Our trip to Florence (and Pisa)

First stop on our day tour was to Pisa.  Seriously folks how can you go to Tuscany and not visit the ole leaning tower???? and do this????

Don't have a clue what this is called but it is a church.  The leaning tower of Pisa is actually the bell tower for the church.  (we didn't have a guide so you can take what I'm saying with a grain of salt)

 on to Florence.....omg.  First of all, I'm sure you know how much I LOOOOOVE art, so this intrigued me

I snuck in a picture of The David.....wow, what perfection

Michelangelo was in his 20's when he sculpted him and it took him 2 1/2 years.

The Medici family took him in at 14 as a child prodigy and he worked there and was involved with them most of his life.  The Medici family was the wealthiest in Florence and one of the wealthiest in Italy.

One thing that interested me was that it was not carved out of the finest marble.  While  beautiful,  historians viewed the statue as a poor grade of marble.

the streets of Florence

The Cathedral entrance is done in mini mosaic tiles - amazing

this is the entrance into Paradise where you get Baptized.  Only locals now can be baptized here. It is made out of 24  Karat gold

the street of Florence

This was my favorite statue.  The Rape of the Sabine Woman

Cellini's "Perseus" the only bronze statue depicting the beheading of Meduca.

They say she was so ugly that when you looked at her she turned you to stone.

It is also said that she had blonde hair (which was seen as strange) and it was turned to snakes.

yikes.....

 In true tourist form.....

I think we all got a little "overloaded" and it was time to go!!!

Then we headed to Lucca, where I forgot my camera:( but had a wonderful meal.)

and LOVED the town

We got home at 12:30!

Today?  headed back to Orvieto and Monte Pulciano for some of it's famous olive oil and balsamic vinegar....then more wine tasting.

OH,,,,,and W is our designated driver....

Have a wonderful day y'all!!!

kb