Study Abroad Guide for the College Student: What to Do in Italy

After studying abroad myself, it is clear that the main objective of most students is to see and experience as many cultural activities as possible. Whether it be eating at the right restaurants, visiting the best sites, or just knowing where to party at night; it is best to have these things planned out in advance. The most important step when going abroad is knowing where you want to travel to on the weekends, and how often (if you can afford it).

Where to Go?

When spending a semester in Italy it is essential to make stops in Rome, Florence, Venice, and a stop somewhere in Tuscany. Each of these locations offer a unique cultural experience and are fun in a unique way. When I was in Rome I made an effort to see as many of the of the tourist attractions as possible, but also eat at the restaurants with the most Italian like cuisine. Remember, Italian food differs greatly from city to city. For example, Venician restaurants have a lot more fish on the menu than a Florence restaurant would. So keep in mind what you should eat in each respective city.

Rome
When visiting Rome be sure to visit such sites as the Colosseum, National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II (one of the most impressive structures I have ever seen), The Vatican, Circus Maximus, The Pantheon, and The Trevi Fountain. In terms of night life, I found my favorite place to go was the Campo de Fiori. This square has about six or seven different bars that each have a unique feel to them and there is even an American bar, The Drunken Clam. There are many other amazing places to see in Rome, but when only there for a weekend you will still stumble across them when walking from site to site. The truly amazing thing about Rome is that while walking you will cross a hotel, clothing store, restaurant, and then a 1,500 year old ruin. I have traveled to over a dozen countries and this is still my favorite city in the world.