Part of ISA Rome’s program includes excursions, the first of which was to Florence and the Tuscan countryside. Florence and Tuscany were beautiful! The weather….was not. It rained. A lot. However, the trip was still extremely enjoyable.
Our first day in Florence (Friday) meant a tour of the city and of the Uffizi gallery. The Duomo was a short walk from our hotel and was beautiful. A huge church built with 3 different color marbles: red, green, and white. During our second day in Florence, we climbed the Duomo after a morning spent in Florence’s famous leather markets. Right after climbing the Duomo we decided to climb the bell tower. I do not recommend this. Each building is around 450 steps, with the Duomo being slightly taller than the Tower. Perhaps it was because we did it second, but the Bell Tower felt much more difficult, and the view was nearly similar, but not quite as good as that from the Duomo.
I’m not sure if any of you reading are familiar with Assassin’s Creed 2 (if anyone is actually reading these at all), but wandering around the old city of Florence felt eerily familiar because of that game. Especially when we stopped at the Ponte Vecchio, which translates to the old bridge.
Near the Ponte Vecchio lies the Uffizi gallery. While I’m not much of one for art, the gallery was quite impressive. Perhaps one of the most famous works in it was The Birth of Venus by Botticelli. But my own preference in art lies in statues over paintings, and Florence is home to what may be the most famous statue of all: Michaelangelo’s David. Pictures do not do this statue justice; in person, it seems as though it could come to life any moment, and the facial sculpt alone is jaw-dropping.
On Sunday we headed into the Tuscan countryside. We went to Castello Verrazzano where we had a tour of their winery and what may be perhaps the best meal I’ve ever had. The primi piatti (first course) consisted of pasta, but the secondo piatti (second course) was a selection of various cuts of meats, two different kinds of cheeses, and the most delicious and expensive balsamic vinegar I have ever had. Paired with the meal were different kinds of very nice wine, which confirmed a few things: 1. I’m still not fond of wine and 2. Good wine is wasted on me because I cannot taste the difference, but I sure do know how to look like I can! I sent half a dozen bottles home for my parents who can and do appreciate good wine, and I still dream of that delicious meal.
I know I only mentioned them in passing, but a bit of advice: if you go to Florence, check out the leather markets. You can get some really good deals on some good-quality leather!
Ciao for now!