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Sorrento Reflections: An Unforgettable Summer

Ciao!

I wanted to spend some time reflecting on my time in Sorrento. After spending two and a half months here (crazy!) I wanted to leave with some of my favorites as well as advice for those studying abroad so this blog post is going to be long. 

A Summary of My Favorites From My Time in Italy

Places in Sorrento: Raki for Gelato, Dodeca for groceries, A’Marenna for sandwiches, Nunu's Not Just Kebabs for non-Italian food

Gelato: Dark Chocolate or Salted Caramel from Raki, Crema Veneziana from Gelateria Gallonetto in Venice

Foods: Pizza Fritta, Margherita Pizza, Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, Cuoppa

Cities I Visited: Ischia, Venice, Naples, Rome

Museums: Museo Archaeological Natzionale di Napoli, Capitoline Museums in Rome, Basilica di San Clemente in Rome

Archaeological Sites: Herculaneum, Pompeii, Roman Forum

Some of my favorite photos from my time abroad

I have so much advice regarding studying abroad that I wanted to mention below. Some of these are more Sorrento specific, but I think they can be applied to any program.

Say YES to things! I wouldn’t have gotten to have so many cool experiences if I’d said no or talked myself out of things. While boundaries are very important, take advantage of all the things you have access to while abroad. 

Don’t be Afraid to Explore on Your Own! It can be intimidating, but sometimes solo exploration was more fun for me. There are so many places I wouldn’t have seen if I’d tried to wait or follow a group and I have no regrets about the day trips I did on my own. Be safe and share your location with a friend. 

Ask Your Professors/Staff for Advice! The professors and staff are super passionate about Southern Italy and also super knowledgeable, the vast majority of them were born and raised in the Sorrento area. I wouldn’t have considered trying Pizza Fritta without my Religions of the Classical Antiquity professor suggesting it, which was one of my favorite things in Italy. 

Try ALL the Foods! As my one professor said, “Food and street food are the foundation of Neapolitan culture” so you have to try them while you’re here! It’s a really great way to explore local culture while also being super delicious. This goes for places outside of Naples/Sorrento but is especially true in Naples.

Take Time to Relax! While I definitely suggest getting out and exploring, it was also nice to just relax some days and stick around town or in the dorms. There are nice gardens you can sit in, streets to wander around, and absolutely stunning views of Vesuvius. It’s also exhausting to travel long distances every weekend.

Explore Beyond Instagram! While Instagram and TikTok are great for getting ideas about places to see, I highly recommend trying to explore more off the beaten path places as they’re often less crowded but just as interesting and pretty. I often used google maps to find places to eat and check for tourist traps. 

Plan, but Don’t Over-Plan! I personally find that the only way to actually see everything that you want to see is to plan ahead. Have ideas of what places you want to visit but don’t hyperplan out every detail to allow for spontaneity. Definitely get boat or train tickets ahead of time and entry tickets to popular monuments like the Colosseum or museums to save time. 

Explore Locally! While it’s tempting to be lured by far away cities, there is so much to see and do just around Naples and Sorrento. I really enjoyed getting to know Naples a little better and exploring all the archaeology sites around Mount Vesuvius. The only real regret I have is not trying to explore more of Naples and the Campania region.

Save Money by Cooking and Eating Street Food! I think the easiest way to save money for traveling is to cool your own meals. I found that I could get really good food at the grocery store often for around €50 a week and I cooked all my meals during the week (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). To not break the bank when eating out, try street food and takeaway meals as they’re often less than 10 euros a meal. I’ve gotten street food for less than 5 euros and it was so good plus it’s what the locals eat.

More of my favorite photos from studying abroad.

The best piece of advice I have is to study abroad! I seriously can’t explain just how much fun I’ve had and how many memories I’ve made that will last a lifetime. I‘ve not only gotten more confident in my ability to travel and navigate alone, but I’ve really learned so much about both American and Neapolitan culture. I think that this study abroad experience helped put my own life and experiences into perspective and I got to know myself better. Although it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, I’m sad about leaving Sorrento and Naples behind. I'm definitely considering studying abroad again, or at least looking for a job that allows for international travel.

Thanks for reading my blog posts!

Ciao!!!!

Reganne Watts

Aerospace Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

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Sorrento Week 10: Exploring Naples and Wrapping Up

Ciao!

I can’t believe that my time in Sorrento has come to an end. I’m not gonna lie, at first I was hesitant to study abroad in Sorrento because I’d never never heard of the place and assumed there wouldn’t be that much to do. I was, however, completely wrong and there is so much you can see just in the areas near Sorrento! While traveling from Sorrento isn’t always the easiest (blame the Circumvesuviana) it’s still super doable as long as you plan ahead and factor in travel time. 

Photos from various trips on the Circumvesuviana, far from the most glamorous train in the world, it does have great views of Vesuvius and the bay of Naples.

This past weekend I decided that I finally had the confidence to explore the city of Naples. I’ve heard travel bloggers describe it as “Beautiful Chaos” and honestly I completely agree. I’ve actually been to Naples twice now, once to visit the Archaeological Museum and once to visit the Ipogeo dei Cristallini as part of my class. While Rome and Venice are romanticized and try to hide their chaos, Naples embraces it. The first place I visited was Castel Sant’Elmo which is a castle with absolutely incredible panoramic views of Naples, Capri, Ischia, and the Sorrento coastline. I took the train to Naples and then hopped on the metro and used google maps to navigate to the castle itself. The best part was admission was only 3 euros but the views were incredible.

