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caffeconkim-blog · 7 years ago

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Venezia

If you’re looking for a city with picturesque scenery straight out of a story book Venice is your place.

I recently traveled to the land of canals and in this post I will detail exactly what I did, and how I did it!

I began my travels early on a Friday morning at the Santa Maria Novella train station where I purchased my 50 euro ticket one way to Venezia S. Lucia train station. The Venezia S. Lucia train station is perfectly located a 10 minute walk from the center of Venice. With my backpack on my back we started the walk to her homestay for the summer.

My friend from Mt. Holyoke, Virginia, got very very VERY lucky with her homestay family and ended up living in a palace right outside of Piazza San Marco. This prime real estate location made it very easy for us to hit up all the tourist sight seeing spots without spending too much time commuting. The must see things for a weekend trip are:

1. St. Mark’s Basilica - a landmark cathedral with gilded domes

2. Piazza San Marco- The square where St. Mark’s basilica is

3. Rialto Bridge- an ornate foot-bridge over the grand canal

4. The Grand Canal- one of Venice’s wider canals that is crossed by the Rialto

5. Murano- one of the most famous glass making factories in the world

Food wise we had a seafood blast! We splurged a bit the first night we were reunited and had a lovely meal at Da Celeste. Pictured below is our appetizer which is a Frutti di Mare Misto and my entre which is squid ink pasta!

The tourist situation in Venice is not a joke. It is very difficult to walk around without developing walking road rage. The streets are very small and the bridges can never be wide enough to accommodate everyone comfortably. I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing all of your patience with you as you tour around!

The gondola rides are very expensive. They can range anywhere between 70-100 euros depending on how long you desire them to be for. There are also singing gondoliers who sing as they row. It is quite a funny/nice thing to come across as you’re walking over bridges. It all seems very classic and stereotypical Venice. Instead of spending so much on a Gondola ride it would be only 7.5 euros to purchase a Vaporetto ticket to one of the other islands. The Vaporetto is the public transportation system in Venice. Instead of buses... they have boats! The island of Lido is wonderful. The Lido, or Venice Lido, is an 11-kilometre long sandbar in Venice full of beaches and yummy restaurants.

The night life in Venice is very touristy. We had some great and fresh drinks at an outdoor bar called Frulala. Frulala makes smoothie drink concoctions. All of their drinks are very original and made with fresh never frozen fruit.

As for the coffee.... Farini had some incredible caffe. Ask for Cosimo to make your coffee!

From the department store called “T Fondaco dei Tedeschi by DFS” you can take a few flights of stairs up to their roof-top observatory where you can see all of Venice for FREE!!!!! Here are some of my snapshots.

My final word of advice is to just get lost and discover the city for yourself with the rest of your time. You will be surprised by how many small hole in the walls you will find that you will never forget about. Venice has a lot to offer to young travelers so make sure you can squeeze in a trip before you leave!

Ciao!

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caffeconkim-blog · 7 years ago

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Hidden Costs

Until you actually live out your trip and go through every stroke of the itinerary you set out for yourself you will never fully know how much money you will be exactly spending.

You can plan all you want but that still does not change the fact that a HUGE part of traveling is not being perfect, but rather, being PREPARED for those unexpected life occurrences.

So what exactly are some ~~unexpected occurrences~~ that we can prepare for by tucking away some extra cash for?

The following will run through some of the more common hidden scenarios people often forget about

1. Getting to and from the airport

Have you thought about how you will be getting from the airport to your hotel/hostel? More often than not, airports are out in the country-side of the city you are visiting and can run up a pretty large cab bill. A great way to maybe spend a little more time traveling but a LOT LESS money on getting to and fro is researching if there is a bus/tram shuttle or metro that can get you to the center or close by to a stop near your location of rest. Trust me, even if you have to take a cab from the city center instead of from the airport it will be MUCH cheaper than riding all the way through.

2. LUGGAGE.

This point speaks for itself. We all struggle with packing and ensuring our traveling belongings are under a certain weight. A great way to save money is to pack only as much as a carry on that weighs no more than 8-10kgs can hold. However, if you find yourself shopping and buying items that beef up your luggage you might find yourself in the pickle that is paying for your luggage in a fee that can run anywhere from 30-100 euros depending on the airline and the terms and conditions you signed off on.

3. Water, Acqua, H2O

Paying 1-2 euros for a water bottle every few hours seems harmless until you actually sit down and realize how much money you have spent on plastic in a country where its tap water is more than perfectly drinkable and probably cleaner than in the U.S. Pack an empty water bottle (I promise TSA will not take it away as long as it is EMPTY). Fill it any time you go to the bathroom! You will save so much money at restaurants, just walking around, and at bars when you have your own FREE water handy. Water fountains are rare to come across in Europe.

