Firenze

02/05/11

     The alarm clock sounding at 3:45 was not a pleasant noise in my ears. However, I never seem to have trouble getting up early when it’s for something like a trip somewhere. I was quick to get up and shower/get ready. We aimed to be out at the tram stop by 5 to make sure we got to the train station Termini (approximately 15-20 minutes away) in time to catch our train. As we’ve quickly learned, public transportation is anything but reliable here. After waiting at the tram stop for nearly a half hour, we were about to give up at start walking towards where we could catch a bus. As we started walking away, of course a tram came. So the large pack of us with our backpacks sprint back in the other direction to catch the tram. In the meantime, we realize some of our friends had hopped on a bus that went directly to Termini. Not wanting to lose them or miss the train, at the next tram stop we sprinted over to the bus and stopped it so we could hop on too! As we boarded the bus our friends were laughing at how funny all our faces were on the tram as we saw them get on the bus. Looking back it was quite the experience, but I would have felt utterly different had we missed our train there. Given how tired I was, there was no other option for me but to find some way to sleep. As we arrived in Florence 4 hours later, I couldn’t help but notice how different Italy was farther in the North. The train traveled through the mountains and the sight was unbelievably beautiful. We dropped our stuff off at our hostel (Plus Florence—which I might add was way nicer than our previous hostel) and proceeded on to go sight seeing. 

     We had to take advantage of every minute we had there since we didn’t even have two full days. We started out by heading to make reservations at the Accademia Galleria to see the Statue of David because normally there is a two-hour wait. However, somehow, we lucked out and there was no line when we arrived so we just went then! Seeing David in real life is nothing like seeing him in a picture. He stands 516 centimeters tall and every aspect of the carved figure is so lifelike. The amount of time that it must have taken is unbelievable to make it so perfect. We figured as long as we were in the museum, we would take advantage of all the other exhibits the museum had to offer. From the David, we headed towards the Duomo to pick a lunch place before climbing up it. We stopped at a little café called L’Crera Caffe where I had a wide variety of food and glass of wine while admiring the Duomo. Our meal consisted of salad, two kinds of bruschetta, beans, and lasagna. It was nice to get some fresh greens in a meal for once! 

Academia Galleria with the David

Lunch outside the Duomo

     Following lunch we headed back to the Duomo where we climbed up over 400 stairs to the peak of it allowing us a beautiful view of the entire city of Florence. While climbing up the stairs, I was regretting working out the day before because I could barely move as it was, let alone after climbing all the stairs! Not to mention, the stairs were very steep and narrow, making it difficult for my friends who are claustrophobic and afraid of heights! Believe me when I say the pictures don’t do the view justice. All I could see for miles were cute houses with red roofs, surrounded by mountains! I could have stood up there forever. The climb down was much simpler! 

In front of the Duomo

Staircase leading to the top

View overlooking Florence

Another view

     Next, we headed towards the Ponte Vecchio, which is a bridge filled with gold jewelry. On our trip over, we stopped to try waffles covered in Nutella! Being the sweet fanatic I am, this tasted like heaven in a bite! 

Ponte Vecchio

Lauren, Kelly, and I overlooking the river on the Ponte Vecchio

     We then traveled alongside the river towards the Piazza della Michelangelo, leading us on yet another hike up stairs. When we finally got to the top of the Piazza, we got a different view of the city, equally as beautiful. The day was far from over at this point though! 

More steps up!

View from Piazza della Michelangelo

     We headed to the Santa Croce where we visited the tombs of many famous artists, scientists, and elite families. Outside was a chocolate market that we wandered aimlessly through and I somehow managed to resist my sweet tooth and didn’t buy anything. 

Outside Santa Croce

Small glimpse of the Chocolate Festival

     From here, it was time to go to dinner at Acqua Al Due, a restaurant where Rachel Rae has visited and ate the infamous blueberry steak. We ordered a salad and melon pasta for the table, followed by a blueberry steak. I’m not ordinarily a steak person, but it was cooked to perfection and it nearly melted in my mouth. Following dinner we all split a dessert platter consisting of chocolate cake, strawberry cheesecake, fruit tart, and tiramisu! This was by far the best meal I’ve ever had and I couldn’t have been more content. We headed back to the hostel and it was nearly 10 so we quickly showered and headed on our way to a nightclub called Space. 

Entrance to Acqua Al Due

Reunited with Barry (me, Barry- studying in Milan, Timmy), we all traveled to New Orleans together last spring break

02/06/11

After not getting home until about 4 in the morning, getting up at 9 in order to check out by 10 was quite the struggle, but we made it! We went on our way to try a sandwich place that was recommended to us called Da’Vinattieri. Here I had a fresh salami Panini with blue cheese and spicy tomatoes. Everything about the food in Florence was fantastic and there wasn’t a meal I didn’t enjoy. From here my friends and I wandered aimlessly throughout the city exploring the last sights it had to offer and checking out the leather it’s famous for. With all the walking we did the previous day, our 3 pm train could not come soon enough. While I planned to study for my Italian test the following day on the train, my eyes were closed and I was out cold within the first 5 minutes of the ride until we pulled up to the station. This allowed me a little burst of energy to do the necessary studying when I got home and still go to bed at a decent hour after a very successful weekend trip to Firenze!  

Fresh bread, cheese, and meat from Da'Vinattiere