Oh Firenze, how I miss you!
Out of all the cities we visited in Italy, Florence was definitely my favorite. Great food, beautiful sites, breathtaking art, and wonderful people… we experienced it all. We left Rome late in the evening and boarded the super-duper express train to Florence. Seriously, I didn’t think a train could move that fast! Our stay at the UNA Hotel Vittoria was a little off the beaten path, but it was love at first sight when we checked into our room. I sprung for the executive suite, and it did not disappoint. In addition to the VIP treatment we received at check-in, the room was decked out with a luxuriously deep soaking tub and spacey fiber-optics that surrounded the sleeping area and made you feel like you were inside of a spaceship.
As nice as our temporary digs were, we spent the majority of our time checking out all of the sites, tastes and sounds that the city had to offer. I’d been warned about Stendahl Syndrome while reading Inferno last year, but nothing could have prepared me for everything Florence had to offer. And did I mention we also stumbled across the Ferragamo Museum while we were there? Talk about shoe heaven! Anyway, less talk, more pictures.
Enjoy!
Behold, Pitti Palace!
{JC Penney Hat, H&M Dress, Zara Scarf (which doubled as a blanket on the plain ride!), Forever 21 Socks, J. Crew Boots}
As I stated in my previous post, packing for this trip was all about easy, comfortable pieces that travel well.
We climbed over 460 steps to the top of the Duomo to be greeted by this stunning view. It was seriously like looking down from heaven.
MORE PICS FROM THE REST OF OUR JOURNEY AFTER THE JUMP!
View from inside the Duomo.
Wrap dresses are one of my favorite things to wear on vacation because they take up almost no space in my luggage and can be dressed up or down for a variety of looks.
View from Ponte Vecchio.
The preferred mode of transportation it seems.
Told ya’ it looked like a spaceship!
{Uniqlo Dress, Sperry Belt, J. Crew Boots}
Another one of my packing “secrets”: Stick to a specific color palette. For this trip, I wore mostly neutrals punctuated by various shades of blue.
Inside Santa Croce.
Even the graffiti artists were amazingly talented!
I love the photo from the Duomo! Stunning! What camera did you use?
Thanks. I used a Sony a58 with a 50mm/f1.8 lens.
The view from Ponte Vecchio is breath taking. Like a piece of art work, but a million times better.
Every time I go to Italy I make my way straight toward a restaurant, haha. I still haven’t gotten to Florence, but I am hoping to get back to Europe within the next year.
You took such beautiful photos! You have me wanting to go back right now!
But back to work I go….
Oh my, I’ve got travel envy! That is amazing, the views and inside the Duomo, so beautiful. I have to go, thanks for sharing
Gorgeous photos! A fun vacation indeed!