4. Be picky when choosing a hostel location

Your hostel may BE in the city you are traveling to but my friend, most cities are HUGE. This means that you can be running up a huge bill going straight into transporting you to and from the city center and your hostel. Most metro rides are 2-5 euros one way. When comparing hostel prices, if one is in the center and only 5 euros more a night than the hostel that is a “short commute” to the center you will be saving yourself so much money in public transport by just choosing the hostel closest to where you will be all day! Plus, it’ll make it easier to walk everywhere and work off all that food you’ve been eating while abroad ;)

5. Snacks

All the Kinder products at the airport will seem extremely tempting but airport prices are often SKY ROCKETED from those prices at local supermarkets. TSA will not take away your food! Only drinks. So.. think ahead.. pack some reasonably priced snacks to keep yourself fueled for your adventures. More often than not the 6 euros you spent on a Kinder candy bar at the airport could buy you at least four more at a supermarket. Avoid convenience stores at airports! They will tempt you! Be armed with your own snacks to avoid this hidden cost.

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caffeconkim-blog · 7 years ago

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Day Tripping Munich

The first thing I thought when I got off the metro in Munich and took in the city was “OMG am I on the set of Shrek?!”

Shrek is definitely based off of Bavarian culture.

Bavarian culture is most notably known by opera festivals, the Oktoberfest, hearty snacks in a beer garden, gourmet menus in star-rated restaurants, and customs being passed down through the ages.

The Bavarian Capital city of Munich is the epitome of authenticity. Between its picturesque architecture and medieval aesthetics, Munich will make you feel like you have officially taken a step back in time.

I had 24 hours in this city, and to make matters even more complicated as soon as we arrived to our hostel we were told it was Corpus Christi Day and that everything would be closed due to the national holiday. How great!

Munich seemed like a ghost town until after several phone calls to some establishments we found some fun things open.

The first thing we hit was a bakery inside the metro for breakfast. I had an apple pastry the size of my face and a coffee for breakfast for only 3 euros.

Once off the metro we got off at Marienplatz and were greeted by the town hall building sounding off at 12 noon.

Every day at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. (as well as 5 p.m. in summer) it chimes and re-enacts two stories from the 16th century to the amusement of mass crowds of tourists and locals. It consists of 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures. The top half of the Glockenspiel tells the story of the marriage of the local Duke Wilhelm V (who also founded the world famous Hofbräuhaus) to Renata of Lorraine. In honor of the happy couple there is a joust with life-sized knights on horseback representing Bavaria (in white and blue) and Lothringen (in red and white). The Bavarian knight wins every time, of course.

Source: Anderson, Stuart. "Munich Glockenspiel". Destination Munich. Retrieved 22 June 2017.

Here was our view of the spectacle

Here is a more up close view of the figurines

The show lasts around 15 minutes. We then walked around the ghost town that was the surrounding center area and just took in the beautiful buildings around us.

Here are some pictures from our walk

It was then time to make our way over to the famous Hofbräuhaus for lunch and some traditional German beer. Hofbräuhaus is a brewery in Munich, owned by the Bavarian state government. The Hof (court) comes from the brewery's history as a royal brewery in the Kingdom of Bavaria. The brewery owns the Hofbräuhaus and one of the largest tents at the Oktoberfest.

I always find the places I am in much more interesting to be in when I know of their history. Here is some great and brief history of the beer hall that brings so much cheer and yummys to Munich.

It was founded in 1589 by the Duke of Bavaria, Wilhelm V. It is one of Munich's oldest beer halls. It was founded as the brewery to the old Royal Residence, which at that time was situated just around the corner from where the beer hall stands today. The beer quickly became quite popular thanks to the first brewer, Heimeran Pongratz, and the famous "Bavarian Beer Purity Law" of 1516 that stated that only natural ingredients could be used in the brewing process.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staatliches_Hofbr%C3%A4uhaus_in_M%C3%BCnchen

Here it is in all of its glory!

The hall’s prices were a bit pricey and if I could do it over again I would have eaten somewhere else for lunch but still had some beer here for the experience. I paid nearly 40 euros for a summer ale beer, schnitzel, a pretzel, and some potatoes. This is definitely a tourist priced place.

Here is my food and drink!

There was a band inside playing really fun and upbeat traditional Bavarian folk music that got the whole place dancing and hollering. It was a great atmosphere full of very happy people and lots of love for ones country and culture. I felt, in that moment, very grateful for the opportunity to have experienced just a tiny bit of Munich in my short time here.

