What To Pack For a Semester in Italy

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As the school year begins again and students head back to campus (not me unfortunately, as I've already graduated, *sniff sniff*), those going abroad have a reason to get extra excited - they get to travel for four months! Whether it's your first time out of the country or your fifth, a semester abroad tends to be unique to any other travel experience. From studying abroad in Italy in 2011 and working/living in Italy last year, I've come across both the semester essentials and the unnecessary nuisances that take up precious room in your suitcase. Here's what I suggest you pack for a semester in Italy:

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Clothing & Shoes

-Your regular clothes: jeans, tops, night out outfits, sleepwear, etc.

-Church-appropriate clothing (covered shoulders, knees, and toes): you're more than likely to be visiting beautiful churches throughout the country and you'll want to be respectful and abide by the dress code. If not, you risk getting kicked out and scolded by a priest!

-Swimsuit: chances are you'll be headed to a beach, pool, lake, or some form of water. You can buy swimsuits in Italy, but just know that the cuts are generally different from American cuts (the swim bottoms are usually "cheekies" for women, for example).

-Good walking shoes: Sandals and flats are your best bets. If you bring heels, wedges will help you avoid getting your heel stuck (and ruined!) on the cobblestone streets. Converse tend to be popular with Europeans, as are sneakers in general. You can find quality leather boots and shoes in Italy if your cheap H&M shoes fall apart (been there).

-Exercise clothes: for if you somehow find time to make it to the gym (in which case, I'm extremely impressed), or for when you get active outside (like hiking).

Remember that you will experience multiple seasons. The climate is pretty mild in Italy but you will need a coat for mid-November and December. Also consider the weather of other cities when you travel outside of Italy and/or if you plan on doing any outdoor activities (like water sports in the summer or skiing in the winter).

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Electronics

-Your laptop: the "study" part of study abroad still includes homework. Having a laptop is nice for homework and because it's another platform to back up your photos. I knew a few people that used tablets instead of a laptop, but I personally prefer a laptop.

-Unlocked cell phone: If you have a smartphone that can be unlocked, there's really not much use in getting an ancient Italian flip phone for international calls/texts. You can bring your unlocked phone to a phone carrier in Florence and get an Italian SIM card. I used TIM for my carrier and was on a 10 euro/month plan where I got a generous amount of calls/texts (to other Italian numbers) and data. I could add on extra money if I wanted to make calls outside of Italy.

-Adapters: because you'll need to charge your stuff. Bring a couple and write your name on them with a Sharpie. Chances are your roommates will have the same or similar-looking adapters and  you don't want to accidentally have them "stolen" by others by mistake.

-Camera: I love my Nikon D3200! I've used it since my first time abroad and the quality of the DSLR is still leaps and bounds better than my smartphone. (Though I will admit my phone is 2.5 years old...) Any camera will do, even a point-and-shoot. It's nice to have a real camera on hand in case your phone gets lost/stolen.

-Hair tools: if you'll actually use your blow dryer/flat iron/curling iron, then bring it. Just make sure it's the correct voltage so it doesn't die. If you know who your roommates will be, coordinate which hair tools to share - this will save yourself room in your luggage.

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Luggage

-When you think, I'm going to be living somewhere else for four months, your first instinct is to probably pack as much as you can. My advice is to not bring more than a large checked bag, a small roller carry-on, and a backpack through the airport, if possible. Anything more than that and it just becomes a hassle to lug all your bags around. If  you really need to you can buy extra luggage in Europe before you head back home.

-If you're an over-packer or your wardrobe is a little larger than most, I highly recommend Space Bags - I don't know what I'd do without them!

-For weekend trips it's nice to bring just a backpack and/or small duffle.

How To Pack For 2 Weeks In a Carry-On

Florence Duomo from Piazzale Michelangelo

Toiletries

-Toothbrush/toothpaste, shower stuff, face wash, etc.

