Florence, Italy
April 6
Today marks the end of the hosted activities and the start of our own exploration. We begin by lugging our luggage (I guess that's where the name comes from) on 4 separate trains as we're whisked along the coast then eventually inland to Florence, Italy. Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is home of some of the most impressive collections of art in the world. Recovering from the train we dine in a local trattoria recommended by our hotel. With nothing in English, Anthony translates using his international vocabulary of food. Great choices Anthony, especially the vino!
April 7
Sleep! We start this day by sleeping in - the first time all trip. After a leisurely start to our day we tour the Uffizi Gallery. The Uffizi was built in 1560-80 as a suite of offices for Duke Cosimo I. It is now the oldest gallery in the world. Star attractions include the Birth of Venus by Botticelli and The Holy Family by Michelangelo.
Birth of Venus
Afterward we tour the Duomo - one of Florence's key landmarks. No other building in Florence stands as tall as the cathedral's enormous dome. We trudge up the 463 steps to the top of the dome. (Who would guess that 4 tiny wooden figures would feel so heavy in your backpack?) We spend the remainder of the day dodging scooters and checking the sites.
Scenes outside the Duomo