CHEERS TO THAT!

The beer made us tired so we opted to go rest at the beautiful Englischer Garten. It was created and squared off in 1789. What makes this park particularly special is not only its overwhelmingly beautiful landscaping but the fact that it stands as one of the largest urban public parks in the world being larger than central park in NYC.

The park is full of wonderful monuments from all around the world. Some that you should definitely try to find in your walk around the park include the Japanese tea house, the Chinese tower, and the Monopteros.

Here are some pictures from the park!

Beer from a vending machine, how fitting!

and a cute caffe in the park

We were hungry after all of our park walking and lounging -- what a life am I right? -- haha. Upon exiting the park we stumbled upon an incredibly cheap and delicious restaurant called Konigin 43. It was delicious. We had mango coconut chicken curry with rice for 10 euros in a great location and atmosphere. The place was very full... thats how you know its good.

Here is the restaurant and our food!

Aaaaaaaannnnnnnnnd thats all folks! Munich was enchanting and I will definitely be back!

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caffeconkim-blog · 7 years ago

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On Amsterdam

Young American tourists flock to Amsterdam because a certain type of herb is legal there....... Apart from counter culture being done incredibly well in this wonderfully clean and mesmerizing city, Amsterdam will leave you stunned and never wanting to leave *insert tears* .

At least that is what it did for my best friend and I!

Here is what we did and how we did it!

DAY ONE:

We flew AirEuropa for about 100 euros from Madrid to Amsterdam’s main airport, Schiphol. From the minute we set foot inside this airport we were amazed!!! (my best friend and I are easily entertained in general but WOW was this place FUN). The dutch aesthetics are very different, creative, and clean cut in comparison to what we are used to in the states and in Italy. There is a caffe called “Park Caffe” that is quite literally a PARK inside the AIRPORT.

To save money on taking a cab and also to have a mini adventure we decided to shuttle/tram to a stop very close to our hostel, Ecomama. Here are the instructions:

Public transport from Schiphol AMS Airport: Take any train to Amsterdam Central station. Travel time is 15 – 20 minutes. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket machines in the airport trainstation. One way tickets are 4.40 euro. From Amsterdam Central station follow directions as above. Public transport from Amsterdam Central Station: Walk out the front entrance of the station to the left until you see a blue sign with a big 'M', which stand for Metro. Walk down the stairs into the Metro Station. On the left you will see the check-in gates. Pass these with a valid ticket, that can be purchased in the station for Euro 2,80 (24-hours public transportation tickers are Euro 7,50). Walk down the stairs and take Metro number 51, 53 or 54 (don't worry about the direction). Get out of the metro at ' Waterlooplein'. When you get off the train, look for the blue direction signs and take the exit that leads to Waterlooplein. Walk up the escalator and pass the check-out gate. You will now see a snackbar in front of you. Turn right and take another escalator up to the exit of the station. On your right you will see a big square (during the day there is a market going on). Cross the street towards the square and head on straight (pass the market and cross another street) until you reach 'Valkenburgerstraat'. Walk down the street for about 4 minutes until you reach house number 124. Here you will see a coffee corner called 'Filter'. Walk in and go to the second desk. You have now reached Ecomama Hotel.

Ecomama hostel is a force to be reckoned with.

Valkenburgerstraat 124, 1011 NA Amsterdam, Netherlands

This hostel knows what they are doing. They have an earthy aesthetic full of young people and extremely clean conditions that will satisfy even the most picky person. We found a good deal for our two beds in the same room for 30 a night. Definitely worth every single euro. The location is a 5 minute walk from Rembrandt Square and a 10 minute walk to the Rijksmuseum in one direction and the Red Light district in the other direction. The customer service was incredible as well. Except for the fact that I was sharing a room with 6 other people, I really felt like I was at a hotel instead of a hostel.

Here are some pictures of the hostel:

Our room

The common space

The indoor tent fort

The stairwell

Alrightttttttttt... enough of me fan-girling and praising this hostel, now on to our adventures throughout the city!

We locked up our things at the hostel and aimlessly walked around until our stomachs called to a restaurant (it was lunch time). Tasty burger won our hearts and stomach over!!!! This place wreaked of BBQ and creative, fun, and LARGE burgers. I had the “Hangover Burger” which consisted of a 10oz. patty, cheddar cheese, jalapenos, hot sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, and avocado.

Here is my monstrosity of a lunch!

After fueling up........ we walked and walked and walked. The first place we stumbled upon was Rembrandt Square! Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was a Dutch draughtsman, painter, and printmaker. This square is surrounded by caffe’s, restaurants, and bakeries. The center of the square has statutes of Rembrandt’s work.

