Florence. Usually I try and stay away from big group trips, but I stumbled across a small trip to the Mokaflor Espresso factory/store on the outskirts of Florence. Some of my friends had signed up and since I didn't have any plans I went to sign up the day before and barely got a spot because someone backed out. Lucky me! At 9AM we met at the train station and took a short trip to the outskirts of Florence. We actually got there early (a first in Italian history- everyone is ALWAYS late) and were escorted down to their little cafe/ waiting area. The room was filled with information about different espresso beans, the history, and different machines used. Our tour guide was fantastic and he explained to us all about the history of espresso and bragged about Italians of course. Italians only drink cappuccinos until 11 AM and after that it is frowned upon. An Italian cappuccino is what we would call a latte. He said American or "Starbucks" cappuccinos are awful and just foam. Which is true. I remember that from the short lessons I got at Caffinas, the coffee shop at the Marriott this summer. When then got a tour of the factory where they roast the beans and package them. It smelt so amazing and made me very hungry. Which was perfect, because next up was learning to make a proper cappuccino. I had the basic knowledge but he explained each step in detail and taught us how to get the milk steamed without much foam so you can pour and make designs on top. He made hearts, leaves, animals, and many designs. After awhile he just poured the milk in, handed us a stick and said to create something. I somehow managed to make a dove, pretty sure it was just luck. Later he let anyone who wanted to make their own cappuccino. I decided this was a useful life still and gave it a shot. Turned out pretty well. Even my heart looked good for a beginner. I have a step by step photo resume, so I'm sure Starbucks will hire me when I return home.
The whole group at the Cafe
Roasting Coffee beans
Our tour guide,Gabriele, showing me how to make the heart on top.
Success!
That night my study away program offered free Florence walking tour, led by one of the professors. She showed us a lot of little local shops across the river, where is it typically less touristy. This woman was absolutely adorable as she showed us her favorite Florentine places and greeted all of the shop owners like they were best friends. We went to a marble table shop which had been in the family for generations and they made beautiful tables and art all by hand. Next up was a leather shop full of 100% genuine leather. Then off the her favorite gelato shop that uses all natural ingredients and stores gelato the proper way (covered, not displayed in huge mounds). Then she brought us to a metal shop that didn't even have a sign on the door. They make all kinds of different metal decorations and made all of us little coin souvenirs out of our Euro coins that have the Florentine crest on them. Lastly, she showed us a sketch art shop and we met the artist.
My Euro souvenir.
Chocolate and raspberry gelato. Delicious!
Venice! This has to be one of the top 10 most beautiful places on earth. I found it incredible peaceful to walk or boat everywhere. No car, no bikes, nothing but boats. I saw the police cruising by and boats transporting a stage for some concert. I couldn't get over how colorful and pretty the architecture was. It was a mixture of Italian and middle eastern style. It's ironic that Venice, a city meant to be hidden, has become such a tourist attraction. I'm glad we went a little later in the season because there weren't "quiet as many tourists as usual". Even with the crowds, it was so pretty. We went with a tour group Florence For Fun because they provided transportation, water taxis, glass blowing demonstration, and a tour guide. Great decision because the train to get there was so expensive anyway and our tour guide was great. He gave us some brief history lessons and walked us through the city. We managed to get away from the crowds into the residential areas which were great to see. Venice is known for their carnival and glass blowing. It wasn't carnival season, but we were lucky enough to go a glass blowing demonstration. I wasn't sure exactly what it was and it turned out to be exactly what it says. It requires a lot of skill and takes years to learn. We watched a guy take a ball of glass out of a furnace, blow on the end of the stick, and shape it into a vase. As if that wasn't impressive enough, he got a second piece and added a decorative handle. They then showed us their store of all original hand made products. They had colorful glasses, gorgeous chandeliers, and a lot of jewelry. It was incredible and just as pretty, if not more, than diamonds. We couldn't take photos of most of the stuff but I got a few of their samples. Lastly we finally got a gondola ride. Everyone has to do it in Venice. It turned out to be about 45 seconds and only across the Grand Canal. But hey, I've been on a gondolas in Venice!
On the water taxi, boating through the city.
Crossing bridges everywhere!
Glass blowing!
Some of their glass art.
Gondola ride!
I'm glad you loved Venice, and that coffee shop looks amazing!
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