Still owe this blog with abundance of traveling pics and stories behind. I ought to record those since my memories will be obliterated sooner or later!

Took a train from Venice to Florence in 4 hours journey. Local wisdom called Florence as ‘Firenze’ (no wonder we have difficulties in buying the train ticket via automatic ticketing machine). Bad thing is, I cannot really enjoy the trip and appreciate my every step here, because I have to carry my 10-kg luggage T_T. Spent only one day in both places, I marathoned from Florence to Pisa, then went to Rome at night T_T.

Florence (Firenze)

Florence is my favorite city in Italy –I can say. If you happen to watch Full Metal Alchemist at the beginning of the episodes, then Florence resembles that so much! Florence is a monument to the renaissance, the artistic and cultural reawakening of the 15^th century. The buildings of Brunelleschi and the paintings and sculptures of artists such as Botticelli and Michelangelo turned the city into one of the world’s greatest artistic capitals.

Santa Maria del Fiore, Michaela-Apratz-Siang Leng

Santa Maria del Fiore

Set in the heart of Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore –the Duomo, or cathedral of Florence-, dominates the city with its enormous dome.

Santa Croce

Siang Leng and Apratz, and here comes Greg XD

Yeok Tho-Michaela-Apratz nearby the gate of Santa Croce

The gothic church Santa Croce contains the tombs and monuments of many famous Florentines, among them are Galileo, Michelangelo and Machiavelli.

Statue of Dante Aligheri in front of Santa Croce

Do you know Dante Aligheri? I somehow familiar with his name (I thought he was a famous yet evil alchemist, as referenced in ‘Full Metal Alchemist’*grin*). Dante Aligheri is actually a famous poet and writer, his notable work is ‘The Divine Comedy’.

I have problem with my camera in Florence, so I couldn’t take many pictures*sigh*.

Across the Fiume Arno

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio is the oldest surviving bridge in the city. This bridge is at its most attractive when viewed at sunset (it was also the only one to escape destruction during World War II). By the way, Fiume Arno means River Arno.

A cozy caffee \^o^/

Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio is remarkable of its external medieval appearance, and its imposing bell tower dominates the square. This "Old Palace" still fulfills its original role as Florence's town hall.

Pisa

Pisa is only 1 hour from Florence. We only managed to see the Leaning Tower, Pisa’s Duomo and the Baptistry. Everything was concentrated in one area.

The green field in front of the Baptistry

The Leaning Tower Pisa

Pisa's Duomo

Threesome; Baptistry-Pisa's Duomo-the Leaning Tower

Next update : Rome and Vatican City (whaa I still have to write about Milan, Berlin and Amsterdam T_T).

Yeok Tho-Apratz-Siang Leng-Michelia-Greg-Bell