Here we are strutting a few poses!

We then continued just WALKING. Amsterdam is definitely a walking city so pack your comfiest sneakers and a portable umbrella (also a very rainy city). You can get anywhere in this city in no longer than 30-40 minutes. LOOK BOTH WAYS FOR BIKES EVERYWHERE YOU GO !!!!! NOT JOKING!!!!! YOU CAN’T HEAR THEM COMING!! Amsterdam is home to over ONE MILLION bikes in use by its citizens alone! Not even counting the tourists on the bikes without a clue!

Here are some pictures from just walking around the canals:

Seriously, just explore! Every corner of this city is worth taking in.

We then stopped for cake...lol.... the bakeries here are actually UNREAL and then I found the frozen yogurt shop franchise I worked at in high school in Miami!

Our cake:

Yogen- Fruz!

Later that night we grabbed a quick and cheap bite from the caffe at our hostel and went out with a tour our hostel does on Monday nights for 10 euros of the local bar scene. This is a great way to meet people while abroad! We made a ton of friends that were also staying at our hostel and had a great time bar hopping places where the locals hit in Amsterdam. It was also nice to have a local with us that worked as the hostel’s guide of sorts (who was also around our age!)

Some of the bars we hit were:

1. OT301

2. Café The Minds

3. Roest

4. The Greenhouse Effect

These were all great! I would highly recommend them all!

DAY TWO:

We woke up early and hit the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. We beat all the lines and were able to stroll in peace. We had a wonderful time taking in all the art around us and appreciating the museum’s architecture.

Van Gogh Museum 17 euros a ticket:

The Rijksmuseum 17.50 euros a ticket:

and here we are on the Iamsterdam!

We then had a rather sweet lunch at the Dutch Pancake House. This place is rated to have the Best Pancakes in all of Amsterdam and after one bite, I believed them.

We had a food coma after those EXTRAORDINARY pancakes and relaxed in Vondelpark. The Vondelpark is a public urban park of 47 hectares in Amsterdam, Netherlands. We felt like we were surrounded by all the locals here while we laid down and just took in some sun.

Next up, was dinner! We walked deep into Amsterdam to the Bazaar restaurant. This Moroccan restaurant was built inside of a remodeled church in a more cultural neighborhood in Amsterdam. We had a delicious meal and our surroundings were absolutely stunning.

Later that night we took a stroll around the Red Light district. It was very clean, exactly how everyone had described it to be, and extremely interesting to just take it. A phenomenon like the legalization of prostitution in the United States would cause extreme public uproar and debate, and yet in Amsterdam is was amongst some of the most casual nightlife activities.

Heres a photo I snapped on one of the bridges in the district. The lit up neon pig is a theatre called “Casa Rosso”. It is the district’s most famous live porn show theatre.The lines to get in wrap around multiple blocks.

DAY THREE:

We woke up early yet again because our flight to Munich was at 7pm. We packed all of our things and left them in the storage room in the hostel free of cost. We checked out by 9am and had a few hours left to explore before we shuttled back to the airport.

We rented bikes for 9 euros for 4 hours.

WARNING: if you do not consider yourself a pro biker I would not recommend renting bikes in this city. The bike riding scene on the streets is very intense, crowded, and something the locals should only partake it. It is so easy to fall off and get lost. We definitely decided we would never rent bikes here again! We did lose each other but had the common sense to return to where we rented the bikes and found each other again.

Here I am on my bike!

We returned our bikes and had the brunch of champions at Mr. Paprika which is right next to the floating flower market! It was only 10 euros for all this!

Our final stroll was over to the Anne Frank house. We were slightly upset to find out that the lines to get into the museum were extremely long and could take anywhere between 4-5 hours to get through. When we tried booking tickets in advance they were also all sold-out for weeks at a time. We decided to go pay our homage anyways and at least see her home from the outside and where she roamed around. We were happy we did. Both my best friend and I identify as Jewish and were happy to be able to live to see today because of the sacrifices little girls like Anne faced during the evil of the Holocaust.

Here are the doors to her home:

So there you have it! All of the aforementioned gave me a much deeper and greater appreciation for the wonders of the Netherlands. I spent roughly 250 euros here as well between food, trams, and the hostel stay.

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caffeconkim-blog · 7 years ago

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Madrid is Very Cheap

As a Miami girl who is constantly surrounded by Cubans, strutting into Spain felt like..... being surrounded by Cuban culture..... oh right Spain is “La Madre Patria” or as we call it, the Colonizer. Cuban culture is Spanish culture evolved on a Caribbean island.

