I am taking an Italian history and culture class this summer in Florence (Firenze)!  I am so excited to begin this adventure.  I will be learning about Dante, Michelangelo and Da Vinci, among others, while living in the city where they lived!  I will see the same buildings they saw, view their art in person, walk the same streets where they walked, I will breath the same air!  Classes are held in the mornings.  We will tour many of the museums as a class with a knowledgeable guide.  I can’t think of a better way to see them for the first time!

I have my own little studio apartment in the old city center of Florence.  This will be my home for the next five weeks  It is in a great location in an old building.  It is within 15 minutes of all of the main attractions and very close to the Duomo.  Grocery, library, the student center, a hospital and loads of good places to eat are very close by. There is even dollar store just around the corner!

The Tuscan countryside is known for it’s great beauty and wine.  I am very excited to visit the medieval villages of Siena and San Gimignano.  Both are UNESCO sites, as is Florence, because they retain the character of their medieval origins.  With the class I will also visit Chianti and Rome.  Everyone I know who has been to Florence has fallen in love with it!  It has amazing architecture; the beautiful bridge over the Arno River, Brunelleschi’s Dome, quaint cobbles streets, fountains and statues everywhere!  I can’t wait to get out there with my camera!

I look forward to exploring Italian history and culture and very much hope to make a connection with the Italian people.   It is my desire to feel like a temporary citizen of Florence, rather than a tourist.  I am excited to be able to photograph the beautiful ancient buildings, the lovely landscapes and the people of Toscano.

Photo of Venice by Tom Wheatly from unsplash.com