Italia Part I: Bologna, Florence and the way to Rome

Since this was such a huge trip I am going to be splitting it into two sections. This is the vacation I took just before the Easter holidays, so as you can clearly tell, I am way behind on my updates and I apologize but your going to have to live with it.

So after arriving back in Graz from Vienna on the last train, which pulled into Graz at 11:30 I scurried back home, packed my things, which by the way all fit into my puma bag, 5 days worth of clothes and products, needless to say I am a champion. As I lay my sleep head down to catch some ZZZ's for the up coming trip I realized no one had written down directions to and from all the cities we were going to so I spent a good hour and a half coping google map directions to rightfully secure my title as chief navigator. In addition to those responsibilities I also had the distinct pleasure of coordinating our living situations in each city.

After a long night of research Tommy (my roommate) and I awoke on departure day and met our fellow voyagers Sam from Australia and Etienne and Leticia both from France at the car rental agency to pick up our automobile. Eager to begin our journey we raced to what we thought was our car (a Ford Focus station wagon) only to be severely disappointed instead receiving a Mitsubishi Colt, aka tiny for five really tall people.


Once we managed to squeeze into our vehicle we headed off for Italy. Of course at the boarder we needed to take a picture so we all got out and a police officer offered to take our picture but at first I thought he was telling us to get back to our car so after a really awkward exchange of conversation we finally attained our picture and were officially in Italia enjoying our vacation.


Our first stop was Bologna. We decided to stretch our legs, grab something to eat and simply enjoy the city for a few hours. It was gorgeous, with covered sidewalks, fountains and a very Medieval feeling to the city. After that quick pit stop we refilled our tank and were on our way to Florence.


Since there was more traffic then expected we decided to call the hostel to let them know we were going to be late. He assured us it would be no problem and we continued on our way. Once we made it to Florence we of course got lost and decided to park the car, orientate ourselves and go to the hostel and find a garage for the car later. After finding our hostel we rang the bell and after not hearing a response called. They said they would be down to get us, long story short, the hostel I booked for our first night in Florence didn't exist.

Many of you who know me well know this would have seemed like a national emergency seeing as it was 9pm in a foreign country and there are five of us with no place to sleep. So after being semi-kidnapped by another owner of a youth hostel he arranged another hotel for us to stay in for the same price aka a god-sent. After calming my nerves we decided to go out to eat and rest up for the next day.

The next day we were on the prowl for food and started exploring the city by first standing in line to climb the dome of the Duomo. We waited for what seemed like ever but the views and the experience were totally worth the 8 euro.

We decided to cut out the world famous museums in Florence because the lines were epically long and were also quite expensive. So we settled for going grocery shopping and having a picnic in the park. Lucky for us Sam has a relative who lives in Florence and he invited us to his home for dinner. We were all very excited to experience a really Italian meal along with the famous Italian hospitality.

But before then we had some exploring to do so we made our way through Piazza della Signoria and climbed to Piazzale Michelangelo to experience one of the most breathtaking views I have ever witnessed. Florence at sunset. It was a dream.






On our way to Sam's Uncle Filippo's we stopped to pick up some flowers and were on our way to a huge Italian feast. After introducing ourselves we were welcomed into Filippo and Lucia's beautiful two story apartment. There was so much food we had no idea what to do with ourselves! We were served a salad, a pasta dish, potatoes, bread, cheeses, sliced meats, and STEAK, it was huge and beautiful and my first experience with quality food in months. For desert we had strawberries and cream and of course homemade schnapps my favorite was chocolate.

We were barely able to thank Filippo and Lucia enough for their kindness but after managing just that we rolled ourselves out onto the streets and into our beds exhausted from the huge day we had endured.

The next day we got an early start and made our way to Rome with pit stops in San Gimignano and Santa Liberata. San Gimignano was our replacement for Pisa, we were told by Filippo that the city is the tower and there is nothing else to see there so we may as well not waste the gas to get there. It took us nearly the entire day but we finally ended up in Rome with a free place to park (a miracle)and our hostel existed, one out of two isn't bad. Needless to say I was pleased.

Up Next: Italia Part II: Rome and Siena

The Stonebergs in Vienna

The weekend after Lisa came to visit me in Graz I had the most fortunate news that two friends from home were going to be in Vienna and I was not about to let them wonder around Vienna alone so I made sure to figure out when they were coming and show them 'my town'. The night before, Friday, was the birthday celebration of my buddy here in Graz. So we went to a Cuban bar and had a few drinks, I was finally able to remove the vice grip that I have placed on my wallet and paid for an amazing rum and coke. It was so good. Anyway, since I am an attention whore and like to embarrass people, especially the ones I know, I decided it was a good idea to get the entire bars attention and make them all sing Happy Birthday. It was great, I was using those conducting skills Mr. Standstrom taught us way back in 5th grade band class and I led the jolly chorus to its conclusion. Needless to say Kati, my buddy was really embarrassed (because especially in Austria, no one would EVER do that). We then proceeded to 3 monkeys (a club here in Graz) and drank the night away.

After awaking and shaking off the remains of the night before aka my hangover and drink stained shirt I hopped on a train to Vienna to meet Lauren and Brette, sisters who go to the U and are also members of my favorite sorority Alpha Chi Omega! After enduring the two and a half hour train ride to Vienna it was a beautiful day so I walked from the train station in the south of Vienna to the North train station where Lauren and Brette were to be dropped off.

After finding the girls and excitedly greeting each other for the first time since December we made our way to the girls' youth hostel, got them settled and then were off to meet my host family. Funny side story, as I was in full tour guide mode, and describing some Viennese historical fact, I was crossing the street and looking directly at the girls and I some how managed to run directly into a van. Like full on body slammed this automobile, of course my reaction was to scream at the top of my lungs, "I JUST RAN INTO A VAN! OMG!" It was quite humorous and we giggled all the way to my host family's apartment. Sad for us my host family already had guests arriving so we were not able to experience my host mothers amazing cooking and hospitality but I was glad I was able to show my friends such important people from my life in Vienna.


Once we hit the mean streets of Vienna we walked around the city center taking in the sights of Stephansdom, the Hofburg, Karlsplatz, etc. After getting hungry walking around I suggested we eat a Centimeter a fairly cheap place. We ordered and waited forever for our food, after finishing we waited a good hour and a half for the bill. Getting fed up I went to the bar with a 50 euro note and attempted to pay but they told us to wait yet again. Completely frustrated we left after waiting an additional 30 minutes. I feel we were justified but Karma later made me pay dearly for such actions. (albeit 2-3 months later)

After dining and ditching we made our way to Lisa's apartment and had a coffee and decided to call it a night since we were all quite tired. So I walked the girls back to their hostel and then met Lisa at a bar for a quick drink then we went back to her apartment and rested our sleepy heads.

The next day we met up again and went to Schonbrunn, Oper, we ate Sachertorte and sipped coffee at Cafe Central, grabbed some ice cream, hung out with Lisa in the park for a bit, at at a calzone place and then the girls saw me off for my train back to Graz and they continued on their way to Salzburg. It was so great getting to show my city to friends from back home. I had such a great time with the girls and I hope they did as well.

Up Next: My Italian Escape!