We arrived in Madrid and jumped on a shuttle from the airport for about 2 euros to the Atocha train station (Madrid’s main train station) to meet up with our friend who recently graduated and was spending a year teaching English in a school in Delicias. She hosted us for three nights. Our host, Rachel, really showed us the beauty of Spain but more importantly HOW INCREDIBLY CHEAP AND YUMMY EVERYTHING IS. On our first night she welcomed us by taking us out for tapas which consisted of croquetas, patatas bravas, tortilla, and a couple Spanish beers ALL FOR 8 EUROS.

We then took the metro from her apartment in Delicias to the center to the world-famous Chocolateria San Gines for some Churros and Chocolate dip for dessert. The serving came with 10 large churros and a mug full of chocolate dipping for only 5 euros. Taking a seat at San Gines is particularly special because its like sitting down at a restaurant back in 1894 when it began serving churros to the public. These guys have been around for a looong time. They know what they are doing when it comes to delicious fried ooey gooey dough goodness.

After a restful nights sleep we woke up the next morning and had a traditional Spanish breakfast at 100 Montaditos for 2 euros! Which included Orange juice, coffee, toast, tomato sauce,prosciutto, and olive oil.

We then did all the “must see” touristy things. These were free things! That of which included seeing:

La Estatua del Oso y el Madrono

Plaza Mayor

aaannnddd Los Jardines del Buen Retiro de Madrid

We then hustled over in the 100 degree F. sun to Takos. Takos is an authentic Mexican eatery which you guessed it... serves the best Takos in town!!! For a jug of Margaritas and a plate of 10 tacos I paid 7 euros! The lines do get really long around lunch time so I would recommend choosing a less traditional time to eat like say maybe 3-5pm in the afternoon instead of the usual 12-2pm lunch time.

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Lavapiez. Lavapiez is full of street art, small bars, charming restuarants, and the more colorful population of Madrid. It was truly a culturally immersive experience to take a stroll through this beautiful community.

Here are some pictures of Lavapiez!

The next morning we got up bright and early to hit El Rastro! A very fun flea market of sorts in Madrid that sells EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING. My best friend and I did some thrifting and bargaining and ended up each getting used Levi’s jean jackets for 5 euros each!!!!!!

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing, eating, and lounging en el Retiro (Madrid’s central park). We had a wonderful picnic with yummy goods gathered from a local supermarket and lovely conversation.

Later that night we indulged in some Paella (10 euros) and waved goodbye to this wonderfully cheap and authentic city.

Including my flight ticket from Ciampino airport in Rome to Madrid I spent a total of 200 euros for three days and three nights in Madrid. That sounds pretty solid! Next up, Amsterdam!

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caffeconkim-blog · 7 years ago

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Sorrento & Capri on a Budget

The South of Italy is one of those enchanting places you constantly see in pictures and mini enticing traveling videos on Facebook. It is all that, and then some. I knew that I needed to plan out a visit the second I accepted my offer here with CISabroad as the summer intern for their Florence site. From the second I stepped onto the coastal town of Sorrento, I knew I was somewhere far different than Firenze. This post will walk through my adventures through these two destinations and highlight lessons and tricks to save some extra euros for that next trip...;)

My best friend Corinne and I began our travels at the classic Santa Maria Novella Train station here in central Firenze. We purchased a 70 euro TrenItalia ticket to Napoli Centrale. The train was direct. Meaning, we never had to get off and switch trains. It was a fun three and a half hour train ride through the beautiful landscapes that the Italian countryside so effortlessly provides.

Here I am on the train!

We made it to Napoli Centrale train station and went down two escalators until we found the ticket office for the Circumvesuviana train. The Circumvesuviana is a local train that quite literally circles Mount Vesuvius’ neighboring towns. The massive volcano was easily identifiable through our window seats on this worn down train that only cost us 4 euros!

Here is a picture of the Circumvesuviana train:

The following is a picture of the inside of the train with an elderly person spacing out in it lol!

Annnnddd here is a picture from my window seat on the train of the famous Mt. Vesuvius we were circling around!

We made it off the train at its last stop: Sorrento after about an hour and a half and because it was nearly 10pm and we had all of our luggage on us we opted to take a cab to our hostel which totaled 20 euros, meaning we each spent 10 euros once we split it.

Heres a picture of Corinne, my best friend, with her massive backpack once we got off at Sorrento’s station.