-Makeup, hair supplies, feminine products (for the ladies)

Know that Italy has everything the US does in terms of toiletries, like toothbrushes, shampoo, etc. They may not have the same name brand you normally use, so if you prefer a certain brand, make sure to bring enough. If you need to stock up on makeup while you're there, there are stores like Sephora and Kiko.

5 Forgettable Things You'll Want To Pack For Long-Term Traveling

Oltre Arno Florence Ponte Vecchio

Accessories

-Reusable water bottle: it's very nice to have it on hand for drinking water at your apartment but also to take it with you out and about. Buying plastic water bottles adds up over time.

-Umbrella: You can find cheap umbrellas all over the place in Europe. In Italy if it's raining there will undoubtedly be men wandering around selling umbrellas (and they will constantly ask you if you want one if you're not using an umbrella). If you have a small compact one though, it will be nice to have on hand when you experience your first Italian downpour.

-Notebook: Studying abroad is a great time to record your memories (and funny things people said!) so you don't forget them down the road. It's also nice to have a physical notebook to write down things like hostel/hotel addresses and phone numbers to have on hand in case your phone dies.

vespas in italy - go seek explore

Other Essentials

-Passport: well, obviously. If you happen to lose your passport make sure to get it replaced ASAP.

-Photo copies of your passport, printed out and on your phone: helpful if you lose your passport. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

While this is specifically geared toward spending a semester in Italy, this is basically what you'll need for a semester anywhere in Europe, with maybe a few tweaks here and there. Feel free to ask me any further questions or leave your thoughts/advice in the comments!

Where To Find Good Food in Florence On A Budget

Florence is one of the best cities for food in Italy (the best in my opinion). The pasta is perfect, the pizza is topped with fresh mozzarella, and the panini are made with crisp bread.

Like any city, not all restaurants are budget-friendly, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality for a cheap eat!

To find delicious Italian staples and save a few euros, go to these places to get your fix for pizza, panini, gelato, pasta, and chicken.

If you’re looking for some of the best Italian food for less…you’re in the right place.

Let's eat!

Pizza: Gusta Pizza | Via Maggio, 46r

It can be hard to find good Italian pizza under five euros, but you can find it at Gusta Pizza, located near Santo Spirito.

For 3.50 for marinara (just sauce and crust) or 4 for margherita (sauce, crust, cheese), the prices are hard to beat.

Pizzas with more toppings aren't even much more. What's even better is if you split your pizza with a friend, then you'll have some extra cash for a glass of wine!

Panini: I Due Frattelini | Via dei Cimatori, 38

Due Frattelini is always packed at lunch time and for good reason. Part of that is because it is a tiny walk-up kiosk, but mostly because the panini are just that good!

And inexpensive, too: 2.50 euro for most sandwiches.

The bread is the best part, warm and crisp. The ingredients are fresh - you see them cut up the tomatoes and mozzarella right in front of you. They serve wine as well!

Gelato: Gelateria La Carraia | Piazza Nazario Sauro, 25

You can't beat tasty gelato for only 1.50 euro!

My general rule is to only trust gelaterias that serve the small sized gelato for 2 euros or less. More than that, the prices are likely tourist-driven and the quality isn't as great.

The gelato at La Carraia is good quality and right across the Ponte alla Carraia bridge. Take your gelato with you to the bridge and enjoy the views while you eat.

Pasta: Osteria de' Peccatori | Piazza di San Firenze, 14

Osteria de' Peccatori is one of my favorite restaurants in Florence. We went there a number of times - it is great for a semi-large group of people or dining solo, whatever works for you.

There is a lot of selection on the menu, but the pasta has always been my favorite - especially the gnocchi al pesto or the tortellini labro di prete (7.90 euro each).

The service is really friendly and welcoming. (The dessert is beyond amazing, too)! I could sure go for their tiramisu...

Rotisserie Chicken: Ristorante La Spada | Via della Spada, 62

I'm not quite sure if rotisserie chicken counts as a staple Italian food, but if you need to take a break from all the carbs, head to La Spada for some delicious, juicy take away chicken.

