FLORENCE
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On our third day of the trip, we took the train to Florence. This very quickly became my favorite city and I was glad to know that we would be returning at the end of our trip. The city is full of energy, the scenery is stunning, and the shopping is top notch. Everywhere you look, it's a paradox of old and new. I would have loved to have spent even more time here and certainly hope to return.
Ponte Vecchio & Florence from Above
After checking into our hotel, we headed off to the Ponte Vecchio to do some shopping. What an amazing shopping experience! The jewelry that is sold here is stunning and I even found most items to be affordable. I purchased a beautiful necklace and earrings and some gifts for family and friends. After shopping, we continued to walk through the city and visit some of the famous squares of Florence. We saw the Duomo for the first time and had a delicious dinner together that evening.
The next morning, we left Florence for the hills of Tuscany via a rental van. Along the way, we stopped at a church at the highest point in Florence to see a fabulous view of the city. It was an unforgettable experience and I'm so glad that David made the effort to take us there.
Florence American Cemetery
On our way to Marcampo, we also stopped at the American Cemetery outside of Florence. This 70-acre site is the resting place of 4,399 American soldiers that died in World War II. We walked the grounds of this peaceful place reading the marble crosses and stars of David and paying tribute to their enormous sacrifice. It's a beautiful piece of American history among the hills of Tuscany.
The David
On our final day of the trip, we returned to Florence and visited the Accademia Gallery Museum where the famous David sculpture stands. David arranged a formal tour for us with a very knowledgeable guide who taught us about the works and history of Michelangelo as well as some other sculptures displayed there. It was interesting to hear her talk through the story of how these sculptures were created. The museum also has a collection of historical musical instruments, which I found very fascinating.
Last Day in Florence
After our museum tour, we spent the rest of the day walking and shopping around Florence. The street markets are amazing here. Leather products are abundant, but fashion and accessories are prominent, too. I purchased several leather bags and lots of souvenirs for family and friends. Along the way, we found a street artist who did beautiful watercolor paintings. He agreed to paint two poppies for me while I waited. I absolutely love them and continue to cherish them in my home.
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We ended our last day of the trip with a wonderful dinner at one of David's favorite spots and the food was delicious. We spent the evening reflecting on the highlights of the trip and about where we all want to travel to next. It was the perfect way to end the trip. We flew out of Florence the next morning and headed home with bags of souvenirs and a lifetime of memories.