Day 7: Piti Palace

This morning, we struck out at two sites. So elected to head to the Bargello Museum, one of the top sculpture museums in the world. Inside, famous works from Donatello, Michelangelo and others. Simple mind blowing how they were apply to make master pieces out of marble.

We also saw a medevial chapel. Part of the fresco has been destroyed. Impressive non the less. No picture taking allowed

We then had an early lunch where we got the largest cup ever seen. Good thing, because we needed it. We then headed to the Piti Palace Gardens. It was impressive but lots of walking. Please see below for Mama's favorite sculpture.

Day 7: Piazza Michelangelo

We walked to this piazza, straight up hill baby. But the views were worth it. Gelato on the way eased the walk.

The Ponte Vecchio Bridge has been in some form of existence since Roman time. It is the shortest section on the Arno River. Mama walked right over and didn't realize it. Today it is laced with gold and silver dealers and with the high walls it was packed.

Final tourist destination in Florence. Dante's Museum. By that point we shuffled through it.

See the spot with all of the people. We sat there exhausted, people watching. Quiet entertaining.

We headed to an early dinner. Yummy, yummy spaghetti. We were more interested in the guy making the wood baked pizza.

Day 6: Florence

This morning, we took the early train to Florence. We started the day with a Renaissance Walk. The Duomo was closed for mass. So we headed to The Campanile, Giotto's Tower. Want to get the blood flowing in the morning, climb the tower steps. Mama's poor calfs were burning.

We then set a path to Orenmichele and the town center. So much shopping in these places. We were here early, so the town was sleepy. By this time, it was jumping.

The Uffizzi Museum was next. Who knew Michelangelo was also an artist. We also saw his work at the Academia Museum. David is simply breathtaking. Set down a long hallway, he is visible the moment come in the room. We stood there in awe.
Unfortunately no photos allowed, but they wouldn't have done justice anyway

We also hit up the Medici Chapels, again no photos. The Medici's were the ruling family of Florence. So as you can imagine, a lavish chapel.

Mike was happy with the Galileo Museum for one simple reason: michelangelo,s middle finger is in tombed in a jar, as if giving everyone the middle finger. And yes, he made me circle back to this location because he missed it the first time

Today was another big walking day. For lunch, we hit the mother load of a Japanese tourist restaurant. One after another filed in. I've never seen such a thing. We also hit up another Gelatto place. This time, lemon and cherry combo, quiet yummy. Threat of rain all afternoon, but it held off for us. Tomorrow, we hit the. Piti Palace Gardens, don't tell Mike there are no bodily parts here.

Day 6: Orenmichele Church

This church is impressive inside and out. The statutes on the outside show the evolution of art in the Renaissance. They seem jump right out at you. Inside, you still see evidence of its years as a merchant building. A weird combo, church and business

Day 6: St Croce Church

This was a pretty impressive church. Michelangelo grew up a couple blocks from the church. He is buried here as well as most of Florence's top historians. These people made the Renaissance.

Day 5: Under The Tuscan Sun

Day 5: Cooking Class

We started the day with a run in the Tuscan hills... One in particular that nearly kills me. But it was worth for the food, lol

Sometimes on a trip, you get a ton of great experiences. And we've been lucky so far. Today, however, the experience was epic. We got to cook with an old style Italian family, mom and daughter. Homemade pasta, check. Gravy out of this world, check. Antipasta, check. Chicken and rabbit cooked to perfection, check. Wonderful apple cake, check. And top it off with good wine and the most yummy lemon drink.

The food was great...the family even better. Their family had lunch with us, complete with 13 month old Flippi.

Day 5: Cortona

After the cooking class, we headed over to Cortona. Now these people know how to build a fortification. On a mountain side, walled with steep hills. It almost broke us. But somehow we managed and made it to the Church of Margretta. I have to admit we both were sweating by the top of that steep walk.

Day 4: Montepulciano

After Siena, we drove here. This a walled city that offered amazing views of Tuscany. I actually liked it a lot. We rushed through it as night was approaching. It was quiet. The locals were out. And the views

The only funny part. We were leaving and 2 Ferraris came into the small parking lot. They must have been day rentals because the one guy was terrified backing on to park. Which gave the old guys above, a really good chuckle.

Day 4: Siena

Today, we got up early to catch the train to Cortona. It wasn't hard to navigate their train system. Of course, we almost got off on the wrong stop, but luck prevailed and we made it there ok. We made a brief stop at our hotel, which is just beautiful. Middle of nowhere, just what we need after Rome. Peace and quiet

We then headed for Siena. I had read so much about and people raved, so I had high expectations. With that said, it was just average for us. That may have been more to do with the hassle of finding parking...but it continued even after entering the gates. Tourist everywhere. Charges to enter everything. And smokers, smokers, smokers. But it was nice inside, just not what I was expecting.

Day 3: Vatican