3. Florence Italy

Florence is so far my favorite Italian city. Its known by Florentines and Italians alike as the jewel of Renaissance Italy. Florence is the capital of Tuscany and is home to several artists and intellectuals like Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and the Medici family. One of the reasons I think I liked Florence so much is due to the quintessential Italian vibe you get from the city. It feels less touristy, a little slower, and it really is very Italian. Leather is the good that Florence is known for, and there are markets all over the place selling every kind of leather good imaginable. Florence is also the birthplace for gelato and supposedly has the best gelato out of all of Italy. Needless to say we had a gelato frenzy and went wild. One nice part about Florence was the fact that it was sunny and warm compared to the cloudiness and dampness of Ireland. I even got a bit of a sunburn.

Our travels through Italy ended with another night spent in the airport, but this time it was in the Dublin airport where we had to wait until the next morning to catch our flight back to Cork. For anyone planning to spend the night in an airport in Europe I would highly recommend the Dublin Airport. They have a nice area with couches and comfy chairs next to a 24 hour McDonald's and Starbucks. I personally slept on the Starbucks couches in that they were by far the most comfortable.

Overall Italy is a beautiful country with a very unique and distinctive culture, and some of the best food. I have learned from my travels that Italy is a place where people are suppose to lap up the lifestyle, and idle over a coffee at a street side café, or linger over a long lunch in the warm Mediterranean sun. Italy is about relaxing, enjoying, and taking in its history and old world charm. Most importantly Italy is the birthplace for Gelato.

The Duomo is the most significant, recognizable, and iconic cathedral in Florence. We arrived from Rome at night and as we stumbled upon the Duomo on our way to the hostel there was a orchestral concert going on.

The front of the Duomo by day. We actually were able to go inside this cathedral because it was free. Most churches in Europe charge a couple Euro to go inside.

Michelangelo's David

Ryan, Matt, Victoria, Me, and Sheldon sitting on a ledge by the river

The Ponte Vecchio, a Florentine icon and home to Florentine goldsmiths where you can buy some very nice gold jewelery.

A view from the Ponte Vecchio of Florence and Tuscany.

We saw several people rowing in the water next to the Ponte Vecchio

Me in front of the Santa Maria Novella Church

Brittney and I are typically the tour guides for our trips throughout Europe. I have become a very good map reader while in Europe

Ryan and I in front of what was suppose to be the best discoteca in Florence, however since it was a Monday night it was really not that cool.

Me pushing over the leaning tower of Pisa. Since our Ryanair flight did not depart from Florence but rather Pisa we decided to make a pit stop to the tower on our way to the airport

Sheldon and I in front of the tower, which actually leans far to the right. More so than the picture shows.

The tower and the church. It was kind of funny since the church kind of appeared to be leaning as well.

A view of Pisa as we were walking to the airport and eating our last gelato