Venice is one of those places that had never been on my bucket list of places to visit. I was scared away by the insane amount of clichés I had seen everywhere (books, movies, collective imagination) and the amount of tourism, that as most had told me, had left the city like an urban corpse where no one there lives anymore following any path of "day-to-day regular lifestyle" (like, you know, those things everyone does when living in a "regular" place: go to school, go to the supermarket, fix the plumbing, just to name a few). But, despite the hordes of tourists looking for the perfect shot and having the need of being very attentive to the prices in places to eat near the center (which is basically EVERYTHING surrounding Piazza San Marco), it was one of the most amazing places I have ever visited. Not only for the already world-known beauty of its canals, and the charming and mysterious atmosphere of its houses built on the water and its narrow streets. Venice is that city in which the daily logistics are simply, different. Where it is necessary to mount the scaffoldings taking huge consideration of the foundations of wooden poles that support the buildings, and where it is necessary to move the construction cranes by boat, as well as using this modus operandi delivering the packages that Amazon sends you. It was very interesting to experience all this firsthand and take consciousness of, despite all the tourists and tourist traps and prices, there's still a bit of daily life in such peculiar place.

The city of Venice is very rich culturally and architecturally speaking. In addition to bridges as touristy as the Rialto bridge or the Ponte dei Sospiri, there are lots of museums, churches and small craft workshops where it is worth entering to take a look and support the local economy and learn a little more about the culture of the city. When we were there it was very hot, but you see me wearing the coat and high boots because the previous days it was quite cold here in the north of Italy. As always, my advice here is to always put on many thin layers and remove them if you see that suddenly begins to make a higher temperature.

How about you? Have you ever visited a place that surprised you not only because of its beauty but also because it had some particular aspect that was not very apparent at first sight?

#1 Stick with comfy shoes
When it's raining cats and dogs outside, especially in a cobblestoned city like Firenze or almost any other ancient European city, you might want not to dampen your feet in huge puddles and slippy stairs. A pair of rainboots, no matter if they're high or lower booties (like the ones I got here at Bata, which have turned into my best friends), are a nice and comfortable solution not only to step comfortably in any situation you might get in, but also, a different way to match your outfits while visiting any museum during rainy season. Avoid in any way high heels, flip-flops or similars. You don't want to slide off!

#2 The less things you carry, the better
No one likes to enter into a museum packed with people carrying around the camera, bag, coat (because it's damn warm when you get inside any building), shopping bags, selfie stick (although they aren't allowed in many museums and places anymore, though) and stuff in your hands. Instead, get a comfortable shoulder bag or tiny backpack with the basics to stroll around, so you can hold the camera comfortably and avoid undesired attention of pickpockets.

#3 Layering
Once you get inside any museum or archeological site or cultural building, you'll notice the temperature change in comparison to the exterior. My advice here when visiting a museum in a fashionable and comfortable way is wearing different thin layers to finally culminate in a thick pullover or blazer + outerwear. This way, you'll only have to take off the pullover or sweater and knot it around your waist, so your hands with get a bit extra free without carrying tons of things. Besides, once you step out the place to keep your route, it will be much easier to put it all over again.

#4 Shoulder bags are your best friends
Again talking about freedom, shoulder bags and mini backpacks shall be your best friends not only when visiting any museum, but also when doing tourism through any city. My advice here is that you don't need a ton of things to go soak yourself in hundred of years of culture: you just need your senses and maybe an smartphone with incorporated camera. Fancier accessories are just addons which will only make your visit a little bit more complicated due to crowds, lines and bag controls.

#5 ... so are pocket umbrellas
And last but not least... Have you ever visited any museum while carrying a huge umbrella? If not, I assure you it's the most uncomfortable thing E-V-E-R. Don't get into any more trouble and get yourself a pocket umbrella which will dry up in seconds and which you can fold into your bag or hang in your wrist while visiting. No more tripping over other visitors with this huge and inconvenient accessory!

Would you visit a place like this? Had you heard about San Marino or Urbino?

A couple of weekends ago we took an early bus Firenze-Genova to discover one of the biggest coastal cities in Italy, home of pesto sauce and (oh dreamy) focaccia. As I've done in our previous daytrips around the country during these three months, I decided to wear something as fashionable as comfortable and warm enough to deal with an uncertain weather and a long day of walking and touring ahead. Carrying a light, neutral but still warm coat as this Lightinthebox one I'm wearing is as important as carrying a bucket bag in which you can store everything you'll need in your day trip around any Italian city: wallet, smartphone, tissues and so on.

