Firenze

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They say in traveling there are things worth seeing but not worth going to see. The mountains of northern Italy are worth
going to see. The most stunning scenery Ive seen of my trip, and unlike any mountains Ive ever seen before. The best American comparison are the Smoky Mountains or the tropical mountains in Hawaii, very green and very lush. It was an awesome trainride from Austria, through Northern Italy, through Tuscany and into Florence. Florence got off to a rollicking start when I noticed my camera wasnt on me. After backtracking my steps back to where I got off a bus, I found it ... ran over and smashed. Must have fell out of my pocket and later ran over. So much for pictures of Munich, Austria and Florence.

The aesthetics of Florence feel like youre still back in the 16th Century, except for the fact that it is absolutely teaming with tourists. Specifically American tourists. Maybe its because it was around Easter Weekend, but you would be hard pressed to find an Italian walking the streets. There were plenty of Italian vendors. If youre looking for gelato ice cream, walk 50 feet in any direction and you find 2 or 3 vendors. Ditto for pizza or a panini sandwhich. I entirely own up to the fact that I probably didnt stray far from the touristy places, but I have to say that I give the nod to a random slice of pizza in New York any day over a slice of pizza in Italy. The Gelato was good, though. And the chianti was excellent and cheap.

Highlights of the time in Florence would be visiting the Galleria dell'Accademia, home of Michaelangelo's statue of David. Again, worth going to see. No matter how many pictures youve seen of it, it really is breathtaking to see in person. Also visited the Galleria degli Uffizi, which houes the largest collection of Renaissance art in the world .. chock full of Michaelangelos, DiVincis, Raphaels and Boticellis. And Duomo di Firenze, which is a huge dome in the middle of the city that Michaelangelo used to model St. Peters Bascillica after. So a 3 day summary of Florence ... lots of ice cream, lots of walking, lots of art and one broken camera.

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Comments

[Kade]

"I found it ... ran over and smashed" Ahhhh man. That sucks.

[anonymous]

Did u get a new one then?