ITALY!

After arriving in Florence we took a cab to our hotel and MARVELED at the view from our window. I studied straight for three months in preparation for this trip. I wanted to know all I could about the history of the cities we visited. It was absolutely incredible looking out the window and thinking...oh my gosh, this place really exists. Right in front of me.

Beautiful.

There is really nothing like Florence. Damon and I strolled down the streets soaking in every detail. We stopped by a bakery for a snack and walked to the Academia to see the statue of David. I read that some people are able to sneak a camera in and take pictures. Yes, I snuck my camera in and no I didn't dare take it out of my pocket when I saw the security surrounding the statue. David was incredible. The detail, the beautiful marble, the size. For real...he is gigantic. People all around him sitting on benches just gazing in awe. The academia was the perfect museum. David, the slaves also by Michelangelo, and only a small amount of other famous artwork. Not hours in one place trying to hunt down a few pieces. The museum was amazing.

The streets were lined with pop-up shops. Here is a picture of a street just before we walked into shopping central. Florence had the best shopping on the whole trip.

Walking past the smaller duomo.

The next day we did the Tour of Tuscany. It was a risk considering it took up an entire day in Italy, but we quickly realized it was no mistake. When people ask us what was the best part of our trip, our response is this tour.

After we got on the bus we got our first view of the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Italy.

Quick pic as we drove out of Florence.

Green everywhere. After all, this is Tuscany.

The main reason why the Tuscany tour was our favorite was because of Sienna. There was something about this ancient city that was different. Not only was it beautiful and full of history, but the people were unbelievably kind.

This next picture is a picture of the oldest operating bank in the world. Because of this bank and the banking in the rest of the city, Sienna has become very wealthy. You would never know though because the people don't like to show their wealth. They also find no purpose in having wealth. In the tiny plaza in front of the bank was where many of Sienna's worst battles took place.

Walking down the streets of Sienna. Tourist shops on the lower floors and apartments on the upper floors. Our guide explained to us the reason why the apartments are on the upper floors. With all the fighting on the ground it wasn't safe for the people in their own homes. For their protection they built their homes higher then higher to avoid anyone having access to them and to avoid the dangers of battle. Eventually the only way to get in was with drop ladders. For hundreds of years the people of Sienna lived in fear from constant war. Our guide told us their motto now. Her words. "Our country fought for so long we will do anything to remain in peace." And they do. The people are humble, kind, and inspirational.

More views of beautiful Sienna.

The cathedral in Sienna. Another creation by architectural geniuses. Detail beyond belief.

The floors in the cathedral were covered with wood floors for so long that no one knew what was underneath them until recently. No joke. The entire floor is carved marble. The process to take the wood off the marble takes so long there is only small sections finished. It's incredible to see what is finished, what is still being worked on, and the fact that it's been covered and unknowingly walked on for so long is unreal.

I heard that Italy is known for their gelato, but I didn't really KNOW. I'm not gonna lie, I froze on this whole trip, but I couldn't deny the gelato (over and over).

Our favorite spot in Sienna. Walking down those narrow streets between the buildings with the wind plowing through...freezing. All of a sudden we walked into the plaza in the center of the city and voila. Sunshine. This plaza is where a world-famous horse race takes place once a year. The plaza fills with citizens during lunch. The just sit and the ground and eat, take a nap or whatever. It is surrounded by buildings, shops, cafes, but it was surprisingly quiet.. Damon and I took some time to relax while we waited for the rest of the tour group.

Entering the plaza.

After Sienna we hopped on the bus and drove through beautiful wine country. We stopped at a farm for a tour of the vineyard, wine press, and lunch. We enjoyed an Italian lunch as authentic as it gets. Lots of food and lots of wine. Except for us Mormons of course. No wine involved dangit. The vineyard was so beautiful. I can only imagine how it looks when it's not winter.

See the tall buildings way off in the distance? That's San Gimignano, our next stop on the tour.

Whizzing past some remnants of the city's walls.

San Gimignano. Aka Pinnochio's hometown. Another beautiful small town similar to Sienna. We ended up doing alot of shopping here for the kids.