So, what did we do around Genova and what impression left on me this huge, historical city and its surroundings? Well, Genova it's way bigger than I expected, much bigger than Firenze but less touristy (or at least, less touristy when it comes to foreigners, because it was plenty of Italian families with their children) and there are plenty of marvelous sites to discover and take pictures in: Genova's Palazzi, its many University buildings, its commercial promenade covered in ah-mazing porches, both of Genova's ports... For a tiny moment, I kind of regretted being in a city which isn't as big as Liguria's main city and dealing with tons of tourists everyday in my way to class. But then, we all came back late at night to Firenze and I again felt really grateful that I'm having the opportunity of studying in the Renaissance capital for a year.

But anyway, I'll stop talking about nonsense and focus on the outfit. I'm still a bit doubtful when it comes to dressing up to stroll around Italy: the fact that my choices here are a much limited comparing to when at home, summed up that I can't figure out the weather (it changes like a crazy thing every-single-day) and added to the fact that you better wear comfortable walking shoes just makes everything complicated. My advice here to keep safe and warm would be wearing tons of layers: a T-shirt underneath a pullover, maybe a blazer if it's too cold and then your perfect go-to coat. A pair of jeggings, culotte pants with tights or even your favorite jeans are great to complete an Erasmus-proof outfit to survive endless adventures while being abroad.

So... Have you ever visited Genova or any city around Liguria or even Italy? What's your perfect outfit to stroll around when being abroad?

Packing for a whole course abroad is difficult and nerve-wracking enough to start figuring out the thousand situations in which you'll have to wear that coat or if you'll ever wear your high heeled shoes. If you also add the stress of dealing with baggage limit present in all low-cost European airlines, you'll probably end up with a headache for at least a couple of months prior leaving to your next destination.

Instead of that, do as I did and not only plan ahead of time (seriously guys: it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to figure out a year full of different situations and events in just three days) but also get some versatile pieces for your closet abroad to be flexible, chic and ready to rock any cobblestoned streets you might find in your way!

I will never stop counting the many perks of carrying with you a huge scarf. Plus points if it's made of wool or anything cozy to keep warm in freezing European Winter. Scarves are amazing pieces to carry on your luggage for your year abroad, because you can pair them up with anything, use them to cover up when visiting some monuments, wear them in different ways as turban or to tie up your hair in a ponytail. I already showed you some ways to sport your shawl or envolvent scarf at the Something Fashion x Louve de Nordneg collaboration we shot a couple of years ago, check it out!

And nope, when I say walking shoes I'm not referring to sneakers or sport shoes necessarily! Walking shoes can be low heeled booties, a pair of velcro sneakers with thick sole and jewelery attached or a pair of flats. Here, I must confess that I totally screwed it carrying too many flat ballerinas which aren't comfortable enough to walk through italian streets, as they get in between the cobblestones and sometimes they flip. In that case, now my favorite pair of walking shoes to stroll Firenze are Zaful's rhinestone slip-ons and the rain booties I purchased at Bata.

European winters are, like, the worst thing ever. I came to Italy from a coastal city which has this microclimate with temperatures not going below the 9ºC near January, and where you can sport easily a medium coat and a pullover without freezing. Now, I'm living in a city near the hills, upper in the map referring to Valencia and where people has adapted to cold in an amazing, super stylish way, sporting fur coats and super cozy pieces worth any catwalk.

So, my advice here for your closet abroad is that, except if you're traveling to the tropic, bring a warm but light coat (you don't want to exceed the weight limit in your baggage!) in a neutral color, like light brown, military green, black or grey. This way, you can wear it in different ways only changing your hairstyle and accessories!

My Noé bucket bag is my absolute go-to when I don't want to carry around my huge school bag where I usually carry the laptop and all the university stuff. It is big enough to carry a few necessary things when living abroad and going for daytrips, as a portable umbrella, my wallet, a couple packs of paper kerchiefs, smartphone and so on ("what's in my bag living in Italy edition" anyone? I can see it already).

If I were you, I would take with you one or two medium to big sized bags comfortable enough to carry around, but still with enough spare space to store those things you'll need any moment or in any possible emergency.

#6 Classy and neutral dress
When living abroad you'll be likely to go out. Like, a lot. Or, if not actually going out, but you'll get invited to places, like dinners and parties at other abroad student flats or you'll even get the chance to organize your own! My advice here is staying classy and find a dress as a little black dress which allows you to wear lots of different layers both underneath or over it, as well as doing the pertinent Season change. Pick something that doesn't have any super thick fabric, but not something too thin or see-through (you don't want to freeze, remember?). The key here is being able to wear your dress in as many occassions as possible doing minor changes and accessorizing differently.

