Italy, Firenze (Florence)

The drive from Switzerland through the Alps to Italy was so beautiful. Unique, quaint little towns nestled all along the hillsides of the magnificent Alps. It rained off and on most of the day with good downpour the last hour of the trip.

On the Italian side of the Alps, we drove through a town in which all of the rooftops were made of large "slate" tiles (pics below).

Castles, Castles, and more Castles.....

All the way from Switzerland we saw castle after castle after castle. They are so beautiful. They have the feel of majestic ancient monuments all along the country side. Many are hundreds of years old. The closest structures we can come up with in comparison in America (as far as age) is the communities built by the Pueblo Indians. Some of the pueblos in NM, AZ, CO, and UT were built as early as 750 AD and some of those same communities continue today. Toas Pueblo in NM was built between 1050 and 1450 AD and is still occupied. Most of the colonial mansions and communities were constructed beginning 1600s.

A castle on the mountainside in the Alps.

Tunnels....

What do you do when you can't get over the Alps? Just go through them. Because it was raining, we did not try to drive over the Alps, we drove through them. Tunnel after tunnel after tunnel and more tunnels. "Ain't no mountain high enough" in this area.

Firenze, Italia (Florence, Italy)

Fascinating! Florence has been considered politically, economically, and culturally as one of the most important cities in Europe and the world for around 250 years - from the 1300s to the 1500s. It was home to the Medici family, considered by some to be possibly the most important family in the history of the world. Italy has one of the greatest art collections in the world, including the orginal statue of David (which almost brought us to tears with it's beauty and grandeur when we visited it), works by Michelangelo, and more.

The first gallery we visited was the Galleria del Accademia where David is stored. 

 A picture can't do justice to just how magnificent this statue is in person. He is holding his sling in both hands and around his back. You just feel his pride after slaying the giant.

We also visited the Uffizi Museum. This palace was begun in 1560 as the offices for the Florentine magistrates. It now houses one of the greatest art collections in the world including works by Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Architecture in Florence
The Duomo (The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore) Cathedral Church of Florence, 1296, the outside is completely faced with white, pink, and green marble.

The golden doors of the Baptistry.

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The beauty of the city certainly designates Florence a city of romance...

We took these pics as we were walking along the Arno river. 

First one direction during the day, then back that night. 

This is the remains of the gates to the City, there are several location where they have been perserved.  At one tine the City of Florence was surrounded completely by walls. These are the largest doors we've ever seen.

Only to be compared to some of the cutest, smallest cars.

Housing on a typical street downtown.

Who needs a laundromat?

Notice the barking dog on the fourth floor of this building. The neighbors must love him.

Ceilings:

Amazing detail is painted on the ceilings of many buildings and churches. These paintings on the walls and ceilings are called Frescos. Many were at one time painted over and have now been meticulously restored. 

Golden flowers protrude from this ceiling.

375,000 people in Florence, 1.5 million metro area

And then there's the statues.  Italy does not even come close to England for love of statues on every corner, but they do have their share of good ones.

Now our favorite part of Italy, the food and wine: 

Let's start with the Gelato. Yes, that is ice cream piled high and it's on every corner. The Florentine cook Bernardo Buontalenti is said to have invented modern ice creams in 1565.

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(We only had a big one the first day, now we just share a very small one, but we don't let a day go by without it.)

On to the salami, prosciutto, cheese, marinated mushrooms and artichokes, sundried tomatos, homemade tomato soup(!), not to mention the pasta (you never had spaghetti like this). Cute little Trattorias (restaurants) everywhere.

We had dinner here. Those are hams/prosciutto hanging from the ceiling.

The homemade tomato soup is amazing. Spaghetti and pizza does not taste anything like anything we've ever tasted in the states. Above is soup and a typical antipasti platter (appetizer) of meats, crostini, sundried tomatoes, artichoke heart, marinated mushrooms. The wine was great too.

Next, Montepulciano, Italia
We'll it's been a great learning experience in Florence. We've visited some of the most amazing churches, museums, and art galleries in the world. We've tasted food we'd previouly only heard about (it's all true). Today we drive to the little walled-in town of Montepulciano.