The castle had 360 degree panoramic views of Naples and the surrounding areas. The pictures don't do it justice as it was so pretty!

After Castel Sant’Elmo, I hopped back on the metro and headed to the monastery of Santa Chiara which is a beautiful monastery in Naples. Before getting there, I stopped and grabbed a Fanta and a Cuoppa, a traditional neapolitan street food of a paper cone filled with various fried foods, filled with mozzarella bites. I then spent some time walking around and exploring Spaccanapoli which is one of the famous streets of Naples. Here I really got to see the “beautiful chaos” of Naples with the narrow streets and street vendors. I really enjoyed wandering around and looking at all the stores. I also popped into a super beautiful church while I was wandering around that was beautiful and free. 

Photos from the church I went into (top) and various photos from around Santa Chiara with its beautiful tiles and bathhouse ruins, included in the cost of entry (bottom)

One thing to know is that SSC Napoli is super big both in Naples and the surrounding areas. It’s also a huge deal because they won the most recent Italian championship (2022-23) which is only the 3rd one they’ve ever won. Hometown pride is huge in Italy, especially in Naples. Also everywhere in Naples there are photos of Diego Maradonna who is a famous Argentinian soccer player who led Naples to their first and second Italian championship in the late 1980s. I think it’s probably fair to say that while San Gennaro is the on-paper patron of Naples, but Diego Maradonna is the true patron of the city. I really love that Naples has this unique, vibrant character to it. Although it’s definitely not as glamorous as Venice or Rome, it’ll always have a special place in my heart and I highly recommend you get out there and experience it if you're in Italy. 

The decorations in Sorrento from when I first arrived, they've been taken down now (top left). The rest are recent photos that I took around Naples showing the city pride in SSC Napoli and Diego Maradonna.

Besides adventures in Napoli, I had a bunch of assignments to get done during the week but also a ton of wrap-up dinners at various restaurants around Sorrento. One thing I’ve loved about studying abroad is how good (and relatively cheap) the food is here. If you’re willing to make your own meals, you can eat for less than 50 euros a week. Also when you get out of the touristy areas, the street food can get super cheap and you can spend less than 6 euros on a whole meal. I’m gonna miss all the amazing pizza, pasta, and bread I’ve had here when I go back to the US. 

I’ll be back soon (aka tomorrow) with a wrap-up blog talking about my time and reflections on the experience.

Ciao,

Reganne Watts

Aerospace Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

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Sorrento Week 9: Field Trips Galore

Ciao!

I had a super busy week this week as I had three field trips and a pizza making class! I really love how Sant'Anna has these trips incorporated into their classes because they tend to connect really well with the class topics and its cool to draw those connections between the topics and the actual places. I also decided to explore some sites in Naples this weekend, but those details will be a different blog because I did so many things this week. 

On Monday, I headed to Paestum which is an archaeological site famous for its well preserved Greek Temples about 2 hours south of Sorrento. Although the drive took 3 hours, the site itself was so fascinating and we even got to walk around inside one of the temples. It was cool to see how the Romans literally built on top of the remains of the Greek city and the museum had a bunch of graves from the Ancient Greeks and Lucanians that connected with the class content. The site itself wasn’t well marked so our tour guide was super helpful in explaining the details of what we were looking for. It was an unforgettable experience as these temples are some of the best preserved in the whole world. As someone who has always wanted to visit Athens, but hasn't gotten the chance, it was really cool to see all the Ancient Greek stuff they have in Italy.

Various photos from around Paestum including of the temples, the roman forum (bottom left), Lucanian tombs (bottom right), and the council chamber where the citizens met to vote (top right)

Tuesday my physics class headed to CIRA (Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali) to learn about their research. CIRA focuses on developing technologies and supplying testing facilities which are super cool to see up close! We also got to hear from the researchers themselves which, as someone who is interested in Aerospace Engineering, I found super fascinating. It also showed how international the Aerospace field is as they discussed the various companies and government agencies that used the facilities including NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Japanese Space Agency as well as companies in Israel. I really enjoyed learning more about aerospace and it made me excited for my upcoming classes.

Deployable wing structures (Top Left); Robot printing carbon fiber structures (Top Center); Various composite structures (Top Right), and some test facilities (bottom)

Wednesday meant that it was time for Pizza making with CIS Abroad! We went back to the farm where we did the Olive Oil making experience and learned how to make pizza dough. Because the dough had to rest for at least 3 hours, we then used pre-made dough to make our own Margherita pizzas. It was cool to learn how to make pizza dough and learn more about this staple of Naples. A fun fact is that the colors of a Margherita pizza (green basil, red tomato sauce, white mozzarella) correspond to the colors of the Italian flag because it was made for Queen Marget of Italy. The pizza was also super delicious and used fresh ingredients from the farm.

The beautiful views and delicious hand made pizza.

I was once again traveling on Thursday, this time for a field trip to Ipogeo dei Cristallini, which is an archaeological site focusing on Ancient Greek graves and located in Naples. We met our professor in Naples and took the metro to get to the site. It was so fascinating to see the Necropolis of Ancient Greece and how the Romans repurposed them as the city expanded as well as see the burial practices we were discussing in class. In the one tomb, the colors were still super vibrant even after thousands of years. After the tour, our professor took us to get Pizza Fritta and Fiocco di Neve which are two classic Neapolitan street foods. Pizza Fritta is an amazing fried pizza that, unlike most US fried foods, is light and airy and filled with fresh ingredients. It’s definitely one of my favorite foods I’ve had while I’ve been here. I actually liked it so much I forgot to take a photo of it, but trust me it was amazing. Fiocco di Neve is a cream filled brioche topped with powdered sugar which was also absolutely amazing. 

