Florence and Pisa (Firenze) Italy! Hey it's about time I get to blogging about my vacation in Nov. don't ya think?

After 2 sea days we arrived in the port of Livorno. This is when we were very grateful to have my sister in law with us. She served and LDS mission in Italy a number of years ago and has been diligent in remembering the language. The port is about 1 1/2 hours from Florence by bus, train or lucky for us a van (and a very good looking Italian driver!!!). Michelle dickered the price and the number we could fit in the van, whew! Then we were off for the day. We loved seeing the Tuscany country side with it's many vineyards. The little towns were so beautiful as well.

Then for our first stop, Pisa.

Scott and I had been here before and we really weren't to excited to see it again until we arrived. Last time we came by train and had to march through a street full of vendors that we didn't like it so much. But this time being taken there by this really good looking guy ahem, I mean being dropped off close to the tower, we enjoyed it so much more. It could have also been the temperature difference as well.

Then we were on to Florence.
We stopped at a park to get this beautiful picture over looking the city where the Renaissance was born. In the center you can see the beautiful dome of the Duomo (church)and bell tower. We had seen The David before so we opted out in seeing him again, this time as well we all took our MP3's with downloads from Rick Steve's. It was great even though I'm sure we looked weird following in formation around the city.






Some of the most talented of the Italian artists of the Renaissance lived and worked in Florence at one time or another - Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Donatello, and Brunelleschi - and all left their mark on the city.





Florence has had its share of tragedy along with its artistic glory. During World War II, the Germans blew up every bridge over the Arno except the famous Ponte Vecchio.




I'm looking a little confused in this picture because I was sure I could find the gelato store that has the best gelato in Italy and 8 other people were counting on me to find it. I did eventually find it and it was so worth it even if it was freezing out side!

I never realized the determined shopper my husband can be until we took him to this outside shoppers paradise and he went in search of a leather wallet. The leather in Florence is supposed to be the best in the world, so can you blame him?


Then we had to touch the famous pig or boars nose so you can return again to this beautiful city!!!

Then back to find our driver to return to the ship for hot chocolate and FOOD. It was a wonderful day and the next stop was Rome (Roma)!