Our Adventure Begins…An Introduction to Gavinana, Florence and Italian Culture

Programs for this blog post

Drawing in the Capital of the Arts

Authored By:

Star Williams

 

I can't even begin to describe the incredible journey that 20 brave high school students have embarked on this summer. Leaving the comfort of their homes, they've traveled all the way to Italy, specifically to Florence, and the charming area of Gavinana.  Our first few days have been full of excitement; delicious food, navigating through new cities, meeting people who might just become lifelong friends, and getting our first taste of drawing in the art capital of the world! Our lovely home during our stay is in a Casale that allows easy access to the rest of the city, and a quick bus ride to Florence city center! At the Casale, students can also relax, socialize and draw in the garden, while soaking in amazing views. 

Group Pic Casale

Our first group dinner was at this adorable garden restaurant, and it was an eye-opener for everyone. We got our first real taste of Italian cuisine, starting with Antipasto, moving on to Primo, then Fritto, and finally, Dolce. By the end of the meal, everyone was absolutely stuffed, but oh-so-happy. And of course, the best part of the week is many students have tried Gelato for the first time!

Group Dinner Garden Gavinana

 

Students also got their first glimpse of the beautiful city center of Firenze (Florence), during our walking tour and dinner.  The awe and excitement of seeing Santa Croce, Palazzo Vechio and of course the Duomo, was a sight to behold!

Street Art
tour

 

We can’t wait to see what the rest of the week 1 has in store!