Sleepy Hollow in Lugano

Friday April 19 couldn't haven come soon enough! One of my best friends from home, Allie, was arriving in Milan and I could not wait to see her! However, I couldn't get too excited as I had a final that morning. Once complete, I headed to Milan to meet her and two of our high school friends, Matt and Eric. They were able to work it out so that we all ended up in Milan for Friday night, as Eric and Matt spent the week prior in Rome. When we woke up Saturday it was a down pour, which put a slight damper on our morning in the city. However, we didn't let that stop us and we headed to the center of the city to visit il Duomo, shop at Zara and grab lunch. After lunch, Allie and I said goodbye to the guys and headed home. Although short, it was great to see them and catch up!

Eric, Matt, Allie and Me at dinner

Sunday was still rainy and damp and with little open, Allie and I headed to the Alprose Chocolate Factory just outside of Lugano. Although small, I think the chocolate factory is a necessary stop for all Swiss visitors. After our tour we ended up in the gift shop where we were able to try some free samples and Allie was able to buy local Swiss chocolate to bring home. 

Outside of the Chocolate Factory

The following day the weather was beautiful and the sun was finally out! We started our morning with breakfast at Al Porto, my favorite Cafe, and Allie was instantly hooked.

First breakfast at Al Porto!

When I came to Lugano as an abroad student, one of the places that I didn't get to see was the village of Gandria. I knew that if I ever returned to Lugano I would have to go as everyone says it's a must! Inaccessible to cars, Gandria is a small village on the northern side of Lake Lugano, complete with narrow and winding walkways. Having Allie here was the perfect opportunity so after breakfast we started the forty-five minute trek on the Olive Path, a trail that winds around the lake. It was a beautiful little city and so much fun to explore.

Exploring Gandria

The following day with the sun still shining we headed to Lago Maggiore! Shannon picked Allie and me up in the morning to begin our journey. On our way there we stopped at the Verzasca dam, the fourth tallest dam in Switzerland. It was made famous in the opening scene of the James Bond GoldenEye movie. Today, it is the second highest bungee jump station in the world, but no worries parents- we didn't jump! 

We then continued to Ascona, a small Swiss city nestled on the lake shores of Maggiore. The city buildings are beautifully painted and many little cafes line the shore. We wandered around the city, walking in and out of stores and taking in the view. We then found a small restaurant to enjoy lunch outside, as the weather was perfect! After lunch we headed back to Lugano and later that afternoon Allie and I enjoyed some Gelato outside.

With Lago Maggiore Behind us and at lunch

Beautiful streets in Ascona

Wednesday morning came and I headed up to class for a full day and Allie went to explore the city. She navigated the windy streets like a champ and ended the day on the Lido. We met up after and headed to Ana Capri for a delicious pizza dinner with sweeping views of the city.

I've been here for a year and haven't driven once. Therefore, it was time to rent a car and get over the fear of driving in Europe. In preparation for my year abroad I learned how to drive a stick last summer and having not driven since January- I was nervous! I knew it was all in my head and that I was making a way bigger deal then it actually was but with no real reason to rent a car, I never did. Having Allie here gave me a very valid reason and I bit the bullet and rented a car to take us to Lago di Como.

Road trip ready

Thursday morning we set off to Como. Allie and I spent a good part of the day enjoying and taking in a new city. We wandered around the lake shore, people watched at a cafe and enjoyed lunch on a piazza. We ended our day in Lugano with some more gelato, something that you can never have enough of, and a home cooked meal for two!

Lago di Como

Delicious Gelato

Our last full day together came way quicker than we wanted it to! Friday morning we went back for one last breakfast at Al Porto and then wandered around Lugano before I had to head up to class. We enjoyed a great last dinner out together reminiscing about our trip.

Lake Lugano

Allie took a bus to Milan Saturday morning and safely arrived home Saturday afternoon. This past week was one I will always remember! Allie is truly a great friend and I am so grateful that she came over to visit me here in Lugano. Over the week we were able to see and do so much. It was truly a wonderful week and I could not be happier that I got to spend it with her. See you on the other side of the pond!

13.1 and done!

April 14 Jeannie and I ran our first half marathon in Edinburgh! We have been training since December and crossing the finish line was one of our greatest accomplishments. We have both always wanted to run one and with each others support and motivation throughout the training and race, we were successful. However, the tragedy of the Boston Marathon hit close to home and my thoughts and prayers are with all who ran it and are affected by it.

T-shirt, bib and medal!

Early Friday morning, Jeannie, Patrick and I made our way to Edinburgh and spent the day wandering the streets. We had rented an apartment right on the Royal Mile, putting us in a perfect location, with the major sites in close proximity.

