Vernazza
We spent the morning in Vernazza before heading out the winding road to civilization. There is a small bakery just downstairs from our room that is run by twin brothers who are a hoot. We had coffee and pastries before hitting the road.
Pisa
We entered into the Tuscany Region thru Pisa, and it was easy to find...just follow the tourist buses! The tower is actually smaller than I pictured it.
We braved the hike up the spiral staircase to the top. Because it's tilted, you feel kind of funny and very off-balanced as you hike to the top. In the general vicinity of the tower is a huge number of vendors trying to sell any number of things: sunglasses, Tower of Pisa replicas, etc. They seem to all be immigrants from Africa or Asia.Leaning Tower of Pisa/La Torre di Pisa
The most off-balanced climb in the world...
Florence/Firenze
DO NOT TRY TO DRIVE IN THIS CITY! You'll drive yourself crazy! We literally had to park 1-1/2 miles away from our hotel and hike in because of all the traffic/road restrictions. What a nightmare!
Florence Cathedral/Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore
The 4 chambers (Baptistry, Cathedral, Dome & Tower) form Florence's heart...
- Palazzo VecchioLots of interesting sculptures around the building.
- Ponte Vecchio
Al really liked this bridge with buildings on it and I just didn't get it. The buildings look in need of repair. I think the whole thing needs a big overhaul but Al said I was "ignorant about architecture" and we kind of left it at that.
Clarification on the quote...I was explaining to Locke the significance of this bridge, in that it was the first bridge in the world to be built with shops on it during the Renaissance, and that it withstood the WWII damage. Plus, it was simply gorgeous during sunset. I guess Locke just doesn't get architecture like I do... :(Leaning Tower of Pisa/La Torre of Pisa – 304 steps
Bruneschelli's Dome on the Florence Cathedral – 471 steps
-- Locke & Al
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