Do you ever just day dream? With Steven graduating next May, we have really started to dive into dreaming about where we could end up next year or what adventure the Lord might take us on next! When I studied abroad in Florence, I really left a huge part of me there. I can’t even explain how much I grew in that four months or how much my heart aches to go back. We pray all the time that somehow we would end up back there someday.
So today, I want to share with y’all a little bit of why my heart is so attached to Italy. Cue the photo bomb 😉
Alli Smith says
I want to go! Your pictures are beautiful! I especially love the ones of the people painting and the buildings are awesome!
Madison says
Thanks Alli! It’s my favorite place in the entire world. I’m so thankful I have these pictures to look back on, even if it tortures me to look at them because I’m not there! 🙂
Alli Smith says
I want to go! Your pictures are beautiful! I especially love the ones of the people painting and the buildings are awesome!
ricci says
Gorgeous pics!!! I have never traveled outside of the USA before!! I need to remedy that ASAP!!!
Madison says
Yes ma’am you do! It’s well worth it 🙂
ricci says
Gorgeous pics!!! I have never traveled outside of the USA before!! I need to remedy that ASAP!!!
Rachel Cox says
I need to pay you to teach me how to use my camera…your pictures are stunning!
Madison says
You can pay me in your love <3 (I'm a dork, sorry!)
Your pictures are beautiful too though! And it's not hard to take great pictures when a place is this beautiful!
Rachel Cox says
I need to pay you to teach me how to use my camera…your pictures are stunning!
Julie Hood says
i agree with everyone else–your pictures are beeeeautiful! my best friend studied abroad in orvieto and loved it–looks like italy is the place to go! 🙂
Madison says
I never went to Orvieto but I’ve heard great things. Italy is definitely THE place to go, but I may be biased 🙂
Julie Hood says
i agree with everyone else–your pictures are beeeeautiful! my best friend studied abroad in orvieto and loved it–looks like italy is the place to go! 🙂
Ashley K says
I daydream of Florence all the time! My favorite city ever. Loving these photos!
Madison says
Glad I’m not the only one! It’s just a magical place 🙂
Ashley K says
I daydream of Florence all the time! My favorite city ever. Loving these photos!
Gina Alyse says
Wow!!! What a dream! I wish I could have visited Florence during my trip abroad. I had so many friends studying there, since my school has a huge program there. They said it was amazing–and these photos just make it sound more amazing! I definitely know what you mean about leaving a part of you overseas when studying abroad. But you never know what could happen and where the Lord can take you. I hope you have a wonderful day! xo, gina
Madison says
I wish the same about Sevilla! I didn’t realize Elon has a big program there, that’s so cool! There was a student at my school who was from Wake Forrest and that was super cool to have someone else from NC!
Gina Alyse says
Wow!!! What a dream! I wish I could have visited Florence during my trip abroad. I had so many friends studying there, since my school has a huge program there. They said it was amazing–and these photos just make it sound more amazing! I definitely know what you mean about leaving a part of you overseas when studying abroad. But you never know what could happen and where the Lord can take you. I hope you have a wonderful day! xo, gina
Jessica Slaughter says
I traveled to Florence last summer, and it was definitely the most beautiful place I’ve ever been! I would go back in a second!
Madison says
Me too! Let’s go!? 🙂
Jessica Slaughter says
I traveled to Florence last summer, and it was definitely the most beautiful place I’ve ever been! I would go back in a second!
Teresa says
I’ve never been abroad but it’s my dream to go someday and travel all over Europe! My husband can take a class oversees next semester so I am not so subtly hinting to him where I want to go. 😉 You’re pictures are gorgeous! I can see why you’d love to go back someday. 🙂
Madison says
That would be so awesome! Definitely convince Chris to do that! Where would you want to go?!
Teresa says
Oh gosh, all over Europe really! He wants to go to Germany to see where his family is from and I want to go to Italy for the same reason. But we’ve also talked about Spain, Greece, and London too!
Teresa says
I’ve never been abroad but it’s my dream to go someday and travel all over Europe! My husband can take a class oversees next semester so I am not so subtly hinting to him where I want to go. 😉 You’re pictures are gorgeous! I can see why you’d love to go back someday. 🙂
Lacey Beth says
I have been to Florence as well, but only for a day on a European cruise. I saw so much beauty in a day that I cant even imagine all the beauty to be seen in four months! Also, I love your guest post on Life Could Be A Dream this morning 🙂
Madison says
I really do think Florence can capture your heart in just a day! But four months does something completely different to you! Thanks so much Lacey Beth 🙂
Lacey Beth says
I have been to Florence as well, but only for a day on a European cruise. I saw so much beauty in a day that I cant even imagine all the beauty to be seen in four months! Also, I love your guest post on Life Could Be A Dream this morning 🙂
Cassie Kent says
Ok…now you have done it. Making my heart ache for Italy. I love this place. It is special to me as well, and I have been aching to go back, but will have to wait at least for the kids to slightly older for such travel. LOVE the pics!
Madison says
Yeah it would be harder with kids! My heart’s always aching so I’m sorry I passed that on to you 😉 I’d go back in a heart beat!
