I figured I should dedicate an entire blog on food around Europe.  Let’s be real, it’s one of our favorite things about traveling.  I didn’t get pictures of everything I ate, though I wish I did so I could show you all of them.  But, to be honest half the time I was so hungry or so excited to ear that taking the time to get a picture did not even cross my mind.  But anyways, here are some of my favorite foods.

Florence/ Italy: 

Of course, most people think of Italy as the “food capital of the world.”  I’d have to agree considering the first thing you associate with Italy is bread, olive oil, cheese, pizza, pasta, etc.  I figured I’d give some advice for people who are planning to study or at least visit.  The overall favorite panini place of us study abroad students is I Due Fratellini. It’s the best whole-in-the-wall panini place and it only costs 2.50-3 euro.  It is also on the same street as the “Jersey Shore Pizza Place” which is also good.  You may also be wondering where on earth  to get gelato considering there are hundreds in Florence.  My favorite is “Gelateria di Neri” on Via dei Neri.  If you want a not-so-typical gelato flavor, get Pistachio.  For some reason they are big on pistachio flavored things here.  It is GOOD. 

London:

London isn’t really known for its cuisine, but they are big on fish and chips.  I am generally not a seafood person whatsoever, but fish n chips is my exception.  We went to the “Sherlock Holmes Restaurant” near Trafalgar Square. Also, if you are visiting London and crave a little sense of home, there are in fact 2 Chipoltles in London.  Of course, we took advantage of that.

Spain:

Spain is known for its “Paella.”  If you don’t know what it is, Paella is essentially a dish of rice and either seafood, vegetables, or chicken. Also, their concept of tapas is pretty interesting.  It is basically a bunch of smaller dishes that you share between your table.

Portugal: 

Believe it or not, the two best pasta dishes I have had were in Portugal.  Just want to give them credit, because you would probably generally not think that Portugal would master pasta dishes.

France:

Let’s just say, being abroad made me go out of my comfort zone.  This was no different when it came to the food.  In France I tried duck, one of its specialties.  I’m glad I did because it was actually really good.  It was just like steak just a little more tender.  For dessert, you must try Macaroons.  They are hard to describe, but they are more like a pastry with a sugary filling in between the two layers.  They kind of look like colored hamburgers.  My favorite is of course, Pistachio. 

Germany (Munich):

Of course, Germans are really into the thick meats like Bratwurst and things like that.  I am not a read thick meat type of person, so I got Spaetzel noodles.  They are basically macaroni and cheese with fried onion bits in it.  It was soooo good. I’m not sure if it’s a common German dish or just a Hofbrauhaus thing.  Regardless, you have to make it to the famous Hofbrauhaus brewery in Munich.

Location: Florence, Italy

Venice!

Back in February, my roommates and I decided to spend a day in Venice for its annual Carnival.  It usually starts 40 days before Easter and ends on Fat Tuesday (the Day before Fat Wednesday).  Masks have always been the central feature of the Venetian Carnival.  We went to the San Marco square where the majority of the celebration was going on.  People dressed up in the craziest masks and full on costumes.  I even saw a person dressed as Jack Sparrow, which made me laugh.  Of course, no matter what time of the year you are in Venice you must shop for Venetian glass!  I got a pretty pair of purple glass earrings, but they have all kinds of things.  You can buy glass old-fashioned perfume bottles, shot glasses, jewelry, and picture frames, among others.  Also, Venice is the first place you usually think of when you hear of Gondolas.  I fulfilled one of the many items on my bucket list by going on a Gondola ride.  It was VERYY cold when we went, especially because this winter was the coldest winter Italy has faced in 25 years.  But, it was still perfect.  It was 25 euro for about 30 minutes.  It was so worth it, especially because it was nighttime and we could see the light shining off of the water.  If you get a chance, definitely do it.  We went with a tour group so we could only spend the day there.  However, If I had more time I definitely would have gone back during the semester.  It is a really cute town and a good place to walk around and appreciate its quaintness.   

Location: Venice, Italy

I was so excited to travel around to other countries that I did not spend much time traveling around Italy.  However, I did see Pisa, Rome, and Venice. 

Pisa:

Pisa is very tourist-y, but definitely somewhere you should go if you are spending a decent amount of time in Italy.  You obviously have to get the classic tourist picture “holding up” the Leaning Tower.  However, what they say about Pisa is true.  You could see the important part of Pisa and be ready to leave in about 3 hours.  I also recommend getting Pizza there, as I had one of the best Pizzas in Pisa.

