Yesterday, I got to see the inside of a very successful fashion house. The fashion majors at Auburn got a personal tour of Fendi’s flagship store and headquarters. Alana Pucci was our tour guide for the day. She planted a curiosity in us because of her knowledgeable for the brand. She has been working for Fendi for 31 years. Alana started in February just as Valentine’s help and has been there ever since. I loved to hear that Fendi credits their employees for their huge success. This large company acknowledges that every person is apart of the team and has contributed to their success. Learning about each handbag that Fendi produces was incredible. I knew that fashion is very detailed, but I did not know that each bag has a story behind the name of the bag. Karl Lagerfeld is one of the most famous fashion gurus, but I was surprised to hear that he was responsible for creating the double ‘F’ logo for Fendi. The double stands for “Fun Fur”. Most people think it stands for Fendi, but Lagerfeld never wants to be predictable in his work.  He still to this day helps design the extraordinary furs and dresses for Fendi. The fur is from different places in the world but is hand-dyed and created in Florence and later distributed to the stores. Fendi uses fox, mink, beaver, and rabbit to create their staple piece. Alana informed us that mink is the top seller for fur selection. I have developed a love and respect for Fendi after this tour. I look forward to seeing their new collections and the success that they receive.

While most of the group had opted to go on the hike in Cinqueterre this past weekend, Emily and I decided to embark on a more leisurely visit to Milan and Lake Como..or so we thought. Starting Friday and continuing through the weekend we suffered a string of minor mishaps and slip-ups, but our trip still proved fruitful and fun nonetheless.
Friday morning we almost missed our train from Albano to Rome because we had misread the train schedule- good thing I double-checked the schedule 30 minutes before we left the palace! At the Rome Termini we boarded our first high-speed train for a three hour ride to Milano Centrale, hopped trains, and finally arrived in Como San Giovani. Once we stepped foot outside the station Emily realized that in our rush to make it to Albano she had forgotten to print out the map to our hotel. Luckily we had the address written down and after an hour and a half of asking passing pedestrians for directions in broken Italian, (thank goodness for Lanie’s Survival Italian class!) and getting turned around and lost one too many times we finally made it to our hotel..only to have the concierge tell us that he had never received the reservations we had made through a travel website. Thankfully the hotel still had room to accommodate us. Although we went to bed exhausted that night we woke up to the most glorious complimentary breakfast we’d ever experienced. I’d never been so thankful for scrambled eggs and unlimited coffee in my entire life.
Saturday’s excursions consisted of riding the ferry for a two hour scenic cruise to Bilagio, the little town where George Clooney’s vacation villa is located. Although we didn’t spot George, we enjoyed a scrumptious lunch and a glass of Prosecco by the water while we watched a wedding reception taking place on an old steamboat docked at the pier nearby. Talk about a perfect wedding venue! We returned to our hotel late that night and slept, waking up to several excited iMessages from friends and family about Auburn’s win against LSU and Alabama’s defeat against Ole Miss (did you know that ESPN’s live streaming app WatchESPN is available in every country EXCEPT Italy? Neither did I until I attempted to watch the game) After enjoying the four-star breakfast for the last time we checked out early and set off towards Milan to explore a bit and treat ourselves to a bit of shopping. How could we not in one of the world’s biggest fashion capital cities?  After lunching we stopped in the Magnum ice cream store to personalize an ice cream bar before heading back towards the train station to return to Rome and Albano.
 