Scottish Bagpiper

Saturday morning we started the day early and went to visit the Edinburgh Castle. The fortress dates back to the 12th century and sits atop volcanic rock, dominating the city's skyline. Starting as a royal residence, it was turned into a military base and garrison in the 15th century and thus much of it's history is centered around war, battles and sieges. Today, the fortress pays homage to this large military history. We were able to walk around the grounds, visit the military prison, the war museum, the Scottish National War Memorial and St. Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building on the grounds, dating back to 1251.

Me, Jeannie & Patrick outside the Castle

Jeannie and I then went to pick up our race packets that contained our bibs for the race! It made the approaching race so much more real and the excitement and butterflies soon began! For lunch we headed to the Balmoral Hotel to have a traditional four course High Tea, as it is referred to in Scotland. Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford is thought to have begun the tradition of afternoon tea in the early 19th century. Since dinner was often served so late, she would order tea, bread and cakes in the early afternoon to hold her over. It soon caught on and is now thought to be the quintessential English tradition. Our first course was a cauliflower soup taster, which was delicious. We then enjoyed our pots of tea with typical tea sandwiches (ham and mustard, cucumber and cream cheese, goat cheese and rocket, egg salad, and salmon- which I didn't partake in). The next course were plain and raisin scones and lastly dessert. The tea was very filling and a fun experience.

At the Balmoral for Afternoon Tea

In the afternoon we headed to King Arthur's Seat, located in Hollyrood Park, which is also where we would be starting our race the next day. King Arthur's seat is a dormant volcano reaching 822 feet above sea level, making it the highest hill in Edinburgh. The top gave great views of the city and the sea allowing us to see all of Edinburgh. We then ended the day with a tour at the Queen's Palace, located at the base of Hollyrood Park.

At King Arthur's Seat

RACE DAY!
Sunday morning we woke up to the pouring rain and howling wind, however, the bad weather didn't deter us and we headed down to the race start. The wind was so strong, our umbrellas broke and the white tents and porta potties set up were blowing over. It wasn't until after the race that we found out the wind gusts were up to 37 mph!

Braving the weather

Rainbow teasing us in the distance

A little past 9am freezing and soaking wet we began our run. At some points the rain pelted down stinging our faces as we attempted to fight against the wind. The very hilly course brought us past all the sights, so now after 13.1 miles I think I can say I've seen it all! We finally looped around and ended our run back at Hollyrood Park! This was definitely not my last half marathon and I look forward to the next one!

The last stretch...we did it!

After the race, we went and got a well deserved lunch at a cute cafe. Later that afternoon we headed to The Elephant's Cafe, better known as the Birth Place of Harry Potter and finished our weekend at The World's End Pub.
Monday morning we had a 7am flight back to Lugano and the massive amount of work the end of the semester brings.

Buona Pasqua!

Pretty Swiss Chocolate Easter Eggs!

The past few weeks, since Valentine's day really, Lugano has been prepping for Easter. Over the past year it's amazed me how the entire city really gets into the spirit of the holidays and decorates everything. It makes the city even prettier than it already is! This weekend Lugano held "Easter in the City" a festival in the center of the city with live music, children's activities and tons of vendors selling handmade and homemade goods. I was able to get some homemade strawberry jam, although not as good as my moms, it's still delicious! In Switzerland you never need a reason to enjoy chocolate, but it seems as if for Easter there was so much more of it. I've never seen as many chocolate bunnies and eggs in my life!

Hazelnut Milk Chocolate and Stracciatella Bunnies

So many Chocolate Bunnies and so many flavors

The flowers are also beautiful. Manor, a department store and grocery store, has a mini flower shop outside and it is so nice to finally see spring flowers for sale! After a long winter, I can't wait for the tulips and other spring flowers to pop up around the city!

Walking around, there were so many signs of Easter. In every grocery store they sell dyed hard boiled eggs, in such bright and vibrant colors. Eggs are apparently a forbidden food during lent (who knew?!) and because of that, in the olden days they were hard boiled to preserve them until lent was over. Also, since eggs symbolize life, they were given as gifts at Easter. Why we began to dye eggs isn't certain. However, the dying of eggs can be traced back to Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and Persia where they were dyed for spring festivals and to Medieval Europe where the decorated eggs were given as gifts.

Hard boiled eggs at the grocery store

Easter Sunday, Jeannie and her fiance, Patrick, invited me to his parent's house for Easter lunch. The food was amazing and I was able to enjoy a Swiss Easter lunch including, pumpkin Gnocchi, venison, artichoke, mushrooms and more! It was so good and so nice to have an Easter meal! For dessert, we had Colomba di Pasqua, a traditional Italian Easter cake. Colomba (which means "Dove") is similar to panettone, but does not include raisins and is usually topped with sugar and almonds.

Mini Colomba di Pasqua

Hopefully, now that Easter has passed and we're entering into April, we will see some beautiful spring weather. On my run this morning I started noticing that the flowers are beginning to bloom! Here's to hoping that Spring is here to stay! 

Spring in bloom