Photos from around Ipogeo dei Cristallini. It's crazy to think that those decorations are over 2000 years old.

As this blog is getting long, I’m gonna wrap it up here. It’s crazy to think that I have only one more week left in Sorrento as it was finally starting to feel like home. I’m both excited to see my friends but also sad to leave Sorrento and my amazing professors I’ve had at Sant’Anna. I still have one more week and I plan to make the most of it! Especially because the weather has cooled down and you can actually go outside during the day without melting. 

Until next time, Ciao!

Reganne Watts

Aerospace Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

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Sorrento Week 8: Pasta Making and Visiting Rome (again!)

Ciao!

I’m back with another blog post. I'm starting to wrap up my time here in Sorrento (only two weeks left), so this is my last planned weekend trip away.

On Tuesday night, I went to a pasta making class as part of Sant'Anna where we learned how to make Gnocchi alla sorrentina which is gnocchi with red sauce, mozzarella, and parmigiano. They had premade the sauce for us, but we got to make the actual Gnocchi. It was so cool to learn how to make a pasta I eat at least once a week and it's something I want to try to do when I get back to the US as it's actually a super simple process. The dish itself was absolutely incredible and some of the best Gnocchi I've had while I've been here.

Various photos from the Gnocchi making process including the amazing final product.

The Trevi Fountain doesn't lie because I headed back to Rome on Friday to meet up with my friend who goes to school in the Netherlands. That night we got Peruvian food for dinner and headed to the grocery store to grab some breakfast items. We then got up earlyish the next day so we could get to the Roman Forum when it opened. This was a fantastic idea because we got an amazing overlook all to ourselves and we got to see a lot of the Forum before it got too hot out. We grabbed a quick, cheap, and delicious pizza lunch nearby before heading to the Colosseum for out entry time slot.

Photos overlooking the Forum. The overlook was empty when we got there but later on we saw it was extremely crowded.

The Colosseum was so cool but very crowded. One of my favorite parts were the various models they had which showed how it changed over time as well as how the trap doors and stuff worked. It was so cool to see this famous monument up close and it fulfilled a childhood dream of mine. One thing I will say is that if you're planning to visit the Forum and Colosseum, you have to book tickets ahead of time and, unless you get there early, expect there to be crowds. Also bring plenty of water or a reusable water bottle because it gets hot walking around the monuments.

Various photos from around the Colosseum and the different levels you can go on. It was so crowded though with all the tour groups.

While I was in Rome, I hit three different museums, each of which were absolutely amazing. The first one was Basilica di San Clemente which is a 14th century church built on top of the ruins of an 8th century church built on top of the ruins of a 1st century AD roman temple and house. Although pictures aren't allowed inside the older layers, this museum really showed how Rome was built in layers over time and had some cool frescos. The next set of museums we went to were the Capitoline Museums which span two different palaces, are some of the oldest museums in the word, and are absolutely packed with ancient statues and monuments. It was so incredible to see all the stuff packed together and to see the famous She-Wolf statue. It was truly one of the best museums I've gone to this trip because it had a huge variety of stuff (renaissance paintings, sculptures, ceramics, you name it, they had it). The last museum we visited was the Museo Ebraico, the Jewish Museum, which discussed the history of the Jewish community in Rome. This museum was fascinating but also heartbreaking as you learned about all the discrimination they faced throughout the years. It included a tour of the Synagogue which was absolutely stunning inside and taught me a lot about Jewish customs and the lives of Jewish people within the historically very Catholic city of Rome.

14th Century part of the Basilica di San Clemente (Top Left), the synagogue attached to the Museo Ebraico (Top Right), Various sculpture rooms from the Capitoline Museums (bottom)

Overall, this trip to Rome was super fun! I really enjoyed getting to see all the museums and monuments I wanted to see last time but didn't get to. It definitely was super hot, so if you go in the summer bring plenty of water, sun screen, bug spray, and a hat to help beat the heat. Also Roman pizza, which is a type of flatbread, can be a super cheap meal and is very delicious. Literally every meal we ate out, we ate pizza and it was all super good. I do, however, prefer Neapolitan pizza because I love a simple Margherita pizza.

A view from the Capitoline Museums of the Forum and Colosseum (left) and one of the various delicious pizzas I ate in Rome (right)

Stay tuned because I have three field trips planned week so I will be very busy. Also it's my last weekend in Sorrento so I'm planning on seeing some sites around Naples this weekend as I procrastinate studying for my physics final.

Until next time, Ciao!

Reganne Watts

Aerospace Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

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Sorrento Weeks 6 & 7: Food, Relaxation, and Museums

Ciao!

I’m back with another blog post. I’ve decided to combine weeks six and seven into one blog post because I got sick with a cold for most of the week and didn’t do a whole lot other than relax and recover. It’s also been so hot that doing things after class is getting difficult.

To celebrate the fourth of July, my friends and I did an “American Dinner” complete with burgers, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, and brownies! I decided to make potato salad and coleslaw because I was really craving potato salad. It was a fun experience trying to find all the ingredients as mustard and pickles aren’t really a thing in Italy. I was luckily able to find some in Dodeca, the largest grocery store in Sorrento, but it took some hunting. I’m super proud of how they turned out and it definitely satisfied my cravings. I think it’s important to note that Italian grocery stores are much, much smaller than American ones and things don’t last as long (especially bread and fruit) so I often end up shopping nearly every day. That being said, groceries are also super cheap here. I cook most of my meals and have been able to spend about 50-60 euros a week on groceries which includes my splurges on things like candies or interesting ice cream. The key is to try and think of dishes ahead of time and know what you have so you don’t buy duplicates.