Although our trip got off to a rocky start, Emily and I handled our obstacles confidently and successfully. After living in a foreign country for a little over a month, we had gained enough experience and independence to solve our issues quickly without dissolving into a state of panic, and most importantly, not let it ruin our unforgettable experience of Milan. The most important lesson we learned was to double-check, print out, and prepare everything the night before..and that Survival Italian class really can save your life (or at least save your feet a couple of blisters from unnecessary walking!)
-Bonnie Sullivan-
 

People always tell you about how great studying aboard is and how much it can change your life.  However, students forget to tell you with all the fun you have having there are tough times as well.  Adjusting to living with “strangers” and learning a new culture is hard, and you realize quickly you will never be fully prepared before you enter that strange environment.  Starting this experience, I couldn’t believe how quickly time was flying by.  It came to the point that I wanted it to slow down just so I didn’t feel as if I were wishing away my time in Italy.  Before I knew it my parents were about to be here and the program was already half over.
This week was one of the first times I’ve felt we have actually gotten to see how a native Italian family lives.  Over the past couple of weeks, we have traveled to different places learning about the Italian culture and the traditions that have made them who they are today.  This week was no different.
Yesterday, we traveled to Rome to visit the Sistine Chapel and the Moses, a few of the many pieces by Michelangelo.  Coming from a Catholic background, I enjoy learning the roots to my religion.  After visiting the Sistine Chapel, I did not know what to think.  It was overwhelming and much different than anything I could have imagined.  At every turn, I saw something new.  But, my favorite part of the day was going to one of our professor’s homes in Rome to enjoy a relaxing evening and getting to know our abroad family even better.  This program is one of the best decisions I’ve made, but we constantly go, go, go. So, taking the time to just sit down and enjoy the company of each other and having a real Italian aperitivo experience was a night that I will always remember.
Ciao,
Holly Paucke

 
Before I left for Italy, there were many places I knew, or hoped, I would visit during my time here. Belgium was not one of them. That being said, I sure am grateful we decided to take a trip there this past weekend. I had no intentions of ever going to Belgium; not because I thought I wouldn’t like it, but because I had no idea it was such an amazing country so it had never been on my radar. There was a group of fourteen of us that decided to go to Brussels for the entire weekend. Our flights left at 6:55 A.M. on Friday and 9:20 P.M. on Sunday, so we had as much time as we could possibly fit into the three short days we had to spend in the beautiful town.

It was everything we could’ve asked for and 100 times more than we expected. If you don’t know – like we didn’t until very soon before we left – Belgium is known for their waffles, fries, and beer. What better way to fully experience a country than by eating/drinking all they have to offer in their famously delicious foods and drinks? There is no better way, so we did just that. It’s alarming the amount of waffles and fries I consumed in that short weekend but I wouldn’t do it any other way if I had the chance. It had been so long since we had eaten “American” food so we obviously jumped at every chance to eat French fries, which pair very nicely with the delicious hamburgers Brussels has to offer. The waffles were unlike anything I had ever tasted. No matter what you prefer, there is something for everyone: waffles with chocolate syrup, fruit, powdered sugar, white chocolate, Nutella, the list could go on forever.

Overall, the trip was a complete success and I think I speak for everyone when I say we would definitely go back in a heartbeat if the opportunity arose. It was so nice to be in a city where a majority of the citizens are fluent in English and the food and stores are familiar. As much as we all adore Italy, sometimes it’s refreshing to have a tiny taste of life that we’re accustomed to. I can’t wait to see what else the rest of Europe has to offer!

Riley Pitman

This past Tuesday, we embarked on our first overnight field trip of the semester. We managed to cover some serious ground in our two-day adventure. Our journey started bright and early Tuesday morning when we journeyed by bus to Assisi. We went on a guided tour of the Basilica of St. Francis. I had never heard of St. Francis prior to this trip but as we learned about him on Tuesday, I was quite amazed. He was born into a wealthy family and lived a privileged life.  However, later in life he discovered faith and became a beggar in the streets, an image of the humility of Christ. The basilica’s walls ornately told the story of his incredible life, stunning all who see it.