Entering the city.

One of many torture museums.

Just for you, Mari.

The main plaza.

Narrow walkways everywhere. So cool.

Pisa!!! Home of one of the most famous landmarks in the world. There is nothing like standing in front of something as remarkable as the leaning tower. Pictures just don't do it justice. It is leaning so far it's unbelievable it can still stand. Our tour guide informed us that for a steep price we could climb the tower. Well we had no idea that was possible and we jumped at the chance. They only allow a small amount of people up at a time and we only had a matter of minutes to make it in time. The bus dropped us off and we left the group and ran for our lives. Sad story cause we missed it. Still amazing though.

You never hear much about the cathedral and baptistry next to the leaning tower but they are beautiful as well. Here is a picture of the cathedral.

Once in a lifetime opportunity to see something like this.

The baptistry.

First thing...darn lucky people who got to climb to the top. Second thing...of course we had try to snap the popular pic of holding up the tower. Way trickier than I expected. To get the best shot you had to stand on one of the pillars surrounding the grass and there are literally hundreds of people trying to get the same exact picture.

Our last full day in Florence we spent at the Uffizi art museum, the duomo, shopping, and visiting other historical places.

Statues near the Uffizi.

The Uffizi.

View of Florence from inside the Uffizi.

Plaza outside the Uffizi.

The Duomo in Florence is so famous I was really excited to see it. Next to the Duomo is a cathedral, baptistry, and other buildings. Unfortunately, because we were there over Easter weekend, all these buildings were closed. Needless to say, I was pretty disapointed. After all, how often do I go to Florence, right? We took our time admiring the exterior and still were able to enjoy it.

A small piece of the giant cathedral.

Duomo getting some work done.

The baptistry and its golden doors.

On each gold plate there's carved a Bible story. So amazing!

Real Italian pizza. I just couldn't believe Damon would pick plain old pepperoni.

Enjoying the sights of beautiful Florence.

I happened to run into yet another castle. We toured the inside then spent some time in the gardens. The gardens were endless. Acres and acres of green.

We were told to wear our backpack on the front in the castle. Damon put it on me and fastened the back so I couldn't get the darn thing off. I looked so goofy I couldn't stop laughing. After having almost no sleep since our vacation started we were exhausted and got the giggles pretty bad. We stood there for a good five minutes looking like a couple of morons laughing our heads off.

Walking into the gardens.

I told Damon I wanted to race him to the top of the stairs. Our feet were so tired and sore I thought that was the only way we would make it up. Damon took off full speed while I slowly took my time. Haha!

After walking through the gardens we decided to walk the streets and do some shopping.

We stopped and watched some chalk artists...

and the next time we passed by, this is what their picture looked like. Wow...my kids really need to work on their sidewalk chalk skills. :)

Another chalk picture slightly washed away.

I had been looking everywhere for matching aprons for Bailee and I. At the end of the day I found this lady sewing on the street. She had some mad sewing skills. I wrote down our names and she stuck the fabric under the sewing needle and moved her speedy hands to stitch our names and an Italian saying on the apron. I was very impressed and the aprons ended up looking amazing.

Next I had her sew our last name on a hotpad.

We found this little restaurant and oh yum! Best meal in Italy. The service was friendly, loud, fun, and very very slow. People there aren't in a hurry like we always are I guess.


I told Damon I wanted to stay in an authentic Italian bed and breakfast in Florence...as long as there were good reviews of the place. Lets face it. We've all seen the movies with the cockroaches in the bed sheets or bathtubs in European hotels. We found great reviews for Hotel Andrea in the middle of Florence. The hotel was on the top floor of a business building and the elevator ride up was the scariest thing ever other than that first darn flight. Probably been around since the duomo itself. We did fall in love with the hotel and the sweet family who worked there. I asked for authentic and I definately got it. It was fun and so cute but I was grateful I only chose to stay in one hotel like that.

Our shower. And sink. And toilet. All on one tiny floor.

Madrid was amazing, and of course Paris was amazing. However, next time we go to Europe, Italy would be my first choice. It's breathtaking and the people are really what makes it, well...Italy.