Some hamburger buns I found at Dodeca with very Americanized packaging (left) and our Fourth of July Dinner (right)

I spent most of my time these last few weeks relaxing and recovering from two weekends of heavy travel as well as a cold I caught. It’s also starting to get to the time of year where going outside after like 1pm is a miserable experience so I spend a lot of time reading (I’ve been enjoying checking out ebooks from my local library) or watching TV just to beat the heat. The dorms, luckily, have great AC so you don’t have to worry about it being too hot inside. Some tips I have, besides just avoiding the sun, are to wear a hat to help shade your face, drink plenty of water, and try your best to avoid shopping at midday (try to go in the evenings or mornings). CIS Abroad planned a beach day one day where they reserved some lounge chairs at one of the beach clubs which was a fun and relaxing experience. Beach clubs are expensive (but come with sun loungers and umbrellas) so it was nice to not have to pay extra to go to one and enjoy the breeze as it was cooler than on the streets.

Photos from the beach day

This weekend, I decided to go to the Naples Archaeology Museum because it’s where many of the famous frescos and statues from Pompeii are held. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve always been interested in Ancient Greek and Roman history and savor every museum I visit. It’s also a great activity because it’s out of the blazing sun. I bought tickets ahead of time to see both the museum and the Magna Grecia special exhibition. Getting to the museum was super easy as I just rode the train to Naples and hopped on the metro line 1 and got off at the Museo stop which put me right at the Archaeology Museum. The museum itself was so cool! I had all the original mosaics, frescos, and statues from Pompeii and Herculaneum as well as some artifacts from Ancient Egypt and many pieces of Greek pottery. A lot of the museum was focused on the history of settlements in the Campania religion which was really interesting to learn about. I spent four hours just wandering around and seeing all it had to offer. It was also nice because it was inside and out of the heat. It's definitely worth a visit just to see all the splendor of Ancient Rome.

Various photos from around the museums including some amazing frescos, beautiful architecture, and a gladiator helmet.

I’m excited because I’m headed to Rome to meet my friend next weekend and I have a bunch of field trips planned next week. I’m also sad that my time in Sorrento is coming to an end as it’s been a really great experience.

Ciao! Reganne Watts Aerospace Engineering Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

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Week 5: Pompeii and Venice

Ciao!

Once again, this blog post is about a week late because I’ve been so busy recently. I still can’t believe that I’m over halfway done with my time here in Italy as I’ve been having so much fun!

On Wednesday I went by myself to Pompeii which is super easy to get to from Sant'Anna. I bought my entry ticket online through the official Pompeii website, meaning I could just walk to the gates and enter the site, saving me time by not having to stand in line to buy tickets. Once in Pompeii, I used the free audio tour on the Rick Steves Europe app (a great resource for free audio walking tours of various European cities) which covers some of the famous monuments and buildings in Pompeii. I also walked around to see the other famous sites like the Villa of Mysteries, Amphitheater, Garden of the Fugitives, and various Necropoli. I spent over 5 hours exploring the site and I didn’t even see everything!

Various photos from around Pompeii including casts of the victims (upper right) and the Villa of Mysteries (bottom left)

Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks as it gets hot exploring the ruins and there are various fountains inside where you can fill up your water bottle. Also wear good walking shoes because the site is massive and there is so much to see. If you’re a fan of ancient history, or just want to see one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, I highly recommend visiting and seeing what life was like in Ancient Rome. Between Pompeii and Herculaneum, I liked Herculaneum better because it was more manageable and there were much smaller crowds but Pompeii had a lot more important buildings to see like the fully evacuated Forum and Amphitheater.

Other photos from around Pompeii including the greek ampitheater (upper left) and one of the various well preserved "fast food stalls" aka Thermopolium located throughout the city (bottom right).

Thursday was my food and culture final and a CIS Abroad Summer 1 farewell dinner (which was at a delicious restaurant in Marina Piccola and celebrated the students only here for the month of June). Most excitingly, however, on Friday I headed to Venice! I’m pretty comfortable using the Circumvesuviana (the local commuter train between Sorrento and Naples) now and transferring between trains was easy. This train also terminated in Venice San Lucia which was the stop we were getting off at, making traveling easy as we just rode the train to the end of the line. When we got to Venice, however, it was absolutely pouring rain so we got completely soaked on our way to the AirBnb. Luckily, none of my stuff got too wet but it was definitely not my favorite way to start off the weekend.

We were in Prima (aka first class) on the way to Venice (left). The absolute downpour we got caught up in when we arrived (right)

The next day we stopped and grabbed breakfast at a cafe before heading to Libreria Acqua Alta, a cat themed bookstore that had a gondola filled with books as well as some fun souvenirs and cool photo backgrounds. We then walked around Venice to look at all the artisan shops before reaching the absolutely stunning Piazza San Marco and Doge’s Palace. We had booked a 30min Gondola tour at 3 so we quickly grabbed some pasta before heading to the meeting point. After a quick walk, we got to board a Gondola to ride through the canals! This was absolutely incredible as the ride was scenic and peaceful and 100% worth the money as it truly was a once in a lifetime experience. There is a whole culture and history around Gondolas in Venice from when locals ride on them to who can actually operate them and how you can buy one (spoiler, you can’t). We then did some more walking around and grabbed some incredible Gelato before returning to the Airbnb to rest before going out for dinner and crepes.

