Here are the highlights:
Uffizi
Florence is best known for its art. Generally we are not big fans of museums, but just like the Louvre and the Prado, you can't go to Florence without visiting the Uffizi, one of the greatest Renaissance art museums in the world. We spent 3+ hours in there, admiring the masterpieces such as Michelangelo's Holy Family, Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation, and Sandro Botticelli's Birth of Venus.
Galleria 
dell'Academia
Most of us have seen pictures of Michelangelo's David. But I had no idea how massive the statue is until I saw the replica at the Piazza della Signoria. Like everyone else, we wanted to see the real thing and I'm glad we did. We stood in awe at the foot of David, amazed at how "alive" it looks.
dell'AcademiaMost of us have seen pictures of Michelangelo's David. But I had no idea how massive the statue is until I saw the replica at the Piazza della Signoria. Like everyone else, we wanted to see the real thing and I'm glad we did. We stood in awe at the foot of David, amazed at how "alive" it looks.
Ponte Vecchio
This is the oldest bridge in the city. There are many shops along the bridge, mostly jewelry shops, which replaced the medieval butchers and craftsmen who originally traded there. It was quite a romantic moment where we both watched the sunset over the Arno river on this Vecchio bridge.
This is the oldest bridge in the city. There are many shops along the bridge, mostly jewelry shops, which replaced the medieval butchers and craftsmen who originally traded there. It was quite a romantic moment where we both watched the sunset over the Arno river on this Vecchio bridge.
Palazzo Vecchio
In the heart of Florence, this massive 13-century palace is still currently the city's town hall. We took the guided tour and learned its facinating stories. You can't missed its landmark tower, which graces the Florentine skyline. One of the highlights of the interior is the Hall of the 500, where the great council met back in the days. This huge room is filled with amazing frescoes.
Il Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore)
Piazza della Signoria
This is the landmark square in Florence, where Palazzo Vecchio, the replica of Michelangelo's David, and Loggia della Signoria (open-air museum) are located. We're so glad that our B&B is right there at the piazza, having this stunning view right out of our room.
This is the landmark square in Florence, where Palazzo Vecchio, the replica of Michelangelo's David, and Loggia della Signoria (open-air museum) are located. We're so glad that our B&B is right there at the piazza, having this stunning view right out of our room.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
We took a day trip to Pisa on our 2nd day in Florence. 1+ hour train ride later, we arrived at Pisa. At first glimpse of the Leaning Tower, we were surprised that it is tilted so much more than we thought! And it is just amazing that this big tall tower is still standing!! It rained periodically that day, but when it was our turn to climb the tower (only 40 visitors admitted at one time), the rain has stopped and the sun came out shining!!
Besides the well-known Pisa Tower, the architecture of the Battistero (the round building on the left of the picture below) and Il Duomo are stunning as well.
Chianti wine country
The real highlight of our trip to Italy is definitely the Chianti Country. We joined another family of four on this guided one-day wine tasting trip. The Tuscany landscape - with medieval wine castles and fields of gray-green olive groves - is simply breathtaking! I can't believe that we were there, at the sun-baked countryside of rolling greens! Ah, if you think Napa or Sonoma is beautiful, this is 100 times better!
The real highlight of our trip to Italy is definitely the Chianti Country. We joined another family of four on this guided one-day wine tasting trip. The Tuscany landscape - with medieval wine castles and fields of gray-green olive groves - is simply breathtaking! I can't believe that we were there, at the sun-baked countryside of rolling greens! Ah, if you think Napa or Sonoma is beautiful, this is 100 times better!
We were driven along the green vineyard-studded Chianti Road, which is the area that produces Chianti Classico wine (Chianti that has a rooster stamp on it!). Our first winery stop is Le Masse. While we were tasting the different types of wine, we were educated on the difference between chianti classico and the regular chianti. Le Masse's wine has a hint of iris, so it gives a pleasant frangrant to its wine and its extra virgin olive oil.
On route to the 2nd winery, we stopped by Radda in Chianti, a cute little town. Since it was around 2-ish in the afternoon, the town was sleepy as most shops were still closed from the afternoon siesta! What a nice life in Italy huh?! 2-3 hours of siesta?! It would be great if we adopt this Italian culture in the US, don't you think?! ;)
Our next stop was Montefiorelle Chianti Winery, a small family-run winery who produces small amount but excellent wine. Its vineyards, winery, cellar and shop are all located in the small medieval hamlet of Montefioralle. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous!! While we were tasting the wine and eating the homecooked meal by the owner, he told us the winery's history. Besides the chianti, we love the sweet wine (Vin Santo) that he produced very much!
Our last stop is at Greve in Chianti. We had a great time walking around and discovering this quaint little town. At night, we sat on the balcony of our room, drinking the chianti classico we bought earlier and reminiscing how wonderful our honeymoon has been so far...
The next morning, we caught a bus back to the train station in Florence, and bought another pair of train tickets to Venice!
No comments:
Post a Comment