Sisters and Sydney in Italy

A 9-day adventure by Darlene, Sydney & Holly Read more

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Trip start
January 15, 2025
Sisters and Sydney in Italy
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Day 1
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
☀️ 45 °F
Altitude: 745 ft
United States Charlotte Douglas International Airport 35.220097, -80.94705835°13’12” N 80°56’49” W
All my bags are packed…🛩️
January 15 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F
The time has finally come to bring Sydney for her study abroad semester in Florence, Italy. She was accepted to Florence University of the Arts where she will take more business classes and travel to different European cities for weekend adventures.

We enjoyed a quick check in and then relaxed at Club CLT while we waited to board our first leg of the trip. Once on board, we tried to force ourselves to adjust to the 6 hour time difference, but it was extremely challenging.Read more
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Day 2
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 6:43 AM
🌙 28 °F
Altitude: 2,001 ft
Spain Madrid–Barajas Airport 40.489687, -3.59140540°29’23” N 3°35’29” W
Lounge Layover in Madrid
January 16 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 28 °F
Thankfully, our only layover was in Madrid. Good thing we had plenty of time over our 3 hour layover, because the airport is huge, and it was a workout carrying our heavy backpacks. After following the blue signs for connecting flights and passing through passport control, we settled into the Plaza Mayor Lounge after passing by lots of duty free shopping and restaurants. Even though we arrived in the early morning hours, the airport was bustling with fellow travelers.

Once in the lounge we enjoyed the breakfast pastries, sandwiches, charcuterie, champagne, and freshly ground coffee while we recharged our devices and waited for our final flight to Milan, where we will spend one night and meet up with Ellen and Holly who are coming from Amsterdam.Read more
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Day 2
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 11:15 AM
⛅ 43 °F
Altitude: 354 ft
Italy Linate Airport 45.460712, 9.27846245°27’39” N 9°16’42” E
Made it to Milan 🇮🇹
January 16 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 43 °F
A short 2-hour flight to Milan to meet up with Ellen and Holly. We got all of our bags and braved the Milan Metro. We definitely got our workout lugging our bags through the station.
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Day 2
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM
☀️ 45 °F
Altitude: 476 ft
Italy Torrente Seveso 45.489655, 9.20076345°29’23” N 9°12’3” E
Arrival and a Milanese Dinner
January 16 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F
After the workout of getting to the Crowne Plaza, we were welcomed with arrival drinks since one of our rooms wasn’t quite ready. Our bartender was a Filipino who has been in Italy for 20 years and recommended a local wine from the Dolomites. All of the staff at the Crowne Plaza were wonderful and attentive. We were upgraded to balcony rooms and had a nice view of Milan and the northern Italian mountains.

The hotel made a few recommendations for dinner and we settled on Il Tavolino, for some traditional Milanese cuisine. We had the house red, which was a Barbera, and bruschetta and a charcuterie board to start. Sydney definitely had the most flavorful meal with her truffle pasta. We ended our dinner with a limoncello.Read more
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Day 2
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
🌙 39 °F
Altitude: 456 ft
Italy Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II 45.465645, 9.18952545°27’56” N 9°11’22” E
Milan on Foot
January 16 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 39 °F
After a filling dinner, we decided to find some of the sites in Milan on foot. We stopped at the fashion area of Via Manzoni, then made our way to Teatro alla Scala, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza del Duomo, and finally the stunning Milan Cathedral.

Even though it was a cold evening, we still made a stop for gelato 🍨 at Grom. I had an affogato and everyone else had different flavors of gelato.

Shockingly, we did not do any shopping on our first day…this won’t last long!Read more
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Day 2
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 9:01 PM
🌙 37 °F
Altitude: 420 ft
Italy Stazione Milano Piazza Repubblica 45.477718, 9.19890545°28’40” N 9°11’56” E
Napiz Milano
January 16 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 37 °F
Walking all over the streets of Milan in the cold brought on an appetite. Since our first restaurant was technically a late lunch, we decided we needed to get some pizza. 🍕 After a quick search, we stumbled across Nàpiz Milano since it was on our way home.

