Around Europe in 20 Days [Part 4 - Italy]

24th - 25th September 2008

Pisa

This is the first city of Italy that my tour stopby. Pisa is a city in Tuscany, central of Italy. Pisa is famous for the Leaning Tower which was one of the "Seven Wonders of the World". The city is known worldwide for its famous bell tower.

View of the Piazza dei Miracoli

While the Leaning Tower is the most famous image of the city, it is one of many works of art and architecture in the city's Piazza del Duomo, which is also known as Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles). The Piazza del Duomo also houses the Duomo (the Cathedral), the Baptistry and the Camposanto Monumentale (the monumental cemetery).

Florence

Florence is known as the “cradle of Renaissance” for its monuments, churches and buildings. Florence get its name from flourishing or flower, as it being known as city of flowers. We start our day with walking tour with the local guide, which means our Miss Sarah will have her off day on that day. We start our tour with Santa Croce. Basilica of Santa Croce or known as Basilica of the Holy Cross is the burial place of great Italian artist, Michelangelo.

Basilica of Santa Croce

Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo Catheral

Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest and famous art museums in the world. Here, you can see Michelangelo sculpture outside the museum.

The narrow courtyard between the Uffizi's two wings creates the effect of a short, idealized street

Michelangelo

Leornado Da Vinci

Ponte Vecchio Bridge, one unique bridge

Touch this wild board, and you will return to Florence again

Pigeons are looking at us

Paint on the street

Florence is famous for its shopping especially leather. So if you walk around, you will find lots of leather products such as bag, belt, jackets and shoes as they are selling at a lower prices in Florence than in other Italian cities. However, most of it was fake and it looks alike our own Malaysia's Petaling Street. Although it is fake, the products that they sold was not really cheap. Almost cost RM400 for a small LV bag. Better go buy at Petaling Street.