Florence! Il Mio Preferito!

Florence was definitely my favorite city in Italy.  It was quieter and prettier than Rome.  Around every corner was something spectacular.  After taking the train from Rome, we dropped our bags at our hostel and headed out into the city.  My back got totally fried in Rome, so the first thing we did was buy a cheap tourist hat to shield me from the sun.  It worked quite well and was rather cute.  

After winding our way through the streets a bit we found our way to l'Academia where the David is kept.  We stood in line for a bit and decided we didn't want to wait there all morning, so we made our way to la Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo.  Isn't the multicolored marble gorgeous?

We got to climb to the top through little passageways and narrow staircases just as they would have done in 1500s.  We took a bunch of pictures in the little alcoves on the way up.  

It was so cool being at the top of the dome next to the murals!  The paintings are so intricate and interesting.  I can't imagine being the one to paint them so high up. 

Here's the view for the top.  Sorry for the poor picture quality.

The view from the top was spectacular!  Climbing the Duomo was definitely one of the best things we did in Italy.  

And this is why I love Florence.  Isn't it just lovely?

At every major tourist sight in Italy you will find locks with lovers names written on them to symbolize their undying love for each other.  Maybe I'll do this the next time I'm in Italy.

This is Palazzo Vecchio where The David originally stood.  This is a life-size copy.

 After taking pictures around the square we went into The Uffizzi Gallery.  The museum was huge and held so many masterpieces.  It was amazing.  Despite being art loves, with the many rooms, passageways and levels, it didn't take long before we were experiencing art overload.  Some highlights were The Birth of Venus by Botticelli and Doubting Thomas by Caravaggio which is the painting below.  

When we left the Uffizzi, we decided it was time for gelato.  Back in April I met a girl at a friend's bridal shower who served her mission in Florence.  After telling me about her favorite sites, she drew me a map to get to the best gelateria in Florence.  So, we found it and boy, was she right!  It was SO good!  So good, in fact, that we got seconds after we finished our first cone.  No joke.  This was my first cone with grapefruit, some chocolate/carmel goodness and pistachio.  Delizioso! 

And this is the famed Ponte Vecchio reflecting the light of the setting sun.  Bellissima, no?

Altogether an amazing day in Florence.  Ti amo, Firenze!