We checked into our pre-booked hostel called “Hotel Londra” and paid at the front desk a total of 55 euros for two nights. This means we spent 27.5 euros a night. Our hostel room has four beds. Two of the beds were bunked and the other two were single beds tightly packed next to one another. We were lucky to have two very charismatic and respectful chefs from London be our roommates. Everything in the hostel was small and slightly uncomfortable but you are getting what you paid for! We did not mind because we barely spent any time other than sleeping time at the hostel.

It was nearly 11pm and we had not eaten dinner so as you can imagine we were STARVING.

We walked east from the entrance of the hostel and were immediately greeted by Sorrento’s Coast. The view was stunning. In the distance there was a small restaurant where we splurged a bit on our first meal in our adventure (about 20 euros each).

The Sorrento coast at night

Our restaurant right next to the water!

Our food!

We woke up at 6am the next day, showered, got ready, packed a beach bag, had breakfast and made it to the port of Sorrento which is called “Marina Piccola�� after a ~30 minute walk from our hostel.

Here is a picture of the marina in Sorrento:

By 8:30am we were on a ferry jam packed with elderly folk for Capri. Round trip the ferry cost us 36 euros. The ferry was large and very rocky since the waters were turbulent. It was a beautiful sunshine filled day though! After about half an hour we arrived on the island and hopped on another much smaller boat to see the Green Grotto, The Lighthouse of Punta Carena, the Scoglio delle Sirene, Arco Naturale, White Grotto, and the Salto di Tibero. This hour and a half boat tour that essentially circles the island would have also included the Blue Grotto but the water was too turbulent and the tide was too high to even enter the small crevice. This mini-boat tour of an hour an a half cost us each 8 euros.

Here are some pictures of our boat tour:

Here is the port in Capri

Here is how incredibly blue and clear the ocean water is:

PRO-TIP: As soon as you get off the ferry onto Capri hundreds of men will flock to you trying to get you on their mini tour boat rides that all show you the same thing. Ask to see pictures of the boat they are going to take you on, bargain the price you are paying, and don’t settle on the first person that approaches you. Always scope out your options.

We then had lunch after walking deeper into Capri’s smaller less traveled roads to get as authentic as we could when it came to Southern Italian food. I had the best fish in my life with two sides for 6 euros accompanied by FREE bruschetta. It really pays off to walk just a bit past the tourist traps! I kept seeing meal deals for over 25 euros for minimal food.

Here is my lunch!

We then hunted for a free public beach to spend the rest of our afternoon at and found one about a mile walk to the right of the port we initially got dropped off at. We had both packed shawls to use as “towels” because shawls dry quickly and also serve as beach blankets, scarves, cover-ups, and airplane blankets, etc. They are very versatile! We laid out our shawls, swam in the water, climbed some nearby rocks, all while keeping a close eye on our belongings on the shore.

Here are some beach pics!

We took a late ferry back out at 4pm and made it back to Sorrento around 5pm. The current was racing against us so it took the ferry a bit longer this time around. We then decided to just get lost in Sorrento. I had downloaded the offline google map of Sorrento so we could eventually find our way back to the hostel and I had a portable charger on me in case my phone died (stay prepared kids). We took so many turns and walked over such beautiful bridges. We encountered heartwarming street-art and charming bars that were set up in a people watching type of way.

Here are some pictures from roaming around:

and of course...... did I really travel to Italy if I didn’t have a gelato in my hand to prove it?

So there you have it! Sorrento + Capri done right for around ~250 euros. Please message me if you have any questions!

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caffeconkim-blog · 7 years ago

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The international chain of smack talk!

website | twitter | instagram | shop

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caffeconkim-blog · 7 years ago

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How to start and MAINTAIN a travel journal

We’ve all tried to start a diary at some point and forgot all about it after only having written in it say... I don’t know...one time?..... It’s okay! Happens to the best of us. Keeping a diary or a journal of sorts is a great way to release all of your raw feelings and energy in a reflective way on paper. By doing so you are immortalizing feelings that you could read up on years later and mentally be able to relive wonderful experiences.

Keeping a travel journal while abroad could be particularly rewarding and special because of how unique your everyday is here in comparison to being back home. You’ll be writing about how you visited world heritage sites, ate beyond your normal palette’s taste, and met new people...DAILY. So many new things will be happening to you hourly that it’d be a shame to forget about all the little memories that made you smile and opened your mind.

So here it is! A step by step guide to get yourself documenting the life you choose to live! Trust me. You will not regret it.