I know from (oh magical) stats that many of you come mainly from across the Atlantic Ocean and many other places across the globe. Those of us who where born and have breathed Europe for all of our lives (although is no big deal actually), know a little bit what's like to visit crowded historical centers, battle with ancient floorings no matter sunny or rainy (hi, my beloved clobberstones!) and entering mesmerizing churches without being kicked out because of dress code (which happened to me, eventually, some years ago).

So, today I wanted to show you along with this pictures we shot last week at the Mercatino della Belle Epoque here in Firenze some useful tips that may apply to what to wear when traveling to any European city and, if not being identified as a tourist at least, help you blend in with locals a bit easily. Trust me! It only took me a week to be taken by an actual fiorentine and, you'll get extra points if you try referring to people in Italian! I feel like this post took me ages to put together, but I hope you like it and you get some inspiration for your next trip to Europe.

Avoid flashy jewelry

Sparkly necklaces and huge earrings say out loud "Rob me! I'm a tourist!". Italian women, as French, keep it super super with their jewelry. For them, it's only necessary to wear a couple of rings and a minimalist necklace or a pair of pearls in their ears to look classy and neat. I personally like to match more striking jewelry as a pair of statement earrings with a couple of less flashy necklaces or none at all.

Comfortable shoes doesn't always mean sports sneakers

Avoid wearing sports sneakers and any kind of sports gear if you don't want to be spot as a tourist in Europe. People in Italy always look super put together and classy but effortless without even thinking about pairing a pair of sneakers with anything. Instead, when heading to Europe try shoes as ballerinas, low heeled booties or leather Oxford shoes with laces. They come in different models and lots of different fits and materials, and are super comfortable to rock cobblestoned street as well.

Avoid shorts and tank tops if possible

In any European city full of churches and religious places which require what they call an "appropriate dress code" and covering up, shorts and tanks tops are a big no-no. Even in Summer. I used to wear a lot of these when I was younger, but now, even if I'm not religious and not entering churches in a daily basis, I changed my shorts and showy tops for flowy maxi dresses, palazzo pants and blouses.

Flip-flops? No way you can walk on those!

Cobblestoned streets are a serious thing that may cause serious harm to your feet. Even walking through them in regular shoes, it's been times that I've stepped wrong and I've been close to an ankle twist. So, flip-flops are a big no-no as well. You can't expect having your feet secured properly and consistently, without even mentioning the dirt and feet chafers you might get wearing those for long hours in any European city. Get a pair of proper shoes, and leave flip-flops for the swimming pool!

Limit how much skin you show

Gym clothes are for the gym

Unless you're fully equipped to run a marathon or train around your next destination, gym clothes have a purpose, and that's to serve well in the gym! As you might have noticed, here in Europe we have kind of  an obsession with keeping sorted our clothing categories each of them in their own situation. Even for going for a quick grocery shopping or to the baker's shop, is not so usual to see someone in their sweatpants. Well, it happens sometimes. But it isn't a regular thing to be seen.

Instead, we always go for a pair of comfortable jeans or boyfriend jeans, the pair of not-so-dressy shoes and a T-shirt or simple sweater. Keeping it basic while in Europe!

Backpacks or tote bags?

I personally think huge backpacks, although super comfortable and useful, are for school or college. I can't deny I've already worn them in a couple of times here in Italy, as a matter of commodity to carry with me all the stuff I usually carry in every trip, even day trips! Plus, those backpacks are an absolute burden when entering the many museums and main attractions Europe has, as you'll usually have to store them and leave everything locked down on a separate room when visiting anything.

So, my advice here is, if you're planning any trip through Europe, carry with you a small backpack or comfortable handbag on where you can keep everything that you might need (portable umbrella? My go-to. Scarve, notebook, card holder and pouch, even the photocamera...) but still it doesn't bother your way through a new place.

So, what do you usually look for when you travel to another place? Are you a museum-fan, or you prefer other activities to do during the day?

If someone had told me a couple of years ago that I was going to be living in Italy for a whole course abroad, I would have asked him to pinch me and stop joking. It's been barely a month here, but I already feel that somehow, I finally found a place where I can be whoever I want to be, a city full of culture and so many plans and things to do every week that I wish days had (at least) 96 hours. Firenze is definitely helping me to discover a magnificent new world called independence, and also, regain my long lost self-confidence due to a career called Architecture. However, and as you might know, the Erasmus scholarship isn't very high and, in a city where everything is beautiful but also damn expensive, you might want keeping your student budget tight (ruining my parents back in Spain is not my plan for this year).

