Abroad in Florence, Italy!: Traveling the Tuscan Coast with Friends, Food and Love!

This past weekend, I traveled along the Mediterranean Sea and went to the cities of Talamone, Baratti and Butteri. This trip was a SAI (Study Abroad Program) inclusive trip (I didn't have to pay for anything). It was so much fun getting away from the busy and loud city of Florence and go to the countryside. I left on Friday and we took a 3 hour bus ride to Talamone. During the whole bus ride, I slept. When we got to the hotel, we got settled. I roomed with Alexis and Brittany and Celia and Sara (They are both from Texas and they are hilarious) were right next door to us. Oh yes in our hotel room, our toilet folded up so we could have more room in the bathroom, very unique.

We all got back on the bus and rode to the central part of Talamone. The sun was setting and we got some awesome photos.

Alexis, Me and Brittany

Alexis and I

Roommate LOVE! <3

Alexis, Me, Brittany looking away in the sunset!

That night we ended up eating dinner at 8pm at our hotel. Let me tell you, I was hungry but I don't think I was ready for all of the food that they were going to serve us. We ended up getting a 5 course meal and I tried everything. I was FULL!! Here are the pictures of all of the courses:

Brucchette and other appetizers

Bean Soup

Seafood and Noodles

Chicken and Eggplant

Tiramisu

Saturday:
I had breakfast at the hotel in the morning before starting off my day. The breakfast was amazing and I just kept on eating and eating because it was all included. They even had individual packets of nutella, LOVE! After breakfast we were on our way for a guided tour of Baratii. There is an archaeological park there and we got a lovely tour about the history of the park.

After the tour we got to go to the beach. It was a beautiful day outside to lay out in the sun. I had to bring my Italian notebook along because I had a quiz on Monday, so I studied for that a little bit on the beach. I also went looking for shells and pretty rocks, but there were no shells on this beach. When I was looking for rocks, I ended up slipping on a slippery rock and fell on my butt. I scratched my arm up (like a quarter size scratch) and I currently have a bruise on my butt from falling on the rocks. I am good though, I didn't have to go to the doctor.

After a whole day at the beach, we head out to dinner at a Ristorante called "II Bottegone". This restaurant had a gorgeous view of the Mediterranean Sea and it was on top of the hills. This time we only got a 3 course meal, but it was still delicious.

Risotto Rice with Seafood

Tiramisu again! :)

Yup the food was amazing!! After eating dinner, everyone went down to the sea to look at the fancy and expensive boats and we saw some amazing yachts!! Then our trip leaders paid for everyone to have gelato after our big meal (hey it was free, I was not going to pass up an opportunity).

Sunday:
I had breakfast again and then I was off to an equestrian show in Butteri. The equestrian show was located at on gorgeous land with also a hotel and restaurant. I got to ride a horse after the show.

After the horse/cow show we had lunch at a restaurant called Fattoria "Le Guardiole" and we had organic food. The restaurant/spa/hotel that we ate at had a gorgeous view and I loved the color of the building (coral and white).

Here was our lunch:

Random Pictures/Memories from the Week:

WE GOT ANOTHER ROOMMATE!!! :) Her name is Lia and she is from Massachusetts. She is a Fashion Merchandising Major and wants to be a buyer at a store someday. We went to a restaurant that our tour guide Martina suggested to us because it is really good. We even mentioned her name and we got a discount (was 70 euros, but we only had to pay 60 euros) and free tiramisu.

Roommate Dinner!!

Gnocchi (Soft chicken dumplings)

I think it was on a Friday night, and I went out to celebrate my friend Celia's Birthday!!! We went to Dantes to eat and then sat on the bridge and talked!!