Rome:

I describe Rome as the New York and Florence as the Boston.  Rome is obviously a lot bigger, so it understandably dirtier and harder to get around.  We weren’t used to taking metros around the city, but in Rome it is a must.  We saw the Basilica, Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon.  The Coliseum is worth taking the time out to see.  The line is usually very long, but if you have a Roma Pass you can skip the line!  The Roma Pass is 25 euro and you can get free public transportation for 3 days, free admission to a few certain attractions (including the Coliseum), and you can skip lines.  So it may definitely be worth it to you, depending on what your plans are.  The Pantheon is cool too, especially if you are into architecture. The Basilica was one of my favorite things in Rome.  After seeing traveling to so many different European cities, it is fair to say that I have seen MANY churches.  The Basilica is one of the biggest and most impressive.  We climbed all the way up to get the view of Rome.  It was unreal.  I don’t have any good pictures of the inside of the church, because it was so big and dim that my little camera couldn’t handle it very well. 

Overall, I liked Rome as far as visiting goes.  But, I am glad I chose Florence because I like the small city vibe it has. 

Location: Rome, Italy

I am sad that my last 3 weeks are here, it seems like yesterday I was arriving in Florence!  It’s crazy to look back and realize how many friends I have made, the amazing places I have seen, and memories I have made.  With that being said, I am in some ways ready to go home and am missing America.  My roommates and I made a list of all the simple things we miss and some of the FIRST things we will do upon arrival in the US.

Obviously, everyone misses family, friends, and pets.  I miss my little Chihuahua so much, and I see so many around Europe is makes me sad sometimes.  I also can’t wait to be able to communicate with people without any problems.  That is something you take for granted until you live in a country where you have to put SO much effort into something as simple as asking for a napkin.

A lot of the things we constantly talked about were related to food.  What can we say, we are college kids so we love our food.  I miss fountain pop and free refills of it! All throughout Italy and Europe in general, most restaurants hand you a can of diet coke and a cup.  I am a firm believer in the difference between bottled, canned, and fountain pop.  This means that if you want another diet coke, you’re going to have to drop another 3-4 euro.  You may say, aren’t there McDonalds’ in all countries.  Yes, there is.  But even in McDonald’s you can’t get free refills.  It’s a bummer for pop lovers. I am also going to love having Heinz ketchup at every restaurant- and for free.  I am a Pittsburgh girl.  With this being said, I find any other brand of ketchup unappealing.  Most countries’ versions of ketchup are not even close.  Even when you can find Heinz, most of the time you have to pay for each packet! This is not good for a ketchup lover.  Also, Italian’s do not believe in “to go” cups in coffee shops.  I was told by a coffee shop owner that if you ask for a to go cup, they instantly know you are American. I get that they have a relaxed mentality, but it always baffled us study abroad students that they apparently are never obligated to be anywhere on time. Speaking of coffee, my roommates always talk about how they miss real-sized coffees.  I drank absolutely no coffee products before moving to Italy.  Now, I am a cappuccino fanatic. We always talk about how we miss real service.  I guess this could theoretically apply to other things besides food, but we always think of this when we are at restaurants.  We have waited a half an hour to get a check before.  And if you ask for separate checks, they will often roll their eyes at you.  In America, they will often bring you your check and ask you whether you want it together or separate, without even asking.  I also can’t wait to go to restaurants and not be worried about being charged for water and rolls.  Finally, I miss…..peanut butter.   They are really big into Nutella over here.  Don’t get me wrong, Nutella is delicious but if you want to purchase peanut butter here there is usually only one kind at each store and a small tub is pretty expensive.

The last thing I cannot wait to do is go to Walmart.  It is frustrating only having small family owned stores or smaller chain stores to shop for food.  My favorite sauce is in one store, but I have to get my favorite cheese in another store.  At least you know, you can go to Walmart and get everything you need in one visit and it is going to be the same price as most other places.

I love many things about Italy, but thinking of these simple things makes us eager to get home.  Not necessarily because they are serious and important, but because it teaches us that even the simplest things can make a home, your home (: 

Location: Florence, Italy

I still have a hard time comprehending that I’m actually here! It has been an amazing two days so far.  My apartment is really nice and right downtown as it takes about 30 seconds to walk to the Duomo.  In fact, I took this picture from one of our bedrooms. Amazing, right?!  

Location: Florence, Italy