Various photos from Libreria Acqua Alta (top) and from throughout Venice and the gondola ride (bottom)

The next day, we left the apartment and headed to grab a quick breakfast and see some cool buildings. We saw the famous Rialto bridge as well Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo which has an absolutely beautiful spiral staircase and amazing views of the city. We then grabbed lunch and got absolutely incredible Tiramisu from I Tre Mercanti. I got Banana Caramel Tiramisu and it was one of the best desserts I’ve had while I’ve been here and they had fun flavors like traditional, pistachio, and passion fruit. We then had to catch our train back to Naples.

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo (left) and it's gorgeous view (center) as well as my incredible Banana Caramel Tiramisu (right)

Overall, I absolutely loved our trip to Venice. I seriously couldn’t believe how picturesque it was and it was cool to actually ride on a Gondola. I swear every street looked like a postcard and I’m so glad I was able to make it to Venice during my study abroad. I think that ~1.5 days was a good amount because we got to see everything we wanted to see and the island itself is pretty small, but I could definitely see spending more time here to visit the other islands or actually tour some museums. Venice also has a unique, historical feel to it as you wind through the canals and tiny streets and alleyways. It’s completely different from Sorrento or Rome in that there are no cars (or Vespas) on the island which made getting places easy but was also a little strange. If you ever get the chance to go, don’t pass it up because it was truly an incredible experience.

Some more fun photos from around Venice because it's just so picturesque

I don‘t have any big travel plans anytime soon because for the second five weeks I have classes scheduled every week day. I do, however, want to go and explore Naples sometime and specifically get to the famous archaeology museum where most of the original Pompeii frescos, statues, and mosaics are housed.

Ciao! Reganne Watts Aerospace Engineering Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

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Sorrento Week 4.5: A Weekend in Rome

Ciao

This blog post is kinda late because I was super busy last week recovering from Rome and preparing for Venice as well as end of semester stuff but I had to write about visiting Rome because it's been one of the highlights of my summer so far!

After physics on Friday, our group of 7 met at the Sorrento train station to catch a train to Naples so we could catch a train to Rome. Because the platform number is only posted 20mins prior to departure, we ended up waiting around for a while until we could figure out where to board our train to Rome. The ride itself was smooth, but we were delayed getting into Roma Termini for unknown reasons. We then checked into our AirBnb and walked to get dinner which meant that we passed by the colosseum and forum. I couldn’t believe how big the colosseum was when I first saw it, it seriously took my breath away!

Various photos of the colosseum from our first day in Rome. It's hard to show just how big it is in photos.

The next day I got up at 5:30am and we left the apartment at 6:30am so we could hit all the major sites in Rome when there were less people. We first walked to the Spanish steps and then to the Trevi Fountain to take photos. The Trevi fountain was so much bigger than I expected it to be. I don’t think pictures will ever do it justice. 

The Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain (which was absolutely stunning)

We then walked to the pantheon and were able to snag tickets for 9:30 so we grabbed breakfast and then waited in line to enter the pantheon. Because it’s a church, they’re strict about having your shoulders covered on entry and that you wear a longer skirt or shorts. Inside, there is gorgeous marble flooring and statues as well as the grave of renaissance painter Raphael. We then walked to Piazza Navona to take some pretty pictures.

The stunning Pantheon which houses the grave of the famous Renaissance painter Raphael.

After Piazza Navona, we passed by Largo di Torre Argentina (the site of Julius Caesar’s assassination) and walked to the Jewish Ghetto. The Ghetto has many reminders of the persecution faced by the Jewish community throughout history including Stolpersteine (brass plated stones placed around various european cities at the entry to buildings where holocaust victims lived). We then walked to the Altar of the Fatherland (which is a massive monument to the first king of unified Italy) and then back to the Spanish steps so we could eat at Pastificio Guerra where they give you a takeaway dish of pasta for only 4.50 which we ate on the sidewalk staring up at the Spanish Steps. We then walked back to the Airbnb to relax before grabbing dinner.

The site of Caesar's assassination (top left), Stolpersteine (top right), Jewish Ghetto (bottom left), Altar of the Fatherland (bottom right)

The next day we left our Airbnb at 9:45 to walk to a flea market and grabbed breakfast on the way. We found a place to store our backpacks so we didn’t have to lug them around the city and explored the market. Afterwards, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and some gelato before picking our bags back up. I then went to Palazzo Massimo, a palace that’s been converted into a museum about ancient Roman art including various sculptures, mosaics, and frescos. I couldn’t believe how vibrant the colors were or how intricate the mosaics were. Seriously, they were insanely detailed and in good shape considering how old they were. The statues included busts of famous emperors as well as some elaborately carved sarcophagi. If you have time, I recommend you check it out as the art was all insanely beautiful and it was an interesting glimpse into the variety of Roman art.

Various examples of the art in the museum including the crazy detailed tiles from houses of the Ancient Roman elite.

I met back up with my friends at Roma Termini where we boarded our train to Naples. Unfortunately for us, there were downed power lines so the train route was diverted and it added 45mins to our train journey so we were glad we hadn’t scheduled a later train. One thing to note about Italian trains is that I have yet to be on a train that isn't delayed by at least 20 minutes so factor that into your travel time.

Some panoramic views of Rome from the Altar of the Fatherland. I can't wait to go back and explore more museums in a few weeks!

