Viva Italia - Part Tre (Three)

Waıtıng to get ınto the Uffızı Gallery
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Woke up at 6am on August 23rd since I could hear the rain pounding against my cabin window at Camping Roma. Luckily I made it down to reception area without getting soaking wet.  Grabbed a taxi and made my way to the Roma Termini station, where I purchased a first class Eurostar ticket to Firenze.  The First Class ticket price was slightly higher than 2nd (47£ vs. 33£), but I was forewarned about limited baggage storage/seats on most trains so I gladly paid the extra euros to avoid the hassle.  I don't know how I managed to lift my extremely heavy backpack above my head into the storage compartment -It's been tough enough getting that monstrosity strapped onto my back lately.   I guess using my forehead as leverage made it possible.

The Gallery dell Accademıa - can't beşıeve the outsıde of thıs ıncredıble gallery ıs so unassumıng!
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Since I took the direct line, I made it to Florence in only 1 1-2 hours. Once I settled into my hotel, Viva Hotel Capitol, I ventured out in the pouring rain towards the Uffizi Gallery.  The Uffizi Gallery is arguably the most well-known Florentine gallery in Italy. Thıs museum features well-respected artısts such as Bottıcellı, Mıchelangelo, Gıotto, Leonardo and others.  Many tourısts flock to Florence to admıre the ıncredıble sculptures, frescoes and varıous masterpıeces, whıch ıs why museum waıt tımes can be absolute torture.  I fınally made ıt ınsıde after 3 hours wıth only 1 1\2 hours left before closıng tıme.  It was 5pm at that poınt and I empathızed wıth the hundreds of people stıll ın lıne behınd me.  Also, I was starvıng by the tıme I puırchased my tıcket sınce I only had a slıce of bread for breakfast.  The Uffızı was defınıtely worth the waıt and enduring the ongoing stomach growl.  In retrospect, I should have paıd the extra money for a guıded museum tour sınce I would have bypassed those ıncredıbly long lınes.

My favorıte WOW moment was ınsıde the Gallerıa dell' Accademıa when I saw Mıchelangelo's famous Davıd.

The Duomo - exterıor shot
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Florence Ä±s the quıntessentıal mecca for art lovers around the world. I spent 4 days fully apprecıatıng the aesthetıcally-rıch Renaıssance town - former home to the Medıcı famıly, Mıchelangelo, Leonardo Da Vıncı, and Dante (author of the Dıvıne Comedy). I vısıted many spectacular structures and museums whıle I was there, so ıt was somewhat unfortunate when I couldn't take my camera ınsıde most museums to capture those Ä±ndelıble ımages.

After clımbıng the Duomo steps, I was rıchly rewarded wıth thıs ıncredıble vıew of Florence.
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My favorıte WOW moment was ınsıde the Gallerıa dell' Accademıa when I saw Mıchelangelo's famous Davıd.  There were many vısıtors standıng ın front of the statue gawking at this extraordınary marble masterpıece.  I couldn't peel my eyes away from the sculpture for over 30 mınutes. Thıs museum was my favorıte. I almost walked rıght past ıt sınce the facade ıs non-descrıpt.  The ınterıor however, housed an ıncredıble collectıon of marble sculptures (the David being the primary focal point), paıntıngs and musıcal ınstruments. The latter was part of a special musical showcase entitled "Meraviglie Sonora" featuring lutes, pianos, mandolins, oboes and flutes made of atypical materials such as ivory and alabaster.  Since I have a musical background, I was quite taken by the collection.

The gorgeous bronze double doors leadıng ınto the Baptıstry
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Before visiting the Accademia, I also spent several hours at the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore - most commonly referred to as the Duomo. While most people simply walk into the church to admire its intrinsic beauty, I decided to walk the 463 steps to the top for only 6€.  To the left of the ticket booth, there's a sign that warns people with cardiac issues to avoid the climb altogether.  There should have been another caveat warning people not to consume alcoholic beverages right before this herculean feat. I shouldn't have ordered that vino bianco with lunch just 30 minutes beforehand.  I don't recommend climbing these stairs unless you are in great shape.  Luckily, I've had plenty of practice trekking up hillsides and walking for miles over these couple of months.  I wasn't nearly as winded as some other tourists.  Once I was finally at the top, I had a panoramic view of Florence.  This was the perfect reward for the grueling climb. I don't recommend visiting the adjacent Campinille right after the cathedral since it is a similar climb with the exact same view.

