May 21, 2015: Venice/Pisa/Florence

Today's wake up time was brutal.  The call came at 5:45 am with bags out at 6:15.  They had to leave well before us to get on the luggage barge and be back on the bus by the time we got there.

I'm glad we do our showers in the morning as I was too groggy to do that and have the suitcase out on time.  We haven't had in-room coffee since Rome and are getting worn out.

We figured out what we needed for the day, dressed and set our bags out on time.  Virtually everyone was in the breakfast room right at 6:45 am.  This morning they had waffles in addition to the pancakes and other menu items.

I had scrambled eggs and made a ham and cheese sandwich with the wonderful Italian roll.  Of course there was a chocolate croissant washed down with 3 cups of coffee. Those three cups of coffee probably equal one of my usual morning mugs.

The water taxis were about 10 minutes late to the hotel but we quickly arrived back at the parking area and rejoined Gaetano and our bus.  We settled in for the long ride to Pisa.

Agip gas station

We stopped halfway and had a 30 minute break.  Brad pointed out the name of the service station (which is changing). The perception to english speakers isn't great plus why would they have a fire-breathing animal logo.  Gasoline is flammable!

I bought a cappuccino with chocolate from a wonderful vending machine for 90 cents.  Steve bought a chocolate bar with hazelnuts.

 

The stores were a great place to shop for snacks and souvenirs and get a look at products we don't see at service stations in North America.

Vending machine for Women's underwear

 Of course some products you just wonder why.

The next stop was the bus parking area for Pisa.  We transferred to a tram like vehicle where we were driven to the drop off point for the field of miracles.  Brad then walked us to the field of miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli) which is the walled in area containing the Pisa cathedral, the Pisa baptistry, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Monumental cemetery.
 

Along the way he gave us background and shared options for restrooms and lunch.  It was very touristy along this route with lots of souvenir stands and things like this.

We were given an hour and 45 minutes to do our sightseeing, have lunch and use the restrooms.  We took our pictures with the tower and then walked out of the walled compound to find a lunch spot.
 I would have liked to go up to the top of the tower but Brad indicates it takes about an hour.

Pisa Baptistry

Pisa Cathedral with Tower in Background

Leaning Tower of Pisa

We took some fun photos although not as creative as we saw others making.

Steve wanted Burger King from the moment Brad pointed it out (fast food withdrawal?) so that's where we went.  I had the chicken sandwich combo and he had a whopper combo.  The receipt has the bathroom code at the bottom and each of the three stalls had a keypad.

 I must say it was the best fast food I've ever had!  Steve went back to the counter to get me a pack of ketchup and it was 10 cents.  So, that seems to be the least expensive wy to have access to a toilet in Pisa.

Steve had a vanilla gelato cone for 50 cents and I walked down to another gelato stand and have duo gusti for $2.50 euros.  My flavors today were tiramisu and good old pistachio.

Everyone was back at the meeting place a few minutes ahead of schedule and we actually left the Pisa area early.  I bought a souvenir umbrella for 4 euros with scenes from Italy in each panel as we were walking to our bus in the parking area.

Tuscan scenery

We were at the Florence permit office in about an hour or so where we had another restroom break.  We then drove into Florence where traffic was horrible due to the rain off and on all day.  We were about 30 minutes late for our appointed time where the Florence guide was waiting.  Fortunately, we didn't have to wait too long to get into the Accademia Gallery.

Note: Our schedule had us going to the Academy on Friday but group tours were sold out for the morning that day so we had to squeeze it in on Thursday p.m.

Florence museum tickets.  Very plain!

 It is hard to believe most of the works of art in this gallery are considered inferior to those at the Uffizi or other museums.

The Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna

Back of The Rape of the Sabine Women

Steve listening intently to our Florence guide

Assumption of the Virgin by Pietro Vannucci detto Pietro Perugino

Deposition from the Cross byFilippino Lippi; Pietro Vannucci detto il Perugino

There wasn't enough time to see it all, but we had plenty of time to view the Michelangelo's four unfinished pieces known as the prisoners as they seem imprisoned in the marble.
 

Prisoner, the Bearded Slave

Prisoner, Atlas

Prisoner, Awakening Slave

I did not get a picture of the fourth piece, known as Young Slave.  As you proceed down the hall to the David, your eyes are continuously drawn to him.  

 The statue is so impressive and I was surprised how emotional I felt viewing it.  You can not appreciate it fully from pictures.  In person, you see the details of the marble and the miracle he crafted it from one piece of marble with no models at such a young age in just 18 months.

 Sadly we didn't have enough time to explore other pieces of work though I got a couple more pictures as we exited.

Crucifixion and Saints byPacino di Buonaguida (14th century)

Tree of Life by Pacino di Buonaguida

From there we had a little walking tour.  First up was the Florence Duomo.  It is enormous and just about impossible with my cameras to get in one picture.

 There's so much going on in the facade, it's overwhelming.
 

Gates of Paradise

This picture was as close as I could get to the Gates of Paradise at the Florence Bapistry.  There were tour groups parked in front.

Triumphal Arch in Piazza Della Republicca

Piazza della Signoria has a lot going on.It's ringed with restaurants, shops and of course beautiful art!

Perseus with the Head of Medusa, by Cellini (1554)

Hercules and Cacus by Baccio Bandinelli

Fountain of Neptune by Bartolomeo Ammannati

Judith and Holofernes by Donatello

On the way to our wine tasting we passed a building that once was the home of Michelangelo.

The wine tasting was at Cucina Torcicoda and I think the entire group was ready to sit down.

 

We tasted several wines and learned the 5 s's:

• see (look for clarity)
• swirl (look at legs)
• smell
• sip
• savor

We also had plates with salami, cheese, olive and breads along with differnet olive oils and balsamics to enjoy with the wines.

It was a lovely experience.  We walked to the bus in another 1/2 mile or so where it was parked by the River Arno.

 Gaetano had picked up cards with our Hotel Londra room number for each of us.  We once again were 101.  When we take another tour, I will put Steve's info in first so things will be under his last name. 

When we got to the hotel we picked up old-fashioned keys at the front desk.  The room was comfortable but needed brighter lighting and more outlets.

It was the only hotel where we didn't have a separate bidet.  The toilet was a dual-function one.

We had an hour before it was time for dinner in the hotel.  Our tablemates tonight were Regie and Dave, Jana and Jean, Brenda and Marilyn. We had the best service on the trip, but I must admit the worst food of all the included dinners.

 Dinner was rolls (with butter), pasta (best part of the meal), veal (dry), spinach, roasted potatoes.  Dessert was panna cotta again but they did serve American coffee with it.

 

We weren't up much after that.  It had been a very long day.

STEPS: 12, 185

Miles: 5