Firenze!
back to my favorite place i've been in italy so far...Florence.
i think my parents brought with them the rain since that's what it did for most of the remainder or our trip.
our hotel, the Granduomo, was not only perfect, but also in the perfect location...over looking the marble giant of a master piece, the Duomo of Florence. the following morning we were woken up by the beautiful and loud sounds of the Duomo bells...at 6am and again at 7am, etc. we had a 9:30am appointment to meet the guide for our 3 hour walking tour of 'Classic Florence'. We started with the most obvious...the Duomo, it's Baptistry, and tower. On our way to visit Dante's replica of a house we were able to peer into the windows and snap some photos of actual artisans sculpting replicas from the Duomo.
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| Sculpture Studio: Replicas of the Duomo |
Our tour continued to Piazza Signoria, past the Uffizi Gallery, and onto the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. We finished our tour with the tombs of Italy's most famous, Michelangelo, Galileo, and Rossini located in the Basilica of Santa Croce. Before we ended our tour I made sure to stop by the leather school connected to Santa Croce to pick up a little something and show my parents and Nick one of my favorite places in Florence. After grabbing a quick lunch we walked back over to the Ponte Vecchio where Nick purchased gorgeous cameo earrings as my 22nd birthday present. I have an issue with just buying jewelry for myself, so I make sure every piece I wear has some kinda of story or special meaning to me. Thank you Nick Wilson they mean the world to me and I check my ears at least 20 times a day to make sure they're still in! One last thing we had to do, although it's technically illegal, was "lock our love" by the Arno River and throw away the key. I know it's cliché and kinda cheesy and not something I'd normally do, but I just couldn't resist!
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| Love Lock by the Arno |
Next thing on the agenda...Cooking Class at Borgo San Luigi. I don't know where to begin! It was probably the highlight of everyones week in Italy. My mom completely took over the kitchen, like she usually does, it in her blood! My dad made sure to be the photographer and official wine and taste tester, although he didn't get away with not doing some manual labor, and Nick and I kinda stepped in when Nancie wasn't completely consumed in the preparing.
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| After preparing our meal with our Chefs at Borgo San Luigi |
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| Watch my dad in the background.. |
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| .... |
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| ... |
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...yes, Dr. William J. Krywicki
in kneading dough...
he didn't get away! |
I don't think any of us had a piece of food on our plates after the night was through or the strength to move. the second we returned to our hotel I think we all passed out, with the idea of waking up early to climb the 467 steps to the top of the Duomo Dome...it was worth it I have to say. the view from the Dome was incredible and being able to see Brunelleschi's masterpiece of frescos was great. Before we left for our next destination to Venice, we snapped some pictures in front of the Duomo and then headed to the train.
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| View from the Duomo Dome |
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| Up close view inside the Duomo Dome |
Bonjourno Venezia!
I have to say, traveling 1st class by train is great! I suggest everyone do it sometime in their lifetime...in Europe. I felt the whole time we were in Venice we had a VIP pass to everything. A private transfer from the train station by boat to our hotel, private tour of Saint Mark's Square, St Mark's Basilica, Bridge of Sighs, and Doges Palace. Because it was pouring on the day of our touring adventures and the day of my 22nd birthday (it rains or snows i swear every year on my birthday), we were given a private boat transfer and tour of the oldest glass blowing factory in Murano. My dad may have gotten away from Italy with 12 bottles of wine, but my mom got away with a gorgeous serving plate and bracelet and I left Murano with a glass black and white ring and bracelet in the color of my birth stone.
Milano! Finally. I think Nick and I kinda felt at home when we got to Milan. A cross between New York City and Paris ( i think at least). It's funny looking back 2 1/2 years ago when I met Nick that he was barely past the Tennessee boarder, never in a huge city, and definitely a country boy. And now he's been a ton of places and one of his favorites is New York City. Maybe it's the idea of opportunity the city gives off because he's such a go getter or maybe it's the change of scenery, but we both agreed Milan was one of our favorite places. I wish I could have had more time in Milan to visit some of the great exhibitions going on or shop in some of the gorgeous stores or simply explore the city. Luckily I do get to return to Milan in two weeks with the program, maybe one day I'll be able to return with Nick so he can experience more of the city. We had a three hour walking tour of the city to the Duomo, La Scala Theater, and the Castle. When we were at the La Scala we got to listen and watch a dress rehearsal. It made me want to see a play, musical, ballet, anything theatrical. I do have a secret passion for anything like that, something I really want to experience more of when I'm in Italy and when I'm back in the states. Atlanta Fox Theater here I come...in the summer, maybe. Broadway with mom and dad in April though!
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| Milan: just a great picture opportunity. |
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| Milan: another great picture opportunity. |
Our last stop of the tour was the roof of the Duomo. Not many stairs required to climb to the top, there was an elevator instead. I felt like I was cheating not climbing the famous spiral staircases of Italy churches. The view was gorgeous and it was very cool being so close to the flying buttresses and architectural elements of such a famous Basilica.
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My favorite stain glass
window: Duomo of
Milan
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| From the top of the Duomo |
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Ray Ban: made in Italy
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After grabbing a quick lunch and walking around the city for about an hour, we grabbed our bags from the hotel and rode the train back to Roma. The last night was a little hard for me to realize the three most important people in my life were leaving me. I was heading back "home" the following morning and so were they. Saturday morning I woke up to everyone getting ready and packing their bags. 6am came and I had to kiss my parents and Nick goodbye for another 5 weeks. As I ate breakfast alone, rode the train to Ariccia alone, and walked home alone, it made me miss them, it made me miss Auburn and the states. For the past few days I have been a little down, I'd lie if I said i wasn't home sick a little. But who get's this opportunity? Not many. I've been so fortunate to have had this experience that words can't express how I feel. I have 4 more weeks left, 4 more countries to visit, and I think I still have a lot more to learn not only about the things I see and places I go, but the people I live with and myself.
Well y'all, I've probably blogged your eyes out but that was Spring Break 2011.
Keep reading, keep looking at pictures, and keep loving life!
Ciao,
J.Krywicki
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