The scholarship given doesn't even pay the bills (the flights booked for my return home in Christmas and back here are almost half of the monthly assignment given by the scholarship. And they were the cheapest tickets, even without any luggage) and as a student surrounded by other students and of course, tons of social life (because, I'm not here ONLY to pass my tests), group pressure is really high, involving dinners, beer-pongs, nights out at pubs and bars, organised daily-trips and so on. So, let's say I'm trying to be as careful as possible when money is involved (not that I starve, of course, but you know what I mean) and that I'm always looking for the best offers, ticket combos, free sightseeing places or things to do staying budget-friendly in Firenze.

Every first Sunday of the month, there's a museum among the huge ones (Accademia, Galleria degli Uffizi, Bargello...) with free entrance to the public. Alternatively, if you are an Architecture student of any place in the European Union, or enrolled on any kind of Beaux Arts official School or University, you also get free access! Surf the web of the most important museums and places in Firenze to discover if you have a chance to get a free biglietto.

I live very near Mercato de San Lorenzo (or also called Mercato Centrale), where I don't only go for our weekly grocery shopping with my flatmates, but also, sometimes we sneak into the food court at the second floor of this magnificent market to have a slice of pizza, a piece of delicious focaccia or just wander around and delight our senses with amazing smells and super instagrammable food displays. Less touristy than the first one, we have the Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio, where there's also a food court and is very near our Architecture School, so, it's 100% student friendly!

I was very determined to re-start my lost sporty routine with some sporadic runs and walks in quick pace during this year abroad. Although being a super touristy city with a crowded, impossible-to-walk-on town center (belive me: one month here and I already know more than 5 different ways to get to University for the most busy hours of the day) and a tight urban structure which obviously, has more than enough breathtaking buildings, but very few green spots; Firenze also has places where locals go for a walk and get away from the city noise. One of them is the Parco delle Cascine, which is amazingly near downtown (barely a 15-20 minutes walk) and by the Arno river. There you'll find a huge green place, with plenty of locals walking their doggies, some sport facilities and a market taking place every Tuesday morning!

I already talked about that time my flatmates and I went out quite late at night to meet a group of Spanish Erasmus's to have some drinks (hey, we are worldwide known for doing EVERYTHING late, and that includes meeting with other people) and how fascinated I was on my walk back home to discover a different city, beautifully lighted-up and most important, almost empty of people which resulted unrealistic and almost eerie. Firenze is definitely a place to walk past 9-10 p.m. By the time I've already spent here, and while going out quite a lot days pretty late, I must say I find it a greatly secure place.

I'm not a really big fan of meat, and I must confess I haven't tasted the typical dish here which is called lampredotto. Not sure if I'll try it, because although it smells great and I've been assured it tastes as great as it looks, I'm not very attracted to the fact that it is made from the fourth and final stomach of a cow. However, there are other things that I absolutely love here when it comes to food, and I assure you that I haven't eaten AS MUCH for so less in any place in all my life. My recommendation here is step out of the center of Firenze, and don't get caught on those gelaterias and pizzerias and paninerias right near the Duomo. Instead, go around the Santa Maria Novella train station or a bit further, at the Oltrarno neighbourhood (the other side of the river) for the best local places.

It has a terrace with a cafetería that it's also super well known and talked about by locals. My first visit here was about two weeks ago for a talk about the construction and structure of the Duomo dome by one of my seminary professors at the university, and I couldn't help but be fascinated by the place, both inside and outside! Check out their cultural programme, because I'd say they have a very extensive monthly calendar full of events, talks about Firenze and italian culture, a book club and much more!

Haven't done it yet. Well. Half-way through. Some tourists think Piazzale Michelangelo is the highest spot in Firenze, but it's not! I climbed with my friends in one of our first giri in town to this balcony without knowing it was another place a bit higher than that (OMG, I couldn't believe there's a place HIGHER than THAT PLACE, which almost killed me. Hi, sporty girl in #3), so, after some italian friends told me about the monastery and church at San Miniato, I knew I had to book another free afternoon to go there. It's sure worth every step!

And I think that's all folks! Although I've tried to be the most accurate possible, I'm sure I'm missing things. What is your ultimate packing list for leaving abroad? Tell me on the comments' box!