STEP ONE: Pick a Journal

This is a very personal decision to make. Choosing the right journal is key to getting yourself excited to want to crack it open during peaceful moments in your travels. You’ll also be happy and satisfied with seeing it everyday in your bag. Consider this journal a gift to yourself. Do you want lined or blank paper? Do you want a larger traditionally sized journal or a slightly smaller one? Do you want a leather bound or a spiral bound journal? Pick a journal that really calls to you. There are plenty of places and small shops around Florence to pick up a nice journal that feels right. At outdoor shops you could also bargain to get it for a good price too ;). Here are a few links to websites that sell originally designed journals:

https://www.papyrusonline.com/gifts/journals-and-notebooks

https://www.etsy.com/c/books-movies-and-music/books/blank-books/journals-and-notebooks

https://www.thejournalshop.com/notebooks-and-journals/

STEP TWO: Arm up on stationary

Get yourself 2-3 new pens that you enjoy writing with. Carry them around with you in your travels so that you are always prepared to take a moment to reflect. Maybe in addition to the pens you could also bring a highlighter and some colored pencils if you are into emphasizing and doodling. Really, make this journal your own! Being abroad is all about discovering sides of yourself you were not aware of before. It can really help if you take time to reflect on your experiences by writing about them. The experience does end up flying by and before you know it, you’ll be home again! Make sure you make the most of every minute.

STEP THREE: Save all your ticket stubs, polaroids, receipts etc.

Bring a mini stapler along with you in your travels or a mini roll of scotch tape and scrapbook all of your stubs! I know you keep them anyways so might as well tape them in a journal in an organized way. It’ll act as a great compliment to your writing about your experiences. You’ll enjoy flipping through your journal and seeing all the different things you did.

In addition, remember that this journal does not only have to be writing about what happened to you on that hot summer day. This journal can act as an agenda, calendar, to do list, anything you need to write out can go in here! Looking back will be especially fun when you can actually see what you were up to all those years ago.

Here are some examples of journals that incorporate what I am describing!

STEP FOUR: Set daily reminders, FIND the time

There’s no such thing as being “too busy”. If you really want something you will find the time to do it. Commit. Set reminders on your phone, make it a part of your bedtime routine by keeping your journal and a pen visibly in sight on your nightstand, carry it around with you throughout your day, make it a habit to tape all your stubs, plane/train/bus tickets, and receipts in it, I could really go on forever. At the end of the day, this journal is a physical recollection of YOUR mental experiences. It is whatever you make of it. You will realize as you keep adding to it that it becomes incredibly addicting. You will look forward to writing in it. Your future self will thank you later.

Finally, here is a picture of my own journal and stationary :-)

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caffeconkim-blog · 7 years ago

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On beefing up your resume

Many of you may be thinking “But I had so much fun while I was abroad! There is no possible way I could put this on my resume!” Yes, you can.

Just because you are having fun does not mean you are not learning or gaining incomparable experiences that are uniquely yours. Just think about all the qualities that are in your personality that led you to study abroad. ALL of you are:

- Responsible

-Brave

-Open Minded

- Explorers

- Creative

- Patient

- Flexible/Adaptable

- Full of initiative

-Capable of an intellectual conversation

- Great listeners and observers

- Capable of learning quickly in new situations

- Able to manage your time

and the list goes onnnnnnnnnnnn. All of the aforementioned are BUZZ words that you could use to KILL an interview when describing your experience abroad.

You must be able to link your experiences and studies here to what specifically your employer is looking for. These are called TRANSFERABLE skills. You gained these skills here in Florence and now you get to take them back to the States and take a little piece of Firenze inside of you everywhere you go.

In order to identify these transferable skills it is important to SIT DOWN and reflect once your abroad experience is coming to a close. The following questions that I have pulled from the University’s Study Abroad Consortium will help you identify skills you have gained. So take out your journal or open up a doc and get typing!

As you reflect on your experience abroad, did you:

Do a specific project or research applicable to your field of interest while abroad?

Travel independently?

Learn to work with a more diverse group of people than you had previously been exposed to?

Resolve a conflict based on misunderstandings of cultural differences?

Learn new activities, languages, hobbies, or skills?

Come to understand how to listen, watch, and learn from what you observe?

Discover something new about yourself that can relate to the position you are seeking?

Volunteer or participate in an internship or service learning project while abroad?

Once you have a good idea of what specifically of value you are able to present to an employer you can start professionally putting it into words. The following is an example of how I would place an experience abroad on a resume:

The key is to always sell yourself. You are a product of your experiences. As you continue your studies here practice mindfulness in every adventure you embark on. I believe in you!

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caffeconkim-blog · 7 years ago

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Parents, Pizza, and Pisa

My parents came to visit me as a part of their 10 day Euro-road trip. I was really excited to see them on vacation for the first time in 20 years. I could not believe how happy they were. It seemed like they were reborn and best friends again. I did not recognize their lightweight and fun personalities. Who were these people and what did they do with my parents?

