Hi Everyone, π
Here’s a picture tour of the very beautiful Florence. We stayed at the beautiful Plaza Hotel LucchesiΒ . We got a classic two story suite that was located right in front of the Arno river. The location and services were amazing. The staff was very helpful. The only drawback was that there was no complimentary tea/coffee in the room.
The first day we reached Florence, I was running high on fever. To add to that it rained heavily that evening so it got very cold. We took things slow and decided to check only some main locations and the statue of David by Michaelangelo.
Oh! the first thing you’d notice as you step out in Florence is the amazing leather products. They have a school of leather in Florence. So keep a look out for beautiful leather products. π
For the next day we booked a ‘Best of Tuscany Tour’ with Walk About Florence. That’s one of the best thing we did during our trip in Florence. It was beautifully well planned day tour that included a visit to Siena, wine tasting & lunch at Chianti Vineyards (which was all organic and sooo brilliant), a visit to San Gimignano, a stop at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a little drive around the beautiful town of Pisa and back to Florence. It was amazingly planned. Highly recommended if you plan to visit Florence.
We have reached Venice and honestly, I am still soaking in the beauty of the place. Venice is a dream destination. More on that later. π
Sanjeev has done some stunning photography here. Hope you enjoy the pics. π
The view from our room after it rained.
Many statues at Piazza della Signoria
Bartolommeo Bandinelli’s Hercules and Cacus
Benvenuto Cellini’s statue Perseus With the Head of Medusa
Many sides ofΒ The Basilica di Santa Maria del FioreΒ It is the largest brick dome ever constructed.
The famous Statue of David by Michelangleo. David is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture created between 1501 and 1504, by the Italian artist Michelangelo. It is 5.17-metre (17.0 ft) marble statue of a standing male nude. The statue represents the Biblical hero David, a favoured subject in the art of Florence.
The Pieta of Michaelangelo – this structure broke my heart. π The Deposition (also called the Florence PietΓ , the Bandini PietΓ or The Lamentation over the Dead Christ) is a marble sculpture by the Italian High Renaissance master Michaelangelo. The sculpture, on which Michelangelo worked between 1547 and 1553, depicts four figures β the dead body of Jesus Christ, newly taken down from the Cross, Nicodemus (or possibly Joseph of Arimathea), Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary. The sculpture is housed in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo in Florence.
The oldest bank in the world. It was found in 1472 and is operational till now. :O Beautiful windows!Β
Piazza Del Campo. The famous Palio race takes place in this square.
The very beautiful Siena Cathedral. It was built between 1215 -1263.
When you own a vineyard, you use old wine drums as vase stands. π
Made friends over glasses of wine. π Fed the cows. Something that I have rarely done in India. π
The stunning countryside.Β Hola! San Gimignano. as the Town of Fine Towers, San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls form “an unforgettable skyline”.
Things to do here – They have the best gelato in the world. And the little shops here have the uniquest of things you may ever find. Especially check out the jewellery and leather bags shops here.
Off to Pisa in a chuk-chuk train. :))
The leaning tower of Pisa actually leans! π
I gotcha! π π On our way back… π
More posts from our Europe Travel
European Summers : Rome
Rome : Day 2
Europe Italy Travel : Naples, Amalfi Coast, Positano, Sorrento, Pompeii
The Dreamy, Poetic, Magical Venice
Paris β Milan
Disneyland (Paris) β Happiest Place on Earth!
22 Responses to Florence, Italy Photo Diary