Cassie Kent says
Ok…now you have done it. Making my heart ache for Italy. I love this place. It is special to me as well, and I have been aching to go back, but will have to wait at least for the kids to slightly older for such travel. LOVE the pics!
Bailey K. says
I just loved Florence and it’s bright colors and eclectic people. Is that a painting group I see? The ones sitting in chairs?
Madison says
That is my drawing class actually! Part of the reason I loved my classes that semester so much was because I was able to have experiences like that one!
Bailey K. says
Ahhh, I see. That’s amazing!!
Bailey K. says
I just loved Florence and it’s bright colors and eclectic people. Is that a painting group I see? The ones sitting in chairs?
Jenna Owens (@aSavoryFeast) says
Wow, these pictures are beautiful! Italy is definitely on my list of places to go soon.
Madison says
Yes, yes, you must! It’s another world:)
Jenna Brussee says
Wow, these pictures are beautiful! Italy is definitely on my list of places to go soon.
Jenna says
Wow, these pictures are beautiful! Italy is definitely on my list of places to go soon.
Neatly-Packaged says
Amazing photos!! I love that you studied over there 🙂 I was THISSS CLOSE to studying in Paris for a semester. What a dream <3
Madison says
I wouldn’t change it for the world! I knew I wanted to study abroad since my freshman year. It was hard when it did come up though because I was recently engaged and planning a wedding! But I’m so happy I went. Paris for a semester would have been amazing! Do you speak French?
Neatly-Packaged says
I try to! lol It is one of my undergrad degrees 🙂
Neatly-Packaged says
Amazing photos!! I love that you studied over there 🙂 I was THISSS CLOSE to studying in Paris for a semester. What a dream <3
Delia says
I just love your photos from abroad 🙂 I daydream about returning to Europe alllll the time, girl.
Madison says
Let’s go! Let’s just pack our bags and go tomorrow, okay?
Delia says
I just love your photos from abroad 🙂 I daydream about returning to Europe alllll the time, girl.
Madison says
Thanks Alli! It’s my favorite place in the entire world. I’m so thankful I have these pictures to look back on, even if it tortures me to look at them because I’m not there! 🙂
Madison says
Yes ma’am you do! It’s well worth it 🙂
Madison says
You can pay me in your love <3 (I’m a dork, sorry!)
Your pictures are beautiful too though! And it’s not hard to take great pictures when a place is this beautiful!
Madison says
I never went to Orvieto but I’ve heard great things. Italy is definitely THE place to go, but I may be biased 🙂
Madison says
Glad I’m not the only one! It’s just a magical place 🙂
Madison says
I wish the same about Sevilla! I didn’t realize Elon has a big program there, that’s so cool! There was a student at my school who was from Wake Forrest and that was super cool to have someone else from NC!
Madison says
Me too! Let’s go!? 🙂
Madison says
That would be so awesome! Definitely convince Chris to do that! Where would you want to go?!
Madison says
I really do think Florence can capture your heart in just a day! But four months does something completely different to you! Thanks so much Lacey Beth 🙂
Rachel Walker says
How funny–Italy is where we want to go next. DREAMING of visiting this gorgeous place. What’s your best travel tip on hotels in Italy? Any recs? Hopefully we’ll get to go in a year or two…I cannot wait!
Madison says
There are a few hotels I know of! I would recommend checking out AirBnB though, I think it’s a better way to travel. You rent out a room or an entire apartment and it’s a much more authentic experience. Plus you’ll be able to cook instead of eating out the entire time, which is important to me!
Rachel Walker says
How funny–Italy is where we want to go next. DREAMING of visiting this gorgeous place. What’s your best travel tip on hotels in Italy? Any recs? Hopefully we’ll get to go in a year or two…I cannot wait!
Sunshine to the Square Inch says
I can totally see why you want to go back! Whenever I hear of Florence I think of the movie While you were Sleeping. Have you seen that?
Madison says
I haven’t! I’ll have to check it out!
Beka Johnson says
I can totally see why you want to go back! Whenever I hear of Florence I think of the movie While you were Sleeping. Have you seen that?
Beka Johnson says
I can totally see why you want to go back! Whenever I hear of Florence I think of the movie While you were Sleeping. Have you seen that?
Jenna Griffin says
Ah, there’s something about those faded shutters that draw me in. When we were changing our plans from Greece to anywhere-else-in-Europe, Italy was an option…but it didn’t work out. Oh, how I would have loved to visit!
Madison says
I would’ve been a liiitle bit angry if you had gone to my beloved country! 😉 We will just have to go to Italy together 🙂
Jenna Griffin says
Ah, there’s something about those faded shutters that draw me in. When we were changing our plans from Greece to anywhere-else-in-Europe, Italy was an option…but it didn’t work out. Oh, how I would have loved to visit!
[email protected] Tree says
Such beautiful photos and what an adventure!
Madison says
Thank you 🙂 It was great!
[email protected] Tree says
Such beautiful photos and what an adventure!
Allison @ Chez?Nemmar says
Beautiful! Makes me want to run away to Florence!! <3
Madison says
Me too!! 🙂
Bailey K. says
Ahhh, I see. That’s amazing!!
Madison says
Yeah it would be harder with kids! My heart’s always aching so I’m sorry I passed that on to you 😉 I’d go back in a heart beat!