Today’s post will focus on our next stop on the 11-day tour: Pisa (leaning tower and Square of Miracles) and then Florence; the Birthplace of the Renaissance. Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region and home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its most iconic sights is the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell’Accademia displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture. The Uffizi Gallery exhibits Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation.”
Relocation
On travel days we would have a quick breakfast at 7:15 to 7:45 then meet in the lobby for bus departure at 8am. It was very handy to be able to place luggage outside the room at 6am for collection and loading onto the bus.
Our first stop was 334 km away and was about 4 hours riding in the bus. Due to bus driver’s break contracts, we must stop every 2 hours for coffee break. No complaints here. That was very comfortable to get off the bus, stretch legs, use the bathroom, grab an espresso or cappuccino then back to bus.
On the bus 
Vineyards as seen from bus 
The blueish trees are olive trees
By the way, in Italy, all restrooms are identified by signs saying Toilets. If you ask for where is restroom they may be puzzled. Also, most all the toilets have no seats, except for the hotel. Just the porcelain bowl. Easier for us guys. Things are a little more rustic in Italy. Of course, their culture goes back a thousand years.
Pisa
After the 4+ hour trip, we had time for lunch before our guided tour from a local expert. We donned our communication devices and walked around the leaning tower, the Cathedral and the Baptistry.
Our guide was very entertaining and explained the history well. One interesting note was that in Italy, people identify with their region, not being Italians. People from Pisa are called Pisanis, people from Florence are Florentines, etc. And they are very strongly aligned to their region.
They also may speak a slightly difference language and not just a different dialect. This comes from before Italy was a unified country, each region was a sovereign and had restrictions (walls) about travel between then. Somewhat isolated. Unified in 1848.
After arriving we see this market street – shops and restaurants 
Here we are! 
Yes, it leans at about 4 degrees. They load the base with lead on the “high” side 
Pat trying to push it back up
The photos below are mostly from the Cathedral of Pisa. Photos include the crypt of St. Rainerius with a glass window. The round building directly below is the Baptistry. A large ornate building that was built to baptize people once per year on a special day.
Look at the carvings/sculptures 
This bloke looks okay for a few hundred years old 
Our tour guide, Roberto, claims that these two from our party were long lost brothers for some reason.
Tuscan Farm
The tour company set up a nice wine tasting and dinner with opportunity to buy some products after lunch.
Half of our group waiting for the first course 
The other half at 2nd table
Florence
We stayed at another very nice hotel, the Croce Di Malta. Built in 1925. Dinner on our own the first night, a quick sleep and back up for a walking tour in the rain.
The rooms were fine, nothing too fancy 
But had a great view
After the first portion of the tour we decided to walk on our own and got caught in a severe thunderstorm with heavy rains and hail as well. We got absolutely soaked. And it was cool, maybe 52 degrees. The worst part was the continued tour was another 4 hours in wet shoes. The raincoat and hood do quite well, but when you walk through 4 inches of water, the feet get wet. Another night to dry out shoes.
The Ponte Vecchio Bridge – very famous loaded with goldsmith shops. Called the Old Bridge and built in 1345 as the first bridge over the Arno River
Then it was to the Galleria dell’Accedemia with the statue of David by Michelangelo himself. It seems that Michelangelo would rather craft statues than paintings. Then we were off to the Uffizi Gallery. The crowds were mind boggling. Shoulder to shoulder and barely able to get close to the art work.
Statue of David. 
Another famous work: The Duke and Duchess of Urbino Federico da Mont 
Florence at night along river 
Lorna and Mike celebrating their 50th from last year 
Randy and Pat happy that it is not raining 
Back to the hotel to shower and change for a special dinner that night at a picturesque Tuscan villa complete with wine and local entertainment. Interesting fact that famous writer Machiavelli, who wrote the Prince in 1532, lived here when he wrote the book and hid out in the tunnels under this villa.
The villa served us some blue Champaign – not sure why the color 
A tour through the ancient crypts now holding wine barrels 
Old escape tunnels take us to the dining room 
The pork roast. It seems that pork is very popular in Italy. 
Some great old Italian music with dinner 
Then it became a trio
Wrap Up
Next up is a travel day to Assisi and then to Rome. It was a great couple of days only dampened by the heavy rain and huge crowds everywhere we turned. Folks are making up for the 2-3 years of travel restrictions. Thanks for following along and God Bless.
Thanks for sharing. Brings back memories from our trip to Italy in 2010.