With my younger brother moving out of the house next year to go to college their relationship is going to take an interesting turn back to how it used to be before I came into the world in 1997.

I showed my parents around my Airbnb in Campo Di Marte on Cento Stelle. They loved it. The apartment and its granite floors reminded them of Buenos Aires, Argentina, their hometown. Argentina was after all flooded with Italian immigrants escaping Fascism during WW2. Argentina has been heavily influenced by the Italian state of mind. Our spanish is amongst the worst in South and Central America because it encompasses an Italian twist.

It was early in the morning so we stopped by my favorite local and AUTHENTIC bread shop for some Foccacia Genovese and lattes.

We then zoomed through Florence in their rented car and parked in a garage near the duomo to start my walking tour for them.

^ Above: My mom, Elizabeth, and I hugging in front of the Duomo

We appreciated and took in the beauty of the Duomo, crossed over Ponte Vecchio, bargained for a few beautiful leather goods at the market, ate freshly made pizza at Gusta Pizza (a fabulous and low cost pizzeria full of locals so you know its good), and maybe picked up one too many gelatos along the way.

I had my middle aged parents walking around all day from 8am! It came to be around 5pm when we decided to take yet another coffee and gelato break (our time in Italy is short right?). I mentioned how nearby Pisa was and my adventurous parents said lets go and catch it at sunset! We did! It was about an hour drive out to the town.

Pisa has much more to offer than just its leaning tower. Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, straddling the Arno just before it empties into the Ligurian Sea. Pisa boasts over over 90,834 residents, contains more than 20 other historic churches, several medieval palaces and various bridges across the Arno river (yes the same one Ponte Vecchio is over!). Much of the city's architecture was financed from its history as one of the Italian maritime republics.

^ Above: Me being really super strong! The gym pays off my friends!

Strap yourself in for this one... Pisa is also home of the University of Pisa, which has a history going back to the 12th century and also has the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, founded by Napoleon in 1810. My inner European history nerd is gushing! To put this in perspective for those of us from the states, Harvard as our oldest university was founded in 1636, MORE THAN 500 YEARS after Pisa was doing its thing!

You can surely tell there is a student presence at Pisa. It really is a college town of sorts similar to the vibe Bologna gives off. From the second we parked the car and began walking towards the bell-tower we were surrounded by young college-aged Italian students walking to and fro from classes and speaking to each other about their days, profs, and social lives. Students gather here at bars which are stationed at every block without fail. Italians have to have their coffee.

We had really tasty lasagna at a small restaurant we found after wandering around deeper into Pisa to avoid the tourist trap restaurants. Here are some pictures of my parents doing exactly what they hate me doing! Being on the phone while on the table! The restaurant had wifi... as tourists who could blame them?

Also, here is a picture my mom caught of me when she saw me smiling at the menu! Classic Kim move.

The city of Pisa has much more to offer and see than just its leaning tower! It truly is a beautiful city full of a lot to appreciate and experience. I will definitely be coming back! My parents left later that night after dropping me off really satisfied with our time together. We were able to not only hit all the main points in Florence but also Pisa later than evening. My parents may have drove me over to Pisa but here is how you can VERY EASILY do it yourself by hopping on a train!

HOW TO GET TO PISA VIA TRAIN FROM STATION SMN:

*The following VERY EASY to follow directions I summarized from an Adventure Travel Blog called Four Jandals.

Trains leave from Florence S.M.Novella for Pisa Centrale a few times every hour. The closest train station to the leaning tower of Pisa is Pisa San Rossore, but it’s not worth the extra time or transfer required. Pisa itself is small and it takes less than 30 minutes to walk to the leaning tower from Pisa Centrale.

Plus you get to explore more of the city such as the River Arno lined with beautiful stately homes.

If you want to book online then a one-way ticket by train to Pisa from Florence will cost from €7.80 (US$10.40) in 2nd class. It is important to make sure that when you are searching online via the Italian train booking site, Trenitalia, you search for “Firenze” rather than Florence.

Notice how cheap of a day trip this can be! A great opportunity to explore more of Italy while on a budget.

The train schedules are very easy to understand so I recommend booking your ticket from the self-service machines on the train platform. The return journey is just as easy in reverse. Just watch that you don’t miss the last train around 10pm most days and carry cash with you for the ticket.

Finally, validate your ticket before boarding the train to avoid a FINE!

I leave you all with this cute picture of this dog holding up the tower better than any of us could ever strive to.