In my first month living in Florence, I have had the chance to explore many incredible places in and outside the city. Most of these excursions have been provided through my program, CET Florence, but there are countless other ones I can’t wait to explore in my own time. Florence is a city full of traditions and history so I hope to experience as much as possible in my time here.
Tuscan Villa Orientation
The second day of CET orientation took us to a Tuscan Villa surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills. It started off with a wine tour of the villa where we learned about the entire winemaking process. Afterwards, we sat down for lunch with what seemed to have endless courses. We had plates of meats and cheeses, bruschetta, traditional pasta with ragù, fresh bread and tiramisu. We even got to end the meal with some espresso to make the meal feel truly Italian. And of course we had to sample the villa’s wine produced on site with our lunch. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the villa’s pool where we could enjoy the sunshine and the view for a few hours before heading back to Florence. It was the perfect start to the semester and an enjoyable way to explore Tuscany.
Olive Oil Mill Tour
A short drive outside the city, you can find endless vineyards and olive groves lining the Tuscan countryside. I got to go on a private tour of one of the oldest olive oil mills in the region where we learned how the olives are harvested and pressed to make the oil. We toured the mill and learned they have been using the same trees for hundreds of years. The tour ended with a tasting of fresh olive oil on some bread with local cheese and honey - a perfect aperitivo!
Climbing the Duomo
This week I got to climb to the top of the Duomo at the heart of Florence. Our timing couldn’t have been better as once we got to the top, the sun was setting over the whole city. You could see the mountains that line the horizon outside Florence as well as all the monuments within the city. On the way up, we stopped in the first dome to view the inside of the church and all the intricate paintings along the dome walls. While climbing we also got to learn a little history about the church which I appreciated. I thought the Palazzo Michelangelo was the best way to see the city but the top of the Duomo was even better.
Cooking Class in Chianti
My friends and I took a cooking class in Chianti, about an hour outside of Florence, at a stunning villa in the Tuscan countryside. We started the day by making our own tiramisu and eventually made our way into making three types of pasta with different sauces. With the help of a chef we made tagliatelle, tortelli and gnocchi with pesto, a butter sage sauce and pomodori sauce. The best part, of course, was enjoying the meal we made overlooking the valley with a glass of local wine made at the villa. My friends and I will definitely be recreating at home; the food was easy to make and delicious!
Pesto Making at an Urban Garden
I had the experience of going to an urban garden in the heart of the city and using their fresh herbs to make a pesto. The garden itself was refreshing to see as where I live in the city does not have much green space. Additionally, the garden grows a large variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs like pomegranates, tomatoes, and rosemary. We gathered under a vine-covered canopy to hand chop the herbs we picked and mix them with oil and parmesan. The final product was not only delicious but super easy to make. This excursion led me to discover a hidden gem that is not only a green space, but a new study spot and even a place to sit outside with friends.
Lindsey Kozel
Fall 2025 – CET - Florence
Fall 2024 – GW Global Bachelor's Program - Belfast Semester
School of Business
International Business Major
The Global Bachelor’s Program