As soon as we sat down, the waiter brought us some Prosecco and of course had to try another house wine. The waiter convinced us that we needed to order 2 pizzas, so we ordered a Margherita and a Diavolo which were both delicious. I guess when you don’t order dessert, they automatically bring you limoncello. Our waiter decided we needed another after dinner drink which was a cantaloupe tasting aperitif.Read more
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Day 3
Friday, January 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM
☀️ 37 °F
Altitude: 456 ft
Italy Milano Centrale Railway Station 45.486271, 9.20373745°29’11” N 9°12’13” E
Scoping the Milano Centrale Stazione
January 17 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 37 °F
Attempting to get over the jet lag, we got up at a normal vacation hour and after a European breakfast, we made a dry-run for the Milano Centrale Train Stazione.

We broke down and did some train station shopping before boarding the speed train to Florence.Read more
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Day 3
Friday, January 17, 2025 at 11:30 AM
☀️ 39 °F
Altitude: 486 ft
Italy Torrente Seveso 45.489697, 9.2012745°29’23” N 9°12’5” E
Brekkie across the street
January 17 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 39 °F
We love finding random places to grub and thankfully this gem was across from our hotel. We all had the fresh cornetto with pistachio creme. OMG…deliciousness!!! And these older Italian men…mamma mia!!!Read more
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Day 3
Friday, January 17, 2025 at 1:25 PM
☀️ 45 °F
Altitude: 456 ft
Italy Milano Centrale Railway Station 45.486271, 9.20373745°29’11” N 9°12’13” E
Frecciarossa Speed Train to Florence
January 17 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 45 °F
We say goodbye to Milan and head to Florence where Sydney will be attending Florence University of the Arts.

Milano Centrale was a short walk from our hotel where we boarded the Frecciarossa speed train for a 2-hour ride to Florence. When other travelers recommended packing light for train travel, I definitely see why! The four of us were like the Hot Mess Express as we tried to get situated on the train.Read more
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Day 3
Friday, January 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
🌙 45 °F
Altitude: 236 ft
Italy Museo Leonardo da Vinci 43.774853, 11.25876243°46’29” N 11°15’32” E
Arriving in Florence
January 17 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 45 °F
Another luggage trek to the VRBO and thankfully we were on the 1st floor, but they count the ground floor as zero, so we only had to bring our luggage up one flight of stairs.

We are excited to be just five minutes from the Duomo! After we got checked in and freshened up, we made our way through the Piazza del Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio before going to our tiramisu and pasta cooking class.

We also added Sydney’s school apartment to our evening to scope out the area. She will live here til May.Read more
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Day 3
Friday, January 17, 2025 at 7:01 PM
🌙 43 °F
Altitude: 207 ft
Italy Oltrarno 43.768242, 11.24937243°46’6” N 11°14’58” E
Tiramisu and Pasta Cooking Class
January 17 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 43 °F
We made it to our tiramisu and pasta making class at IL Cantione with Chef Antonio and were welcomed with Prosecco…which was crisp and unlimited!!! We met our fellow chef students who were from Arkansas, Colorado, Toronto, and California. This was such a memorable and enriching experience. We now feel confident and inspired to make fresh pasta and tiramisu when we get back. Who knew tiramisu was this easy…why haven’t we been making more of this at home???

After we finished up, we moved next door to the restaurant to feast on our creations!Read more
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Day 3
Friday, January 17, 2025 at 9:37 PM
🌙 43 °F
Altitude: 207 ft
Italy Oltrarno 43.76825, 11.24934543°46’6” N 11°14’58” E
Mangia! Mangia!
January 17 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 43 °F
Feasting on our handmade creations, spinach and ricotta ravioli and tagliatelle pasta and then our tiramisu for dessert.

After our memorable dinner, we headed to Friends Bar with our new friends and Chef Antonio for a nightcap before heading to our apartment.Read more
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Day 4
Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:38 AM
☁️ 48 °F
Altitude: 259 ft
Italy Florence Cathedral 43.772992, 11.25648743°46’23” N 11°15’23” E
463 Steps
January 18 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
We took on the Duomo Challenge and climbed the narrow, curvy, and steep 463 steps up to the top of the Duomo. Yes, our legs were burning, but totally worth the breathtaking views from the top.
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Day 4
Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM
☁️ 48 °F
Altitude: 220 ft
Italy Medicea Laurenziana Library 43.774342, 11.2549243°46’28” N 11°15’18” E
Saturday Shots in the City
January 18 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
A few pictures from walking the city in between shopping trips. We came across a wine window, the Fiorentino store, as well as all the statues all over Florence.
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Day 4
Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 8:29 PM
☁️ 48 °F
Altitude: 197 ft
Italy Cappelle Medicee 43.775875, 11.25417843°46’33” N 11°15’15” E
The best appetites made by shopping
January 18 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
After the Duomo climb, we hit up Massimo Leather, so I could introduce Holly and Ellen to my friend Massimo who I found 2 years ago when Sydney and I were on our Mediterranean cruise. He was a delight as always, and we all ended up with beautiful handbags and jackets.