I had a great time in Rome and I highly recommend that you visit if you’re able because you could even do it as a day trip from Sorrento (although it would be a very busy day). As for suggestions, I suggest booking places ahead of time as we couldn’t visit inside the colosseum because we didn’t pre-buy tickets and bringing a reusable water bottle (or saving a plastic one from the grocery store) as there are free water spouts all over Rome that have cold, drinkable water for free (a luxury in Italy). Also make sure to add buffer time to your travels (try to plan for a train that gets in at least an hour or more before the last train to Sorrento) because trains always seem to be delayed or have other issues and you want to make sure you can make any connections. Stay tuned for the next blog as I visited Pompeii and Venice this past week!

Ciao! Reganne Watts Aerospace Engineering Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

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Sorrento Week 4: Ischia and a Farm Tour

Ciao!

I’m back with another blog post. After finishing my first physics exam and second food and culture exam, on Monday and Tuesday respectively, I traveled to the small island of Ischia with some of my friends on Wednesday. Ischia is an island known for its mineral rich thermal baths and a popular vacation destination for Italians. The roundtrip tickets were 50 euros and we bought them online ahead of time as there are only 2 ferries between Sorrento and Ischia every day. 

A fun mosaic made of shells (left) and the beautiful streets of Ischia (right)

Getting to Ischia was similar to Capri in that we had to claim the tickets at the ticket office and chaotically wait behind a line on the pier before chaotically boarding the boat. One difference was that the ferry stopped in Procida before continuing on to Ischia and eventually going to Capri. After disembarking from the ferry, we walked 40 minutes to Castello Aragonese d'Ischia which is a 15th century castle built on a small, rocky island near Ischia.

Various views as we approached the castle

Once there, we paid the entry fee of 10 euros and began exploring the castle . The views were absolutely breathtaking both before we got there and while we were walking around. It’s so insane to think that people once lived here. As it was super hot and the climb was exhausting, I ended up leaving my friends to go and explore the castle on my own. I loved exploring the various parts of the complex from several different churches dedicated to various saints to breathtaking views and exciting ruins. I’ve always loved history so getting to explore ruins has been one of my favorite things about my study abroad experience. I highly recommend visiting the castle if you get the chance because it seriously took my breath away.

Various views from around the castle complex including the crypt, various gardens, and the battlements.

After exploring the castle, I met up with my friends at a restaurant before heading to a beach. It was a nice change of scenery and I enjoyed admiring the castle from the beach. I also got some gelato (mango and chocolate) afterwards because it was so hot outside. We then meandered through town back to the port and got on the ferry back to Sorrento after waiting because it was delayed. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend visiting Ischia (we didn't even make it to the thermal baths) was because it’s far more tranquil and less touristy than Capri and Sorrento. It was a nice change of pace and generally felt more calm and authentically Italian as it’s a huge vacation destination for Italians. Plus, as mentioned before, the castle and its views were absolutely stunning.

Thursday meant that it was time for another field trip! This time the History of Italian Food and Culture and History of the Mafia classes went to the Ponterè farm in northern Campania (the region of Italy where Naples is located). After the long, 2hr bus ride we finally got to the farm where we got to learn about the history of the area and mozzarella production in the region. We then got to see the adult buffalo in the fields as well as try and feed some baby ones before eating a delicious lunch and touring the milking room. It was so cool to learn more about how my favorite type of cheese is made, eat an amazing lunch, and see a more rural part of Italy! Plus I couldn’t believe how big the Buffalo were.

Various photos from around the farm including the milking room, baby buffalo, and a buffalo relaxing in the muddy pool (which fun fact protects their skin from the sun)

I spent Friday through Sunday in Rome, but as this blog post is getting long, I’ll be back soon with a blog post about our weekend trip to Rome so stay tuned!

Arrivederci!

Reganne Watts Aerospace Engineering Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

[umichenginabroad]

Sorrento Week 3: Olive Oil, Gelato, and Pasta, oh my!

Ciao!

This week I visited an olive oil farm, did a gelato making class, and got to tour a pasta factory as part of either CIS Abroad or the Sant'Anna Institute! It was cool to learn more about these Italian staples and how they're actually produced.

On Monday, I got to tour Frantoio Gargiulo, a local olive oil producer, as one of the cultural activities planned by CIS Abroad. This involved us walking to a Piazza where we waited for our van transfers to the farm. One of the vans was 30 minutes late which, while stressful for us, is pretty typical of Italian transportation but we all got to the olive oil farm eventually. At the farm, we were shown some of the olive trees and the old olive oil press before getting shown the new equipment. After learning how olive oil was made, we got to try some ourselves along with a sample of limoncello. I couldn't believe how many olive oils, balsamic, and other things they had for us to try! My favorites were the rosemary infused olive oil and the truffle balsamic vinegar. I ended up buying some olive oil there as it was cheaper (and higher quality) than at the store.

The olive trees (left), the variety of olive oils we got to try (center), and the amazing views from the building's terrace (right)

After class on Tuesday, I went to a gelato making class as part of CIS Abroad at Gelateria David (a local gelato place). After meeting at the restaurant, we went into the kitchen where Mario David (the owner) explained to us the differences between gelato and ice cream as well as how to actually make gelato at home. We then got to help weigh out the ingredients to make a lemon gelato and taste it after we were done. Afterwards we got cute certificates as well as a cup or cone with up to two flavors of gelato (I got mixed berry and Nutella). It was so cool to get to learn actually make gelato and understand how (and why) it's different from ice cream from someone who is clearly very passionate about his work and his family business. Not to mention that I can't complain about free gelato.

