Europe 2008Our trip starts with a long drive from Florida to North Carolina (via Atlanta) to drop Drew off at camp. Tom, Erin & I will then fly to Florence, Italy for a week. Tom returns back home and Erin & I will then visit Vienna, Austria for ten days and then go on to London for another ten days.Last Day in Florence :'(- June 29, 2008 Part of the Boboli GardensView of Florence from Boboli GardensExterior of Pitti PalaceToday was a great day, but sadly it was our last day here :( We walked across the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and we went to go see the Boboli Gardens, behind the Pitti Palace, which was the home of the Medici. The gardens were so amazingly beautiful, and very picturesque. There were beautiful pathways and, everything was so green. I was taking pictures like the whole time :) Italy is such a beautiful country,...http://europe2008gayanierin.blogspot.com/2008/06/last-day-in-florence.html More of Firenze today- June 28, 2008 Bargello - courtyardGalileo's middle finger (don't even ask why!)Best Gelato in Italy!!Decided to see a couple of museums today. It is definitely better to get an early start to beat the crowds. Headed off first to the Bargello - a building built in 1255, now a musuem with its highlight being sculptures by Michelangelo, Donatello etc. Definitely worth seeing for the building alone. We then went on over to the Museo Di Storia della Scienza which was being renovated so the admission was...http://europe2008gayanierin.blogspot.com/2008/06/more-of-firenze-today.html 463 Steps To The Top!!- June 28, 2008 Some of the steps to the top of the DuomoGraffiti everywhere!View of Florence from the top of the DuomoSince we can't seem to get enough of climbing steps, we decided to climb to the top of the Duomo - 463 steps in all!! It was well worth the effort - the views of Florence were spectacular. You can also see the ceiling mural of the Last Judgment close up, and it is amazing. I can only imagine how great Michelangelo's Sistine chapel must be if this is so good. Our legs were so tired coming...http://europe2008gayanierin.blogspot.com/2008/06/463-steps-to-top.html Pisa - Day Trip- June 26, 2008 Erin tried but couldn't straighten the Tower!View from TowerDecided to take a day trip to Pisa. Took a train from Florence's Santa Maria Novella Station to Pisa Centrale station. It was a one hour trip and we got to see some of the beautiful Tuscan countryside. We hopped on a city bus in Pisa to the Piazza dei Miracoli where the tower complex is located. We decided to only climb the tower (tickets to different buildings are all sold seperately) and we did so at 11:40 am, in the blazing...http://europe2008gayanierin.blogspot.com/2008/06/pisa-day-trip.html Michelangelo's David- June 25, 2008 DavidMercato Centrale - lot's of food!Duomo ceiling fresco'sWe decided to beat the crowd and start the day early by visiting the Galleria dell Accademia with the original statue of David. It was il magnifico! The gallery also has several other sculptures by Michelangelo as well as other 15th & 16th century paintings. It was well worth the Euros!! We then shopped at the Mercato Centrale which is a large glass & steel building with all types of fresh meat, fish, vegetables, fruit,..http://europe2008gayanierin.blogspot.com/2008/06/michelangelos-david.html |