We worked up such an appetite, and found a restaurant just off the Piazza San Lorenzo and had a feast. Afterwards, Sydney and Ellen walked to the Fiorentino Stadium to buy tickets for the game and Holly and I roamed the city trying to find the Leather School off the Piazza Santa Croce.

All that walking gave us an appetite for some Florentine Steak not far from the apartment. We remembered this man who wanted us to eat there and he was so welcoming, we decided to come back this evening.

They were delighted to have us in for dinner where we had tagliatelle porcini pasta, spicy spaghetti, grilled vegetables, fried artichokes, and the tomahawk steak. We finished off dinner with a tiramisu.Read more
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Day 5
Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 12:19 PM
⛅ 54 °F
Altitude: 322 ft
Italy Piazzale Michelangelo 43.762974, 11.26504743°45’47” N 11°15’54” E
Trekking up to Piazzele Michaelangelo
January 19 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
Sunday morning and Sydney and I went to our first mass in Italy! They only spoke in Latin and Italian, but we were able to follow along. Afterwards, Sydney and Ellen headed off to a Fiorentina futbol match, while Holly and I made our way to Piazzale Michelangelo for some of the best aerial views of Florence. We found the Aperol VIP Bar and enjoyed some wine and snacks. Our new favorite chip is made by San Carlo!Read more
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Day 5
Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 1:21 PM
⛅ 54 °F
Altitude: 203 ft
Italy Museo Horne 43.768045, 11.26017843°46’5” N 11°15’37” E
More walking and a little snack
January 19 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
After the climb to the Piazzale Michelangelo we headed back down to the city to find a snack. We stumbled across La Buchetta on our way to find the Leather School. Since it was Sunday, it was closed, but it is definitely on our list of things to see before we leave!

While we were waiting for Sydney and Ellen to wrap up the futbol game, Holly and I trekked around the Ponte Vecchio and found some little gems and a market while we were walking around.

We also discovered an amazing cashmere store…and were not disappointed!!!Read more
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Day 5
Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 9:41 PM
☁️ 46 °F
Altitude: 167 ft
Italy Firenze Santa Maria Novella Railway Station 43.773972, 11.24783743°46’26” N 11°14’52” E
Meal of a Lifetime
January 19 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F
Quite possibly the best dinners ever at Osteria Pastella, about 10 minutes from the VRBO with the pasta cheese wheel. I can’t say enough about this place from the service to the flavorful food!

Of course, as in most restaurants here, they brought us a Prosecco to start. Come antipasti we had grilled octopus and a pecorino cheese and vegetable dish, come primero la tagliatelle flambé with shaved truffle in the gran Pandana cheese wheel, and come segundo we opted for the pappardelle with wild boar and the duck breast and leg. Come dolce, an amazing deconstructed tiramisu and a raspberry tortellini.

What an amazing experience!!! Definitely a meal I won’t forget!Read more
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Day 6
Monday, January 20, 2025 at 8:19 AM
☁️ 45 °F
Altitude: 135 ft
Italy Palazzo Spini Feroni 43.769255, 11.25123843°46’9” N 11°15’4” E
Catching the Sunrise
January 20 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F
Sydney and I got up early to catch a beautiful sunrise over the Ponte Vecchio, found the FUA office, and had a panino and caffè latte from our favorite spot, Brunellesco’s, just on the corner of the Piazza Filippo Brunelleschi, which unfortunately looked like it had been vandalized. Sydney believes there must be a story behind that.

We went back to the apartment to get Ellen and found one of the luggage stores to grab extra bags needed from all the shopping!

I committed to the braids and prepped for our second climb up the Bell Tower.Read more
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Day 6
Monday, January 20, 2025 at 10:39 AM
☁️ 48 °F
Altitude: 233 ft
Italy Florence Cathedral 43.773136, 11.25572243°46’23” N 11°15’21” E
Piazza del Duomo Building Tours
January 20 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
The Brunellesci Pass gave us access to all the buildings of the Piazza del Duomo for 3 days. We did the Duomo climb a few days ago, and today decided to do there rest. We had another climb up Giotto’s Bell Tower, The Baptistry, and The Reparata, which housed the tomb of Filippo Brunellesci.