The ingredients to make gelato along with the finished product (left) and the cute certificate as well as the gelato I got after the class (right)

On Wednesday, I had a field trip to Pastificio Ducato D'Amalfi Gragnano which is a pasta factory about 45 minutes from Sorrento as part of my History of Italian Food and Culture. After boarding a tour bus, we drove to the pasta factory where we met our professor. At the factory, we split into two groups and got to learn about the modern pasta making process as well as do a VR experience explaining how pasta was made historically. After the tour, we got a lunch consisting of three different pasta dishes which were a marinara, zucchini, and a cheese sauce. As someone who eats pasta on almost a daily basis here, it was cool to learn about how pasta is actually produced, how its production has changed over time, and how modern machinery and historical methods live in harmony at this pasta factory. I also can't complain about free food and it was truly some of the best pasta I've had in Italy.

The actual pasta making equipment (left and center) and the marinara pasta we got to try which was my favorite pasta dish (right)

Overall, this was a very food filled week and I got to learn so much about the processes involved in making these Italian staples. I'm looking forward to going to Ischia on a day trip this week as well as a farm tour for my History of Italian Food and Culture class and going to Rome this weekend. I just have to get through the first physics exam (eek!) and the second food and culture exam.

Until next time, arrivederci!

Reganne Watts

Aerospace Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

[umichenginabroad]

Sorrento Week 2: Wine Tasting and Capri

Ciao!

I’m back with another blog post. This week I went to a wine tasting at a local Sorrento winery as part of the CIS abroad Italian culture activities. We got to try a white, rosé, and red wine, all of which were made from grapes local to Sorrento and the Vesuvio region. It was fun to see what they wanted us to pair with the wines as well as get an idea of what kinds of wine are found in the Sorrento region. I also had an exam in my Italian Food and Culture class but I think it went pretty well which is a relief. Most excitingly, however, is that on Wednesday some of my friends and I went to the Island of Capri to explore and see what it has to offer.

The beautiful table from the wine tasting including the amazing mozzarella cheese.

Getting to the island was a bit of a challenge. I decided to book tickets ahead of time on Ferryhopper while my friends ended up buying them at the ticket station. Although we were all able to get on the 8:30am ferry to Capri, they had to take the 3:30 boat back while I took the 5:45 boat. I only ended up paying 2 euros more, knew I had tickets, and got 2 extra hours to explore so I highly recommend buying tickets in advance as they sell out fast. Getting onto the boat was a challenge because, although not very big, the Sorrento port lacks signs telling you where to go and instructions for boarding the ferry. We eventually figured out where to go, boarded the ferry, and took the quick ride to Capri.

The view from Capri (left) and the Capri Harbor Marina Grande (right)

Once we were on Capri, we decided to walk 40 minutes to the Giardini di Augusto, failing to realize that the walk would actually mean a 30 minute stair climb to the city of Capri. The views were pretty, but it was exhausting so I’d recommend taking the bus from Marina Grande (where the ferries land) to Capri as it’s only 2.20 euros a ticket. Once at the gardens, we were treated to breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and the cliffs of Capri. Entrance was less than 2 euros but the photos we were able to take were stunning and it was definitely worth the climb.

Some photos from Giardini di Augusto showcasing the amazing views of the Mediterranean.

After the gardens, we walked to Piazzetta di Capri (one of the central squares) and ate lunch before hiking to Marina Piccola to swim and relax on the beach. I then said goodbye to my friends as they headed back to Marina Grande to catch their ferry while I got on a minibus to Anacarpi (the other major city on the island). The ride to Anacapri wasn’t long, but it was definitely scary as the bus driver zipped around tight turns and squeezed past other cars on the narrow roads. After getting to Anacapri, I walked to the gorgeous Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo and paid 2 euros to see the gorgeous hand painted tile floor which depicts the biblical scene of Adam and Eve getting expelled from the Garden of Eden. The tile floor, and church in general, were breathtaking and highly worth a visit if you love history and art like I do. Afterwards I strolled around Anacapri and looked in the various shops before heading back to catch my boat back to Sorrento. Boarding in Capri is equally chaotic as boarding in Sorrento, but there was at least a video board showing when the ferries were arriving at which dock which made it easier to find where I needed to go.

The busy streets of Capri (left) and the inside of the insanely beautiful Chiesa di San Michele Arcangel (right)

Overall, the trip to Capri was really fun and I’m glad I got to see so many different things and can’t wait to go back and ride the chairlift to Monte Solaro. I didn’t have any grand travels this weekend but did visit a pretty art museum in Sorrento (Museo Correale di Terranova) which has a gorgeous garden and lots of art depicting the surrounding area in addition to ceramics, sculptures, and furniture. I also went on a hike to Bagni Regina Giovanna with some friends which is a cool, natural swimming hole with roman ruins only a 40 minute walk from Sorrento. 

The beautiful gardens of Museo Correale (left) and the Bagni Regina Giovanna (right)

I’m excited because this week I have a olive oil farm tour as part of CIS Abroad, a gelato making class as part of the Sant’Anna Institute, and a field trip to a pasta factory as part of my Italian Food and Culture class so stay tuned for all my fun adventures! My friends and I also booked train tickets and an Airbnb in Rome for June 23rd-25th so I’m really looking forward to exploring Rome and comparing it to Naples and Sorrento. 

Ciao!

Reganne Watts

Aerospace Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

[umichenginabroad]

Sorrento Week 1: Visiting Herculaneum and the Amalfi Coast

Ciao!

I’m just finishing up my first week in Italy and I’ve already crossed some spots off my bucket list.  Specifically, I got the chance to visit Herculaneum and the Amalfi Coast which were both amazing! 

