Friday, August 30, 2013

Italy : First time in Italy Part 2

As promised, from my previous post about Italy, I'll talk about Florence next but before that I'll post about Pisa first.

PISA.

Still December of 2010.

Pisa, by yours truly
top of the leaning tower of pisa

After Rome we hopped on our chartered bus that took us to Tuscany. Upon reaching it we hopped on another local bus to take us to Pisa. We got off the bus and started walking towards the entrance of the Pisa town. There you would see souvenir stalls lining up the streets. Don't forget to buy those leaning mugs and/or leaning shot glass, you won't find that anywhere else and that will make for an awesome gag gift. It's not everyday that you'll see a drunken shot glass, lol.

top of the leaning tower of pisa
the narrow stairs you had to
climb 
  Towards the entrance, ready your camera. The arched entrance would make for a good frame for the leaning Tower of Pisa. Hopefully, you'll get a gap where no people is blocking the arch. Then proceed inside. The Tower of Pisa was opened to public again that time but they only allow 20 people at a time per 30 minutes. If you did decide to climb up (like what the hubby-boyfriend-then did) be prepared to climb up 294 spiraling, narrow steps. You can buy your tickets in advance but it must be booked at least 16 days but no more than 45 days ahead of your visit thru www.opapisa.it or in person at the box offices on Piazza dei Miracoli. Tickets cost €17 in advance (guaranteeing you a set entrance time) or €15 at the box office (but with no guarantee that you'll be able to climb the tower that day). Also, please remember that you need to deposit your bags, umbrella, backpacks, yes even the tiniest of purse needs to be deposited in the bag drop area along the north side of Piazza dei Miracoli. Don't worry, they will allow you to bring your camera.


bells inside the leaning tower of pisa

view from the top of the Tower of Pisa


Like I mentioned, the hubby (boyfriend then) was so itching to climb up the Tower of Pisa. It was in the Tower of Pisa that Galileo dropped two balls (of different masses) to demonstrate that their time of descent was independent of their mass (more here) and for a Physicist like him, climbing the steps, all 294 of those narrow steps, is like paying tribute to Galileo.



FLORENCE.

Home of Michael Angelo and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Well almost.

When we first entered the city the first thing that we saw was  a church called Basilica of Santa Croce. It was in the middle of what looks to me is a piazza (which looks empty that time). If you walk away from the Basilica you will find stores after stores selling leather goods (jackets, pants, gloves, etc). Welcome to Florence! The leather goods supplier!

If you walk further and proceed to the first street to your left (if your back is on the Basilica of Santa Croce) that will lead you to where the more exciting part is!


the intricate facade of piazza del duomo

Florence is like a huge outdoor museum. With huge sculptures all over the place. And their Piazza del Duomo? It's mammoth and you can't deny how intricate the details are both from the inside and out. It's just an amazing, amazing structure. Now, I'm into architecture, old and new so something like this gets me really, really excited, but I really believe that even if you're not into architecture you will still find Piazza Del Duomo very interesting. Here's more information about it.

gates of paradise

In front of the the Piazza del Duomo is the Baptistry and there you would see the famous door called "Gates of Paradise", which I believe is an appropriate name for an entrance to the Baptistry.

Overall, I really like the atmosphere in Florence. I'm not sure if this is just because it's December and it might have been their off peak season that's why the crowd is tame. Or because not a lot of tourists realize how great this place is and they didn't bother to visit. This would specially be a lot interesting to those who sculpts like my sister-in-law (hubby's sister) that we are really considering to come back here and take her with us.

If you're looking for a good walking tour for Florence try this.


note: all photos are from yours truly...please be respectful and do not use without permission..

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