Pre-session Summer 2018
(May 16-May 30) 
Madison’s top 10 photos!
June 28, 2019
What I would deem my best 10 photos, although it was very hard to choose:
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The eventual (unfortunate) end of my adventures in Italy were centered in Milan; two days staying in the fashion capital of the world was certainly not enough to soak everything in but we attempted to. The first day we arrived in Milan from Bologna by way of a surprisingly short train ride; even the train station in Milan was beautiful, the large arched ceilings really set the bar high for the rest of the city. After dropping off our things at the hotel we ventured out to get lunch, this time in a fairly small restaurant, still serving great food that was typical for Italy and completely atypical to what I am having at home now. Following lunch we regrouped in the hotel lobby to take Milan’s Metro to the Duomo— which was alike but also completely different that Florence’s Duomo. Both were breathtaking but Florence’s Duomo was angular leading up to the grand dome while in Milan your eyes are drawn up and up to the spires guarding the rooftop. Walking through the spires was definitely my favorite part of being in Milan itself, I loved being able to get a look at the city from the top especially because there were many less steps involved than climbing to the top of Florence’s Duomo! Day two in Milan was spent venturing through the different lakeside towns of Lake Como. While we did not see George Clooney, there were still more than enough beautiful sights to take in. It was so refreshing to walk through and up the winding streets of Varenna, Bellagio and Como itself, the lake constantly lapping in the distance. It all felt like a dream, the sun shining on the water, the view of the Alps in the distance, just overall having one last good day with some new friends. Unfortunately though as we attempted to leave Como we boarded the wrong train and made a brief detour into Switzerland. While I was admittedly very stressed during the moment, once we made it back to Como and re-purchased tickets to Milan I felt myself begin to breathe again. We had to wait about an hour for our train, then take it back to Milan, which was another hour, then navigate the Metro to the stop by the hotel; I will never forget walking up those final Metro steps to see the rest of our friends calmly finishing up their gelato and just feeling myself being to laugh at the sheer ridiculousness of our past few hours. Overall Milan was great and I recommend going but I know that myself, Angelina, Marissa, Calie, and Chase all highly suggest taking a stop in Switzerland (although don’t follow our example to get there).
...Our last two days, here in Italy, were spent in Milan. My entire life, I knew Milan as the capital of fashion and design, as well as home to many famous fashion models and designers. Working for a private fashion boutique, and loving to stay current on fashion myself, a major excitement sparked for me and my visit to Milan. Not even five minutes off the train, and I was able to spot models and all the fashion brands (some native to Milan) I knew. While walking through the city later on, and while sitting on the steps of the duomo, I spent a long time people watching, and admiring the styles of the Milan natives. It was easy to spot a tourist over a Milan resident, as the differences in style were practically slapping you in the face. Hand in hand with fashion is shopping. So, I was in complete amazement while walking through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy’s oldest active shopping mall. Named after the first king of the Kingdom of Italy, the Galleria presents as a four-story double arcade in the center of town. My second favorite experience of Milan was another major landmark, the The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral. I was in complete awe of its gothic structure and intricate architecture. Luckily, I was able to do a spire walk. After climbing the many many stairs to the top, I overheard a possible tour guide say that there are more statues on this gothic-style cathedral than any other building in the world. There are 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures that decorate this Duomo. The view from the top was breathtakingly beautiful. It gave an amazing view of the city of Milan, and especially of the Galleria from the top. I decided to sit on the rooftop for awhile, and as I did all I could think about was how lucky I was to have this experience, as it was one I would never forget.
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The Coliseum looking up. I thought the angle of it, was so cool. Another picture of the Coliseum, but this time in it’s entirety. My favorite room the Vatican besides the Sistine Chapel, I was in awe of this room. I swear I have 100 pictures of it alone. One of the Pope’s Guards, in the perfect position for a shot. Michelangelo’s David. He was so beautiful and handsome, I just had to snag one. Of the one’s I took of him, this was my favorite. The ceiling above David with it’s silhouette below. It may be dark but I it’s a favorite for me. A landscape view from the Winery, on that beautiful but rainy day. A view of Venice from the gondola. The ride was so worth it and the gondolier was amazing. A beautiful picture of Venice at night from atop the Rialto Bridge. The Duomo in Milan. A beautiful view of the mountain and water of Lake Como.
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I took over 750 pictures in Italy, so it was hard to pick just 10!
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A few from Rome/early Firenze were uploaded before the rest were lost. I could have spent a straight year here taking pictures and never captured what it meant to me. I can’t wait to go back!
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For my final destination of my Italy trip, I got to explore the city of Milan. This place is known worldwide for its reputation in the fashion industry; it is one of the most popular places for fashion designers and models. It was an interesting atmosphere, because it reminded me a lot of New York City. I people-watched the whole time and was facinated by the way that most of the people dressed. Seeing so many people who looked like they just stepped off the catwalk was a big shutdown for my confidence. It is amazing that there are certain parts of the world that specialize in different passions. I love how people who are into fashion can just go to Milan, Paris, or New York City and be surrounded by other people who share their same passion for apparel. I would imagine that it is the same feeling that I have when I am at a horse show or a rock concert; it is comforting to know that you are in the presence of people who understand what really matters to you. I really felt the determined energy in Milan and I could tell that it was a city full of dreamers and believers. It is important for large groups of people to radiate positive energy together. I am not particularly interested in fashion or models, so that is why Milan was such a new territory for me to enter and attempt to relate to. I think Milan was the perfect end to the trip, because it was so familiar, yet strange to me.
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Before I flew over seas to experience Italy, there were multiple images that popped into my head when I thought of the uniquely ancient country. Two very prominent scenes that I imagined were medieval castles surrounded by armoured horses and modern day vineyards amoung rolling fields of green. Poppi is the one location that had all my wildest dreams and expectations wrapped into one. I had the pleasure of visiting Rome, Florence, and Venice prior to my excursion to Poppi, but none of those places were plentiful of grass nor castles. I was able to be emersed in and take time to understand the Italian city life before I entered into the Italian countryside. The contrast between the busy streets of Rome and the peaceful hills of Poppi is incredible. Two very different lifestyles that have their own individual benefits; I can appreciate the beauty of city-life, but in my eyes, nothing is more magical than nature. No matter where you stand outdoors in Poppi, you can always see some form of vegetation. The grass is the most vibrant green I have ever witnessed before; it is welcoming and refreshing to gaze upon througout the day. Also, the fields which are perfectly lined with crops show the passion that the Italian farmers have for taking care of their land and produce. Along with the breathtaking views of nature, there are ancient structures and castles which make you feel as though you have time travelled. Just standing at the base of a medieval castle and looking up, you can hear the clacking of horse hooves and the clicking of the draw bridges lowering. Poppi can pull you from the reality that you thought you knew about the Italy and raise you into a new reality that was created purely by the Italians centuries ago.
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