After our time in Assisi, we left for Perguia, home of the Perugina Chocolate factory. For all of the chocolate lovers of the world like myself, this is the place to go. We learned about the complete process of how chocolate is made and we were even able to take a tour of the factory to watch the employees at work. And of course, then there was the free sample part, in which no one in our group took for granted.
Our final stop of our overnight excursion was Orvieto, a beautiful little town that sits atop of massive hilltops. We had to take an elevator up from the road to reach the town and the view from the top was incredible. The town was so quaint and quiet and it proposed such a soothing atmosphere. We had such an amazing time walking around exploring and taking in the small town feel. The trip concluded with a stop to a lovely little vineyard run by a family. Our guide walked us through the wine making process and even allowed us to have a little sample. Italy continues to amaze me every single day. I love that this program allows us to travel and explore different towns that always seem to prove themselves to be hidden gems.  We had such an amazing time on our overnight trip through the region of Umbria that I most certainly will never forget.

Alex Vallett

My how the time flies! It is incredibly hard to believe that we have called Ariccia, Italy our home for almost one whole month now. I know that my fellow students would agree when I say that we have loved every second and feel more comfortable everyday.
This week has definitely been a fun adventure for us, and one of my favorite weeks of all. What really sticks out to me the most this week is the vineyard that we were able to visit on Wednesday.
Trebotti, meaning three brothers in Italian, is a quaint vineyard tucked in the hills of Teverina. The views were unbelievable and the vineyards themselves were just like I had always imagined; perfectly straight rows of grape vines grew on wire racks, while deep colored grapes hung in bunches off of the vines. We were given a little bit of information about the particular vineyard we were looking at, such as the type of grape and the harvest time, and then we got to sample the grapes. And let me tell you, they were some of the best grapes I have ever had!

After touring the vineyards and sampling the grapes, we headed inside to see the equipment used in the process of wine making and got to sample some wine that was fermenting. Of course, the best part of all was the actual wine tasting. We were able to try multiple wines, both white and red, and learned a little bit about the flavor and type of grapes used to make certain wines.  We also had a lovely aperitivo to go along with our wine tasting. At the conclusion of the tasting and tour, we were able to purchase our favorite types of wines as well as special jellies that are also made at the vineyard.
Overall, Wednesday was such a fun day and an experience that I’m sure none of us will ever forget. I mean, how many times do you get the opportunity to tour a prestigious vineyard and try their expensive wines? We learned so much and had fun in the process. I would say that Wednesday was a success!
Until next time,
Meagan Vordenbaum
 

Since the last post to the blog was on Wednesday, I guess it is up to me to cover our field trip to Pompeii at the end of last week.
Our journey on Thursday began at 6:30 am at the bus stop down the street from the Palace. With everyone feeling their absolute best, we ventured down to Mt. Vesuvius for a morning hike to the crater. It’s not the easiest of tasks when everyone is sleep deprived, but we all made it and can now say we have hiked to the top of an active volcano!
It was then on to Pompeii to tour the ruins of the city buried by the volcano we had just stood atop. The entire trip was very eerie. The most harrowing thing about our time there were the casts of the bodies that were preserved in the volcanic rock. Being able to see the bodies frozen in time in the same places where we were standing made the impact of the experience that much more touching. Seeing Vesuvius lurking over the Forum only added to that.
Changing gears from the melancholy parts of the visit, I think my favorite facts that our guide shared with the group were the two concerts that have taken place in Pompeii, Pink Floyd and Frank Sinatra.
Aside from the modern events that have happened at the site, the most amazing thing to me were the roads. The stepping stones to cross the streets during rains, and the small white stones dispersed throughout the large black ones on the roads for reflectors were astounding. The Romans really were way ahead of their time and it is mind blowing to see in person on all of these trips.
Our day on Vesuvius and in Pompeii was just the latest field trip that I consider our best trip yet. But, as mentioned in previous blog posts, that title is never held for long.
Eric Callaghan

