You'll find me in Florence and Pisa, Italy

Florence and Pisa - second stop of our Italian invasion.

We arrived late in the afternoon in Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station from Rome (see my previous blog about my Rome trip http://miaybanez.blogspot.ae/2013/09/roma-mia-rome-italy.html). We have to walk for almost 15 minutes from the station to our hotel.  The hotel's location is just right outside Duomo (Florence Cathedral).  We can actually see the front part of the Cathedral from our hotel's window and it was a great view.

Here is the Hotel Duomo official website: www.duomoviewbb.it

I fall in love in Florence.  Every corner is ideally romantic, the streets are full of musicians serenading everyone strolling around especially during the night.  They love music and arts as I can see.  Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and the capital of Tuscany region of Italy.  Opera was invented in Florence.

one of the musician in the streets of Florence

My first food in Florence was seafoods and it was really delicious.  I am a seafood lover.  It was great to wrap my day with a tasty red wine.

mixed seafoods

Pescota Florentine style

This is a panoramic view of Florence. The walk was not that easy but reaching the top was breathtaking.

Piazalle Michelangelo (Michelangelo's Square) - is a famous square with a magnificent view of Florence.  It is one of the most popular tourist attraction.

panoramic view of Florence

The view with the Cathedral's Dome

I actually forgot where I was and occupied myself with thoughts of love.  Florence is love.

I have to mention Pisa Italy as we visited the place because I really want to see the famous Leaning Tower.  It was an hour slow train ride from Firenze SMN to Pisa.  Pisa is a city in Tuscany on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno.

Pisa, Italy.

at the Pisa Central Railway station

on the streets of Pisa

behind is the Arno River, Pisa italy

Riggi with the leaning tower

strike a pose

Pisa is best known for the world famous Leaning Tower.  It is a freestanding bell tower of the cathedral of Pisa.  It is unintended tilt to one side.  The tower's tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure's weight. The tilt increased in the decades before the structure was completed, and gradually increased until the structure was stabilized.  It was a magical view!

Before sunset we headed back to Florence.

located in Mercato Nuovo

II Porcellino (above statue) - is the local Florentine nickname for the bronze fountain of a boar. Visitors to the place put a coin in the boar's gaping jaws, with the intent to let it fall through the underlying grating for good luck and they rub the boar's snout to ensure a return to Florence.

locks of Love at Ponte Vecchio

It was not allowed to put the locks on this site but lovers continue to ignore it and locked their love and throw the keys at the Arno River.

Ponte Vecchio and The River Arno

Ponte Vecchio (old bridge) - is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River.  It is fully occupied with shops and the present tenants are jewelers, art dealers and souvenir sellers.

Palazzo Pitti

Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) - Is the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.  It grew as a great treasure house as later generations amassed paintings, plates, jewelry and luxurious possessions.

We finished our day with a sumptuous dinner near the Cathedral.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Pasta in Alfredo sauce

We had a nice breakfast sent in our room the following day, it was such a great way to start our day as this was our last day in Firenze.

assorted breakfast

We started our day to visit the Cathedral which was just right next to our hotel but we just keep on skipping it from previous days to save the best for the last.

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

on the side was the long queue to visit the Cathedral

the facade of the Cathedral

the main door

my lab gown

Visitors who are wearing sleeveless or shorts has to pay this lab gown (as what I call it) for you to go inside the Church.

the ceiling of the Cathedral

on the side of the huge Cathedral

Santa Maria Novella

The Cathedral may not be on top of your list to visit Florence but I highly recommend you to visit it.  It is one of the most important Gothic churches in Tuscany.  There are so many magnificent works of art  by some of the greatest artists of time including Giotto.

Piazza della Signora - is an L shaped square in front of Palazzo Vecchio.  The civic centre of Florentine life.  Several other notable works of sculpture adorn the Piazza:

Fountain of Neptune

Neptune

statue of Hercules and Cacus

bronze statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa

Palazzo Vecchio - town hall of Florence

marble sculpture of the rape of the Sabine women

more sculptures

entrance of Palazzo Vecchio

marble sculpture of Michelangelo's David

David  - is very famous as it is the masterpiece of the Renaissance sculpture created by an Italian artist Michelangelo.

As you walk more from Piazza della Signora, you will reach to the Uffizi Gallery.

Uffizi Gallery is a museum in Florence.  Outside the gallery are full of statues and performing artists.

one of the artist

another artist

another artist

paintings for sale

a tourist wants a caricature of herself

busy day outside the Gallery

outside Uffizi Gallery

just a snap with the Police officer

statue of Donatello

statue of Giotto

Our train schedule to Venice was in the afternoon and we decided to enjoy the remaining hours in front of The Cathedral.

Battistero di San Giovanni / Baptistry of Saint John - is a religious and one of the oldest buildings in the city.  The octagonal baptistery stands infront of The Cathedral.  It is one of Florence's most important religious buildings, dedicated to his patron Saint, John the Baptist.

Baptistery of San Giovanni

The Eastern door of the Baptistery

This door was made for 27 years, lavishing on it all the richness of the imagination of the artist (Ghiberti).  Michelangelo defined the door as the "gate of Paradise."  It has 10 panels depicting Biblical scenes.

I promised myself to visit this City once again soon.  I love Florence and it's serenity despite of the chaotic streets because of the thousands of tourists everyday.

enjoying the birds

outside the Duomo View Bed and Breakfast Hotel

Italo train in Italy

Ciao Firenze!  Fino a quando ti vedo di nuovo!

Our video clip from Our Italian trip edited by the boyfriend.



(next blog will be for my Venezia Trip)

xox,

M


TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Disclaimer:

This is a personal blog.  The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer.

In addition, my opinions may change from time to time.  I consider this an open-minded consequence of my thoughts and personal views.  This blog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point at the time being and as such any thoughts and opinions expressed may vary in the near future.