Marinna Ventures to Italia: December 2011

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Scuola del Cuoio

One of the travelers books that I read suggested that if I didn't want to go in the church where Galileo and Michaelangelo are buried, I should walk around back and check out the leather school! I'm so glad that I took the time to go check it out.

This post is more just about pictures than the writing part! One thing I learned about myself in Firenze is that no matter where I am in the world I can always find a leather shop to sooth my home-sickness. Fresh leather smells amazing! They were all over the place in Firenze!!

Enjoy these pictures!

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Walking into the school!

The hydrangeas were beautiful!

View from the stairs behind the school!

Some of the leather work done at the school!

Some of the older tools!

In Italian!

Behind the school!

Hilton Havoc

Monday June 27

My morning was pretty good. Just like the past few mornings. I got up, ate some breakfast at the hotel and headed to the Duomo. It didn't open until 10:00 so I decided to do some wandering. I went down to the San Lorenzo market. It's such a cool place! There were so many great things that I wanted to buy! But my suitcase wouldn't hold it all! After lots of contemplating I found myself buying yet another pashmina. Before I knew it, I was headed back to the Duomo.

The line was wrapped all the way down the side of the church. People were all excited to get into the church! Finally, when it opened the line did move fairly quick. As gorgeous as the outside of the church is, it was somewhat anti-climatic when I got inside. It is very simple and plain, compared to what the outside looks like. Everything inside of it though was SO big and magnificent! I felt very small standing inside of the church! Learning to take in these churches was a challenge, but by this time in my trip I was basically a pro and knowing what I wanted to get inside of it!

After I snapped a few pictures I walked down into the crypt bookstore to see Brunichelli's tomb. I'm glad I didn't pay the money to do a tour of the crypts. It was just too cold and dark in there! But being able to get a sneak peak was great though!

Soon it was time for me to head back to the hotel to get checked out! They were so helpful with the checkout and calling a cab for me! The taxi arrived and I was off to the Hilton to get settled in! The poor cab driver didn't speak any English, and this is where I wish that I knew more Italian to converse with the local people!

The taxi ride was much better than the hour long walk it would have taken me to get to the hotel. It took about 15 minutes! I got all checked in to my room before I met up with Alli and her mom! When I got to the room it was two beds that were put together, instead of just one! I knew it would be an interesting couple of days staying there!

After I freshened up, I relaxed then took the shuttle back into town for my cooking class! That will be in the next post!! I headed in to see Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella! They were so beautiful! It was yet another adventure of sneaking pictures!!

Love the Duomo!

More of the Duomo!

Some of the detail at the Duomo!

The front doors of the Duomo!

Inside the Duomo..It was huge!!

Artwork on the walls of the Duomo!

The stained glass was gorgeous!

Floor detail!

The art continued to amaze me!

Do you feel short now?

The view of Firenze from my hotel room at the Hilton!

Another view out the window!

Santa Maria Novella!

Side of Santa Maria Novella

Front of Santa Maria

Walking into the church!

Some of the artwork!

These stairs were a unique aspect of the church!

More stained glass inside of the Santa Maria Novella!

A wall with amazing artwork!

Leaving the church!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Uffizi Tour and a Great Sunday

Sunday morning I was up early, ate some breakfast and headed down to the Uffizi Gallery. It is one of the largest collections of paintings in the world. It was great because I booked an appointment for the museum, which is definitely the way to go. That way you don't have to wait in line.

Once our group was all collected we entered the museum. The next hour and a half was filled with amazing facts from our tour guide Anna. She was an elegant lady who was full of knowledge. She highlighted the main paintings in the museum and then she let us go free to look around and go back to see the rest of the museum.

It was very overwhelming! There were so many paintings and if you weren't familiar with them, then they were all just gorgeous to look at. I wish that I would have known more about some of the artists or even some of the paintings themselves. It's amazing to see how they have lasted the test of time.

After I toured the museum, I grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to the hotel for a nap. It was a much needed nap! Then I went out and went did some shopping. I had a blast getting to know Florence as a city. It was so much fun just to walk around in.

On my adventure walking around, I came across the Spiriti church. Mass was going on so I went in to join. Hearing mass in Italian was beautiful. That language continues to amaze me! While I was out on my walk I found a quaint little restaurant that I knew was my spot for dinner. It was right on the river, and just what I was looking for. The gentleman that owned the restaurant was so friendly. The ravioli was delicious as well! I was starving, and that was just what I needed.

I needed to get a suitcase for some of my shopping, so I went on a spree looking for it! I found one and headed back to the hotel to get packed up. Tomorrow I would be meeting up with Alli and her mom for more adventures. I can't believe my time in Italy was dwindling down so fast. It seemed as though we just got here and now it's almost over already!