More breathtaking views from the top of the Bell Tower and definitely the closest view of the Duomo architecture.

There were a few restorations being completed in many of the buildings. It’s hard to fathom these buildings were built from the 1200-1400’s!!!Read more
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Day 6
Monday, January 20, 2025 at 11:59 AM
☁️ 52 °F
Altitude: 187 ft
Italy Basilica di San Lorenzo 43.775275, 11.25431343°46’31” N 11°15’16” E
Grubbing on our last day in Firenze
January 20 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
Massimo recommended a place around the corner from his leather shop, but when we first tried to go, there was a super long line, so we went right when they opened and now know why the line is always out the door. The Trattoria Sergio Gozzi opened in 1915 and looked like one of those places that changed their menu daily. We could see the Nonna cooking through the window and as soon as we walked in we could already smell the light truffle aroma.

On our way to the Piazzale Michelangelo to meet the Chianti Wine Tour group, we got side tracked with more shops, and of course we had to get official “Florence University” sweatshirts!

After returning from the wine tour, we found a place around the corner from the apartment called Ok Bar for more authentic Italian Cuisine, and we finished off the night with gelato before the challenge of packing!Read more
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Day 6
Monday, January 20, 2025 at 3:24 PM
☁️ 52 °F
Altitude: 367 ft
Italy Santa Lucia e Paletro 43.573937, 10.98208743°34’26” N 10°58’56” E
Le Caprine
January 20 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F
The first stop on the Chianti Wine Tour was at Le Caprine, a family owned goat and olive farm and winery. This place was very rustic and we met Matteo and his brother who shared the history of their farm. The tour started by meeting the goats and then the wine making room. We then made our way to the tasting room.

We tasted 3 of their goat cheeses paired with the wines along with the olive oil and chestnut honey.

We left the farm right at sunset and were pleasantly surprised by nature with a double rainbow. Looks like we will have good luck for the rest of the year!!!

Then back on the bus to the next winery.Read more
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Day 6
Monday, January 20, 2025 at 5:19 PM
☁️ 48 °F
Altitude: 246 ft
Italy Tenuta Torciano 43.51025, 11.08181143°30’37” N 11°4’55” E
Tenuta Torciano Winery
January 20 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
The next stop was more in the San Gimignano area at a larger family owned winery, Tenuta Torciano. Our guide Lorenzo, shared some of the history as we tasted 3 wines, 3 olive oils, one of which was a truffle olive oil which was delicious (I bought 3 bottles!!!) and one balsamic vinegar.

This winery only sells to individuals, no stores, and no restaurants. This blows my mind as their wines are incredible, and the views at the winery when we arrived were stunning.

This was such a special trip, so we made sure we could remember it by placing orders to be shipped home!Read more
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Day 7
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 9:44 AM
☁️ 46 °F
Altitude: 197 ft
Italy Opificio delle Pietre Dure 43.77589, 11.25925343°46’33” N 11°15’33” E
Bye, bye VRBO…hello San Giorgio
January 21 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F
It’s check-out time as we get Sydney to her Florence apartment for the semester. First stop was the SAI office to get the keys and then off to the apartment, just on the other side of the river.

He new Italian address is Costa San Giorgio, 70 and she is on the 2nd floor. Thankfully this place has an elevator!!! It’s old and slow, but it sure beats dragging all the luggage up the narrow stairs.

The view out the window is amazing!Read more
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Day 7
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 11:39 AM
☁️ 50 °F
Altitude: 174 ft
Italy Piazza della Signoria 43.767375, 11.25416343°46’3” N 11°15’15” E
Just around the corner
January 21 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Within a few minutes walk from the apartment is Sarori & Dintorni which seems to be a nice, higher end grocery store and then at end of the stairway, is Signorvino, an amazing wine store and restaurant overlooking the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio. Sydney definitely won the study abroad apartment lottery!!!

I felt like it was college move-in day all again, making the “necessities” run and having that meal before leaving. I have a feeling Signorvino’s is going to become a regular dining spot for Sydney and her friends.Read more
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