Because I didn’t have any classes on Wednesday, I went to Herculaneum with fellow IPE blogger Satwika. As a huge childhood fan of the Percy Jackson series, I loved getting the chance to explore actual Roman ruins, especially ones that are so well preserved. Getting to Herculaneum was easy as we just walked to the train station, bought two tickets (one for the ride there and one back) for 6 Euros total, and walked right onto an express train for the hour long train ride to Ercolano Scavi (the stop for Herculaneum) and made the short walk to the site. Admission was only 13 Euros which seemed like a great deal for how well preserved the ruins are and everything you get to see. 

A photo of me at the entrance to the site.

The photos seriously can’t do justice to the murals and colors. I highly recommend visiting Herculaneum if you are at all interested in Ancient Roman history and culture as there was so much to see. From exquisite villas and courtyards to artisan shops and the roman equivalent of fast food stalls, it was a fascinating glimpse into the lives of people in the Roman Empire. I’m excited to see Pompeii as part of my Archaeology class next semester as there are even more things like amphitheaters that have been preserved. 

Various photos from my trip to Herculaneum including some of the breathtaking murals and mosaics as well as an extremely well preserved roman bathhouse.

Saturday, CIS Abroad did a private boat tour of the Amalfi Coast. We boarded buses at 8:15am and got to the tiny port city of Massa Lubrense from which we boarded a boat and visited the towns of Amalfi and Positano. We landed in Amalfi at 11am and had until 2 to explore the various shops and streets of the city. The first thing I did with some girls I met here was tour Duomo di Amalfi which is a pretty church in Amalfi where entrance was only 4 euros. Our group then stopped and grabbed a Cuoppo, a traditional Italian street food where a paper cone is filled with various fried foods, which was delicious. We then explored the various stores and relaxed at the beach before getting back on the boat to go to Positano.

Photos from Amalfi of the Duomo (left) and the coastline and city.

Unfortunately, when we arrived in Positano it was raining so we spent a while trying to find a place to stay out of the rain. After the rain let up a bit, we then decided to explore along the main road and got some amazing views of the Mediterranean sea and of the town itself. After grabbing drinks and sharing pizzas, we boarded the boat for the trip back to Massa Lubrense and caught buses back to Sorrento. 

Photos from Positano and the boat trip there.

It was really cool to visit all these places this week. The beauty of the Amalfi Coast was incredible while the history of Herculaneum was so fascinating. I love how in Italy you can find high end resorts and thousands of years of history so close to each other. Stay tuned for my blog post next week as my actual classes start and CIS Abroad has planned a wine and cheese tasting. 

Arrivederci!

Reganne Watts

Aerospace Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

[umichenginabroad]

Sorrento Week 0: Getting Ready to Go Abroad

Ciao!

My name is Reganne and I just finished my first year at the University of Michigan. I’m studying Aerospace Engineering and doing the International Minor for Engineers and this summer I’ll be studying abroad for 10 weeks in Sorrento, Italy! I’ll be taking Physics 240, History and Culture of Italian Food, and an Archaeological Field Study course this summer at the Sant’Anna Institute. How classes work at Sant’Anna is that I’ll be taking Physics 240 for the whole 10 weeks and the first 5 I’ll take the Italian Food course and the second 5 I’ll be taking the Physics Lab and the Archaeology course. The Sant’Anna Institute likes to add experiential learning components to their classes meaning both of my humanities courses include field trips to relevant sites!

A photo from the Sant'Anna Institute's website with the building in the center (the brown multistory building located above the colorful houses of Marina Grande).

This isn’t my first time abroad but this is my first time visiting Italy. I’m super excited to get to see all the historical sites and am especially excited to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum which are two famously well preserved Ancient Roman cities that I’ve wanted to visit for years. I’ve already been looking into what historical sites and museums are located in Naples and planning how I’m going to visit them during my trip as well as thinking about weekend trips to places like Rome and Florence. I’m also excited to try all the various Italian foods as well as attempt to make my own in the cooking classes that the Sant’Anna institute offers throughout the summer.

A photo of one of the streets of Pompeii from Encyclopaedia Britannica

All that being said, I’m a little nervous about the fact that I don’t speak any Italian. I’m taking German for the International Minor which I love studying but unfortunately won’t help me with Italian. Even though Sorrento is a touristy area, and the Sant’Anna Institute is a study abroad institution, I’m still nervous about trying to navigate without speaking Italian. I expect that trying to navigate the Italian grocery stores to cook all my own meals for the first time will be a challenge. I also expect a learning curve when it comes to navigating the public transportation system that Italy has. Although I won’t use it for classes or daily errands (I’m living in the dorms on the upper floors of the Institute and Sorrento is a small town), if I want to pursue my dreams of visiting the sites of Naples or venturing further away (like to Rome, Florence, or Capri), I’ll have to use the busses, trains, ferries, and streetcars of Italy.

The left photo is the view out of my airplane window as I landed in London Heathrow (the first leg of my journey). The right is of the view from my balcony at the Sant'Anna Institute.

Overall, I’m really excited to get the chance to immerse myself in another culture (as well as meet people from a variety of different colleges and backgrounds) and to explore all that Italy and Sorrento has to offer. I’ve always wanted to study abroad and I’ve always wanted to visit Italy so it’s nice to cross some things off the bucket list. I’ll leave this blog post here because I still have to unpack all my things (one of my flights got crazily delayed) and I have a busy week ahead with classes starting Tuesday.

Arrivederci!

Reganne Watts

Aerospace Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy