Sun June 6th: The ultimate sunday drive

Today was interesting. If anything, it taught me to believe in the power of a memory without the visual reminder of a photograph. We have had quite an experiance with these stupid power converters. Weve only been here 3 days and have gone through 2. Because we couldnt charge our cameras last night, we prayed they would make it through the day..not so. But...its okay. I know the images of today will always be burned in my mind and the beautiful day it was will always make me yearn for another sunday like today.



Our train left at 9 this morning from Venice to Florence. We knew it would only take us about 25 min by boat to get to the station, but we left at 7 just in case. And I am SO glad we did! We made it to the train station just fine but we found out it wasnt the station that our tickets were issued for. So we paid a euro each to hop on another train to take us to the correct station. We made it with about 45 min to spare. Im so glad we were cautious and allowed the extra time this morning. The morning mist over Venice was breathtaking! The sun had just risen and cast a gloriuous glow over the water. We're leaving Venice with the best memories and a hope that we'll be back to this beautiful city. We are excited about Florence and our new adventures there.





We sat next to a fun couple from Australia on the train. We talked and laughed the whole time. It seems like the people we run into and meet here in europe are so well traveled. We loved hearing their stories about all the places in the world they have been. And John, the husband was from Ireland, so his accent confused me a little, he had fun with that one. We made it to florence in about and hour and a half.



We were told that the Avis car rental agency was within walking distance, but no one seemed to understand me asking for directions and we had no clue where to go so we grabbed a taxi. I have never had so much fun in my life!! His name was Lorenzio. He has a dream of moving to San Francisco and opening a Vespa shop. We noticed on our receipt that the Car place closed at 100. It was 1245! We told him we had 10 min to get there. He go us there in 9! His driving was like nothing I had ever experianced. I will never again be afraid of Buddys driving :) Im not exaggerating when I say, there were NO rules. He was passing on the shoulder, honking and stopping within a foot of pedestrians, who acted like this was normal, which it probley is. He ran red lights, sped down narrow streets. It was insane...and SO awesome. I think Buddy was silently peeing his pants given the fact that he is the one that has to drive for the next 2 days. And if this cab drive was any indication, we were in for a major adventure! Needless to say, we upgraded our insurance plan for the rental. Lorenzio got us there just in time, helped us with the bags, he was awesome. He drove up the sidewalk right to the front door in that little black bmw. I loved that experiance.

We got our car, a little grey Fiat that is SO spunky and fast, and not automatic. The woman gave us a map with directions to our hotel and we were off. Poor Buddy, I can only imagine his nerves, but I am SO proud of him!! We drove RIGHT TO OUR HOTEL! We didnt get lost or turned around one time. Can I brag how awesome we are! And believe me, it wasnt an easy hotel to find. Im just so impressed that we didnt even get turnred around. It was such a cool feeling. We joked that we could totally do amazing race together!!






Our hotel was on the other side of the Arno (the water) and right next to the famous Boboli Gardens. I dont think I was expecting my jaw to drop arriving at our hotel, but it did, in a major way.

Its a gorgeous 19th century Villa off the street on a little hill. The garden terrace overlooking the front. Inside, we were greeted by name and treated as though were were lifelong friends! Its furnised with nostalgic antique furniture, silk wallpaper and exquisite glass chandeliers! I am in love already. We checked into our room that is decorated with orange and white linens. A parque wood floor and our own french doors to a private terrace. The bathroom is marble and huge! I instantly felt "at home"

driving up...




our first view





the room!

The foyer


no surprise it won this award!


Our breakfast every morning. It was so fantastic!


Florence is a completley different feel than Venice. First of all, we arent used to seeing cars, and the traffic is crazy here. Its also much louder due to that fact, but Florence is charming and beautiful and unique in its own right. The Arno runs through the city and each side is connected by bridges that are decorated with statues at the entry. The ever famous Ponte Vecchio being the one that stands out the most. There is a fun market under the bridge at the end that sells leather, clothes, jewels, anything really. And a tip, if you go around closing time, you can get some great deals!





After checking in, we decided to drive to Pisa and Lucca for the day. We had our trusty map, the keys, a full tank of gas and each other. We got a little turned around trying to find the FI-PI-LI (the freeway) that took us there. There are roundabouts everywhere with signs absolutly crammed with directions. Its hard to find our way when we are going through the roundabout so quick. Sometimes we had to go around 2 or 3 times. I dont think Ive ever laughed so hard in my life when we did that! To be an observer and watch us must have been hillarious. Once we got on the FI-PI-LI, the signage made it SO easy to get there. Driving through tuscany on that road was beautiful! Rolling hills and villas and farms. I was limited to taking photos out of the car window, but sometimes I would just put the camera down and try to soak it all in. In a few days, we'll drive to Rome and Im sure we'll see more.



Once in Pisa, we didnt know where or how to find the leaning tower. In my mind, I thought it would just be easy to spot in a small city. Pisa isnt huge, but its not small either. Its so pretty with fountains and an old city wall that still surrounds some of it. The weather today makes it even more wonderful. Its probley 80 with huge white puffy clouds and the brightest of blue skys! We drove down a rode and I took a photo of a domed building I told Buddy "Look, Im taking pictures of something I have no idea what it is" We drove a little further and asked a man in the car next to us where the leaning tower was he said "follow me" So, we did, he led us right back to the spot where I took a photo!



I was expecting to see the leaning tower off the road, but you cant, its inside a stone wall and next to it, a baptistry, which is the building a took a photo of. We parked and walked through a crowed alley way full of merchants selling everything and anything. Trinkets, purses, sweaters, shoes, jewelry. We got to the entrance of the wall, turned the corner and there it was! I was so excited, I really could not beleive I was staring, in person at the leaning tower of Pisa. Its smaller than I imagined it would be. I also thought, for some reason it would be in the middle of a field, all by its lonesome. But there are the same touristy shops surrounding it and the baptistry of course. It gleams white and I am amazed by the seemingly small cords that are holding it up. Its remarkable to see. The way it leans so far, you would think there is no way it could be standing on its own. The architecture is beautiful and intricate. Im again surprised and amazed by the talent of the architects back in those days. Here is where my lesson of memories starts. I reached for my camera, turned it on and it was dead. Dead dead dead. Luckily, we still had our little point and shoot, so it was fine..for the time being. We walked around the tower, sat down on the steps for a while. It was neat to be there. I had to pinch myself sometimes.






You can kind of see the black cable on this backside of the tower that is holding it in place.






After gazing at the tower for a while and enjoying our time there, we decided to drive north to Lucca. When leaving, we spotted a Mcdonalds outside of the tower wall. As awefull as it sounds to eat at Mcdonalds in Italy, I was so happy about the possibilty of a cold drink. Up until now, I havnt been a fan of the food. I know, its sad to admit. But I KNEW I could get a DC in Mcdonalds and was praying they had ice. Not only did they have ice, but I got a full cup of it! It was heavenly I tell you!!! I savored that DC until the last drop. Ice, who knew it would bring me such happiness? And Buddy will tell you that a big mac in Italy tastes that same as a big mac in Utah. Quailty control at its finest I suppose.




After our little respite of Mcdonalds, we hopped in the car to explore Lucca. I had a boss once who visited Lucca and then moved there. She used to show us all of her photos and I would dream of visiting one day, and here we are! Buddy is an italian driving superstar!! He totally rocked that little Fiat and fit in as if he were italian himself. Its so fun to not have to follow road rules, yet there seems to be unspoken rules to the road. Everyone is in agreement about not following posted speed limits or road lines for that matter, if there are ever any lines for that matter.



The streets are so narrow! Its hard to tell exaclty in this photo, but in some spots you almost had to be in the bushes to let a bus pass




Lucca is completly surrounded by an old city wall. It was a fortress and is said by many as one of the most beautiful towns in tuscany. Its massive city wall is lined with trees and a walking path. Our plan was to rent bikes and bike around the city wall. We got to the bike rental shop right when it was closing, so we walked the wall and then into town. The little point and shoot died after being in the town for 15 min. RATS! So I dont have many photos to show from here on out. There are beautiful flowers and gardens at every turn. The city wall is so thick, we are amazed at the amount of time it must have taken to build it. It is lined with tall trees on each side and just a gorgeous walk. Its the perfect sunday stroll.

the width of the walkway is the thickness of the wall, its amazing!








It took us about an hour to get back to our hotel. I was wondering if we would be able to find our way back to it, but we did, only getting turned around a few times. Things have started looking familiar, so its a little easier to see where we should be going. On the way home we saw a shell gas station and a blockbuster video. Isnt that fuuny, we are 9000 miles from home and yet see something within 2 miles from us at home. We went to bed hungry tonight. Its sunday and not many places are open. Although we are hungry, we are full from our glorious day. It was a beautiful, relaxing sunday filled with the warmest memories. We are for sure going to sleep great tonight in our gem of a room!