For only five euros you get a half chicken and can add a side if you want - potatoes, vegetables, etc. You also have many other choices with the take away selection.

(Note that sitting down at the restaurant costs more than it does at the take away shop around the corner, but tastes the same all the less).

There you have it - the best places in Florence to get amazing Italian food at a fraction of the price.

These are a few examples of my personal favorite places to go from when I used to live in the city – I would often frequent these eateries at least once every other week!

I recommend these places and hope you enjoy them too.

Book a Place to Stay in Italy

My all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

The ABCs of Studying Abroad in Florence

A: Acqua - whether it's sparkling or flat, water is not free at restaurants, and sometimes more expensive than wine.

Florence Duomo from Piazzale Michelangelo

B: Bars. If you studied abroad between the age of 18-20, you got to enjoy the awesomeness of being of age and getting let in (legally) to a bar. If you were already 21, then you at least got to enjoy going to the bars with all of your friends without leaving out the youngsters.

C: Cooking. Italy is the food capital of Europe, and Florence is arguably the best city in Italy for finding the best food and fresh, high quality ingredients. Pesto pizza, pasta bolognese, or a tomato and mozzarella panini...yum.

D: Duomo. The most iconic church in Florence is enormous and beautiful. You'll never forget your first time walking up to the piazza and seeing it in person - it literally takes your breath away.

Duomo Florence

E: Experience. One that you'll never forget.

F: Florence! Where a majority of American students study abroad in Italy. Also, a small, gorgeous city with beautiful renaissance art.

G: Gelato. You know it's good when the smallest size still comes with two flavors.

H: Hostels. You'll always remember your first time staying at a hostel - bringing shower shoes, sharing bunk beds with other travelers...

I: Italy. While you spent most of the week in Florence, you likely got to see more of the country - the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, historic Rome, and the beautiful Amalfi Coast were musts. Maybe you made it down to Sicily, or up to Venice.

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J: Just go. Your motto when deciding whether or not to do that last-minute weekend trip.

K: Knocking on the door to a secret bakery at 2am. Warm, nutella-filled croissants for a euro each was the best way to end a night out.

L: Language. The beautiful Italian language that flows up and down, and sounds almost musical when listening to locals converse.

M: "Molto delizioso" means "very delicious," which is what you answered when your host mom asked how the pesto lasagna she made for lunch was.

N: Never leaving. Or what you told yourself while you were in denial during the final days of your study abroad.

Oltre Arno Florence Ponte Vecchio

O: Oltre Arno. Heading across the Arno river to the less touristy part of Florence, where you could encounter some great cafes and shops, and take a breather from the crowds by the Duomo or Santa Croce.

P: Piazzas. Piazza Repubblica, Michelangelo, Santa Croce...

Q: Quotes. Hopefully you made a list of all the funny things people said so you can look back on it a few months later when you get nostalgic. #memories

R: Resume. Studying abroad is a culturally enriching experience that you should definitely put on your resume.

S: Studying. The actual reason you were there.

T: Tiramasu. A delicious Italian dessert.

U: Umbrella. Something you were so glad you had during the random late summer downpours and also so the guys selling umbrellas on the streets would stop bothering you about buying one.

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V: Vacation. Knowing that most people only have the opportunity to take a week or two of vacation to Florence, but you were lucky enough to live there for months.

W: Wine, and lots of it. Whether it's red or white, you drank way too much of it last night, vow never to drink it again, but then somehow find yourself at Dante's in Florence a few days later with your friends where you proceed to do it all over again.

X: X-change rate. Calculating it to see if those 80 euro ($110) shoes were really worth it.

Y: Year abroad. Those lucky enough to extend their summer or semester study abroad into a full year.

Z: Zero regrets.

Amalfi Coast and Lake Como: Why Winding Roads Are Worth It

The Amalfi Coast - Go Seek Explore

Not all the beautiful places in the world are easily accessible, but in most cases, they're definitely worth the effort. I've had the pleasure of visiting two of my favorite places in Italy, the Amalfi Coast and Lake Como. Lake Como (northern Italy) and the Amalfi Coast (near Naples) are only accessible by taking a bus or car through narrow, winding roads on hills or cliffs.