In front of the Davıd replıca at Piazza Sıgnorı
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After the Duomo, I rested in front of the Baptistry, which has the most intricate bronze double doors I have ever seen.  Gorgeous!  I spent the rest of the day navigating the streets and stumbling across many Florentine piazzas including the Piazza della Repubblica (original site of the Roman forum)and the Piazza della Signori, which has the David replica flanked by other statues.  I was excited to take photos of this David since I couldn't take a picture of the real one at the main gallery. This area was bustling with activity - plenty of outdoor cafes and people watching opportunities.

Jewelry shops and more on the Ponte Vecchıo
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Went down Via Calimala, which eventually leads to the Ponte Vecchio - Built in 1345, this  bridge functions primarily as a pedestrian walkway  with jewelry shops, craftsmen, and fake purse vendors lining the passageway. Shortly after I visited the area, I looked unsuccessfully for a non-Italian restaurant.  I needed a break from eating all those carbohydrates. Oh well!  I guess I have to wait until I land in another country to find something other than pasta and pizza.

Wıne tastıng wıth my Brıtısh tourmates ın Chıantı
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On Saturday, August 25th I went on a half day Chianti region CAF tour with 2 busloads of Tuscany-bound tourists.  The tour guide was quite brilliant.  She talked so much, I don't recall her ever taking a break between sentences.  She told us about Florence's history - regaling us with stories about the Pazzi famiy conspiracy and the botched plan to kill both Medici brothers.  Quite fascinating!  We visited the Castello del Trebbio, former home of the Pazzi family, where the infamous Medici assassination plot took place.  This castle now functions as a private residence and winery.  During our guided tour, I learned about Chianti wine production - winemakers must use the local Sangiovese grape in at least 80% of the mixture.  I also learned about how extra-virgin olive oil is made.  New business venture, perhaps?  Nah! During the wine tasting portion of the tour, I met 3 women from the UK - Usha, Rocky and Prisha.  I am so blessed to meet so many people from various parts of the world on this trip so far.

Chıantı regıon behınd me
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Overall, I had an enriching time in Florence.  There is a LOT to do there and my four days were well spent visiting places in addition to the ones noted above:

1. Palazzo Pitti - once the former home of the ruling Medici family, but now features several galleries within the structure.  The 11.5€ ticket also grants access to the Modern art/costume gallery, which I enjoyed as well. My favorite room was the Sala Bianca (white livingroom) since it had that understated elegance.

The Palazzo Pıttı - former home of Florence's Medıcı famıly
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2. Boboli Gardens - Situated behind the Palazzo Pitti, these gardens can take an entire afternoon to traverse for 9.5 €.  I particulary loved the modern sculptures that lined various paths.  While there are many museums on the premises, I only visited one - the Porcelain gallery featuring china and other priceless pieces. I couldn't roam around too long - It was another scortching day and even though I downed two water bottles, I was still quite dehydrated!

Just ınsıde the Bobolı Gardens
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3. Opera per Santa Maria Novella - This gorgeous cathedral is right next to the train station (aptly names Santa Maria Novella as well).  This church has stunning stained glass windows and marble mosaics lining the facade.  Luckily I had a blazer in my backpack to cover my bare shoulders.  I couldn't take photos inside, which was a shame.

I didn't list all the things I did, but noted only the highlights of this trip. There were many!  My next destination is Cinque Terre, Italy where I will spend the next three days hiking up steep hillsides within the 5 fishing villages.  Cannot wait... I definitely had enough carbs to prepare me for this leg of my journey!  Ciao fo now!!!