To say that these past three weeks have flown by would be an understatement. With packed schedules, field trips and school work, we have never stopped moving the entire trip, and I honestly don’t remember the last time I had a full night’s sleep, but I wouldn’t change a thing about it. This trip has already exceeded my expectations in every way possible, and I can’t imagine how it could get any better — but I know it will. We’ve traveled to the towns around Ariccia in the Castelli Romani and learned about the rich history in each one. We’ve traveled to see the sights and splendors of Rome including the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps and of course the Vatican. Some of us have already had the chance and were able to travel to Greece this past weekend. Needless to say, we are taking every opportunity to make the most of the twelve short weeks we get to spend here in the Chigi Palace.
Today, we had the chance to visit the Villa D’Este, which is a Renaissance villa and garden built in the mid 1500s by Cardinal D’Este. This garden features soaring fountains, breathtaking views of the cities below, and architecture only seen in movies. We had the chance to explore the gardens on our own and stood in awe as we learned that none of the fountains use electricity, they are all powered by hydraulics and pressure. I think it’s safe to say that today was one of the greatest days we’ve had so far; but then again, we say that every day.
-Christopher Vought

Today is a pretty big day for all of us here at the Palace. We are all buzzing around; cleaning, preparing, organizing, giving and taking orders. While everyone is in the early stages of excitement and nervousness, I have slipped away to fill you in on the night which will most likely be one we never forget. As of yesterday afternoon, we have been in preparation for this evening’s big event. We have been dividing up food and drinks and who gets what, etc. People have been running to the grocery store, the bakery, the butcher and the fruit stand (P.S. we are putting all of our Italian lessons to good use!) all in hopes of putting on the best aperitivo this program has ever seen. In American terms means appetizers or simple little snacks to eat before the main course. Now, we aren’t talking chips and salsa with some rolls and butter. No way. The Italians take a lot of things seriously, and food is most definitely one of those. Italians make American appetizers look awful to be quite honest. Now don’t get me wrong. I love Olive Garden breadsticks and a blooming onion from Outback as much as the next girl, but Italians seem to put something special into everything they cook, even if it just a small portion of the meal. So far, being here for a little over three weeks I have experienced an aperitivo twice and both times it was amazing. Now that I think about it, I do not think I have had a bad meal since I have here in Italy. Well, except maybe the ones I cook myself… But; that is a different story altogether. Hopefully this night will be filled with good people, good memories, and really good food. I hope we dig into our inner Italian and present our Italian guests with not only some finger foods but the genuine gratitude that we have for their culture and lifestyle. But sadly, this blog post must end because I cannot be slacking on my end of the cleaning! Ciao and chi chi!
-Ellis Baxter

This past week was one that I wasn’t expecting, and I doubt one that my fellow classmates were either. Day 1 and 2 of the week were booked solid with our first real class days. Then, Wednesday came around. We gathered in the common room at 7 AM sharp, with our Roma passes in hand. All of us were thrilled to be spending the day in one of the most historic cities in the world. Little did we know we would walk almost 10 miles that day!
Once we arrived in Rome, we began our day at the Coliseum. The majority of us had never been there before. Immediately, we were filled with amazement at the size and splendor of it. It is HUGE! The thought of men building this gigantic arena with the equipment of their time is surreal. It is almost as big as Jordan Hare Stadium!

As we left the Coliseum, we moved on to see the only three triumphal arches left in Rome, Caesar’s burial site, and the Wedding Cake (obviously my favorite because it represents cake) to name a few of our stops along the way. Our day was JAM-packed with history, laughter, lots of pictures, and good food.
By the time Thursday rolled around, we were exhausted. But we knew there were more places to see and more history to be learned. We pulled through and began our 7-ish mile journey through the rest of Roma! We did a lot that day, but mainly toured through the Vatican (with what seemed like the rest of the world), and it was breathtakingly beautiful.
After our field trips to Rome ended, I realized something. Even though we were all hot, sweaty, and exhausted, we still had a great time, and there was no where else I would rather have been. Traveling through the city together brought laughter and memories that I will never forget. I can see the kind of relationships forming between all of us that will be lifelong, and because of that, I am thrilled to see what the rest of the semester brings. Ciao!
Jena