Ciao from Ariccia, Italy!
We are entering into our second week in Italy, and I don’t think any of us would trade our experience thus far for anything. It was a full week of learning to live in Ariccia and navigating our way from there Chigi Palace all the way to Rome. As a group, we went to Rome on Friday, and were lead by our fearless Italian teacher Cinzia. We toured the Forum, Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain to just name a few. The fast-paced lifestyle in Rome quickly stood out in contrast to the slower pace of Ariccia. By the end of the day, the group returned to the Chigi palace with a new appreciation for the quaint town we will be calling home for the next three months.
Saturday was another busy day, with the majority of the group going back to Rome to complete our first assignment: scavenger hunt of major sites in the city. Everyone split up and took on the city without a guide. It was that taste of independence that made the day so enjoyable for me because we got to decide where we wanted to go and how quickly or slowly. Our group of three other girls that I went with would stumbled upon little hidden gems in the city. We were constantly in awe of the history the city had to offer.

It’s Sunday now, and it has been a much needed day of rest. The palace was quiet this morning as with everyone slept till about noon. The rest of the day was spent hanging out and some of us went on little walks around town to enjoy the beautiful weather. Overall, it was a wonderful first week spent in Italia and it makes me oh so excited for the upcoming eleven weeks!
Best,
Abbie Gauldin