Florence and Pisa, Italy

Florence was another city I was excited to see... I wish we were able to really enjoy what the city had to offer by going to the museums, but unfortunately, we didn't have the time. Hopefully, someday I will return and see the art!

We spent the first half of the day in Florence...

Besides the museums, the Duomo, the 4th largest cathedral in the world, is a very striking piece of architecture. This was our view as we were walking to the cathedral. Took my breath away!

Made entirely out of marble. WOW!

The dome by Filippo Brunelleschi... The largest dome made out of brick!

Loved it here!

Those doors are huge! We just took a walking tour of the city and didn't get a chance to go into the cathedral.

Our famous pose! You can't trust your camera to anyone out there...

The Ponte Vecchio meaning, "Old Bridge" is the only remaining original bridge. Florence has been hit with floods and war time destruction, but this bridge is one that remained intact. There are shops lined up on the bridge.

River Arno... Beautiful view!

More views.

I had to post this picture, it just cracked me up with the Coke bottle and Scott's lens cap. A bottle of Coke would cost us about 2.50 Euros... Rip Off!

Sorry, just the waist up view of David by Michelangelo... This isn't the original, but a replica. Supposedly, the replica is just as good...

Basilica of Santa Croce... another cathedral. I'll tell ya, these guys knew how to make cathedrals!

Our "typical Italian lunch"

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After lunch we were off to Pisa. The drive was so beautiful. Florence is the capital city of the region of Tuscany... So we passed vineyards, sunflowers and corn fields. I wish we would have slowed down a bit to take a picture, but nope.... Just take my word for it, breathtaking!

We parked a view blocks away from Pisa's main square. When we entered, this was our view. Amazing... That tower is actually leaning!

I think seeing the Leaning Tower of Pisa was one of the highlights of my trip. It was something I only seen in books or on TV and here I am, soaking in the experience!

The Cathedral... The tower is the bell tower!

Inside the baptistery.

View of the baptistery from above!

After hiking up the steep steps to the second level of the Baptistery, you would be sweating too!

Another view of the cathedral with the tower in the background.

"Holding up" the tower!