Pisa day trip from Florence

We woke up early with the full intention of going either to Pisa or Sienna... We were still undecided. In the end while walking to the train station we opted for a day trip to Pisa. We grabbed the 845 to Pisa and were there about an hour latter. Using the public transportation. Bus system we headed into town to the Piazza dei Miracoli. What a magnificiemt qnd heautiful place Piazza dei Miracoli is, however what Heat! It was 38 degrees celcius and there was no way to hide from the sun. We dis all of our tourist photos and wanderings and then headed back to Florence in the AC of the train.

Le Bangarelli

The street vendors found all abound the Medici Capella are an amazing source of junk and good purchases. I actually came out of there with an Italian leather jacket and Carolina with a nice summer dress.

Day 2: Galleria del l'Academia

We slept in and woke around 8. We went for breakfast and then we were ready to attack the day. Making our way first to the Galleria del'Academia which hosts the David, one of Michelangelo's most famous works. Apart from David various pieces of art from all over Florence dating from the 14th to 18th centuries were on exhibit including a modern exhibit of Robert Mapplethorp contrasting hist Renaissance inspirations.

Apperitivo in Firenze

Last night after a pissolino we woke and left for a night walk and byte to eat. We found a local trattoria ristorante called Kirsch on Via Di San Gallo near Piazza San Marco. We sat and had apperitivo for 8 euros a drink (I had a mojito and Carolina a bloody mary) and an all you can eat buffet... It was very good.

We latter left by foot and walked from the Kirsch to the Medici Palazzo to Santa Maria Magiore back to the Duomo.

Arrival in Florence

We just arrived in Florence this morning on all night bus. The trip was uneventful and we were actually able to catch a bit of sleep on the bus. No idea what parts of Italy we traversed to finally wake up at 6 in the morning with a Tuscan landscape shown to us. Cypress and Olive trees everywhere interspersed with grape vineyards, Sunflower, and corn fields... Very pretty.

The walk through Florence started from the Duomo, through the historic central part all the way over to the Ponte Vecchio and then back towards Il Mercato Nuovo.

We see works by Michalangelo, and a bunch of other Renaissance artists. Too many works of art that is dizzying.

First impression of the difference between Southern and Northern Italy: 2 different countries. Calabria's charm is the fact that people won't start speaking to you in English, and that when there you are living like the locals. Florence's charm is that you don't feel like you are in the middle of some forgotten land, everything is well marked and european feeling.

We are off for apperitivo somewhere and then for a bit to eat.

Ciao