The Amalfi Coast

In Amalfi, the pastel houses and hotels are built into the cliffs, and I definitely recommend driving down during the day so you can appreciate the beauty. As you wind into Sorrento, you'll see the houses, the cliffs with the fog/clouds hovering above, and the gorgeous beaches. One of the funniest memories from my study abroad experience (the first time I went to Amalfi) was when our bus got wedged next to another bus going the opposite way. We were literally stuck, with the drivers backing out and backing back in dozens of times to squeeze through. Meanwhile, Italians were honking their horns and shouting behind us (their anger was well-understood).

Lemon Groves in Positano

When I went to Lake Como with a friend last year, we took an hour-long bus ride from Como up to Bellagio, the center of the lake. (The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y). We were both still really jet lagged so being on a bus definitely didn't feel the best for our queasy stomachs, however the view driving up was absolutely incredible. I will never forget the adorable houses lining the water from looking out the window on our way up. It was one of the highlights from the trip and I'm glad we went up to Bellagio instead of staying at the bottom of the lake in Como.

lake como - go seek explore

bellagio - go seek explore

If you find yourself in Italy during the summertime, I highly recommend these two locations - they are even more breathtaking in person.

Custom Sandals From Capri

When I was in the Amalfi Coast in Italy last fall, I made sure to get a pair of custom made sandals from Capri. If you're headed to Amalfi, I highly recommend it - these are by far the most comfortable sandals I own, and knowing they're one-of-a-kind makes them extra special. There are plenty of custom sandal shops in Capri as well as Positano and  the surrounding area. You choose your strap color and the jewels you want on the strap as well as the strap design. Then the shoemakers create your custom sandal right in front of you. They cost between 70 euro for a simple pair and around 100-150 for pairs that have adornments. Mine were originally 120 euro, but I was able to haggle the price to 75 euro (score!).

After a month of almost daily use of the sandals, one of my jewels started to detach. I called the shop and asked them how to go about fixing it since I was back in my home base of Florence and wouldn't be returning to Southern Italy any time soon. The shop owner happened to be coming up to Florence later that week, and we met at the train station upon his arrival. He quickly fixed the jewel on the sandal for no extra charge. I was impressed by this customer service! It made my annoyance with the jewel detaching go away.

My friends and I got our sandals from Cuccarullo, located at Via Cristoforo Colombo 36 on the island of Capri. You can order them online, but it seems like the website is a little outdated in terms of sizing options. I'd recommend getting them in person anyways though since they size the sole and straps to your feet perfectly!

The Beautiful Italian Island You've Probably Never Heard Of

When you think of Italian islands, names that often come to mind are Capri, Sicily, or Sardinia. While there are plenty of Italian islands, one of my favorites, Elba, lies in the Tuscan Archipelago. Think the bluest water you can imagine, delicious Italian food (one of the best paninis I've ever had was at Elba), and plenty of sunshine. Elba Island was an easy choice to choose for a weekend away during my study abroad experience, after a friend suggested it and we got a group together to go. Elba is a great place for a quick getaway, and close if you happen to be in Florence, like many students, or in the Tuscan region.

How To Get There (From Florence)

Take a train from Florence Santa Maria Novella to Pisa Centrale. From there, take a train or bus to Piombino. At Piombino, get on a ferry to Elba Island. We stayed in Cavo, which is a small beach town on the northeast tip of the island. There are only daily ferries to Cavo, but there are hourly ferries to Portoferrario, which is more of a common town for tourists.

The only English-speaking person we encountered in Cavo was an Australian man that owned a restaurant. This was refreshing because we had just spent the previous weekend on an opening tour in Rome, and while it was beyond incredible, it was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle and all the tour groups. We went up to Portoferrario during one of the days to relax on the beach, do some shopping, and grab a bite for lunch.

Oh, and did you know that Napoleon was exiled there in 1814?

Map: Wikipedia

Photos: My own