{"id":7885,"date":"2017-09-09T21:20:44","date_gmt":"2017-09-09T21:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wilbil.com\/?page_id=7885"},"modified":"2019-01-02T22:46:39","modified_gmt":"2019-01-02T22:46:39","slug":"florence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wilbil.com\/italy\/florence\/","title":{"rendered":"Firenze"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t<\/span>Tuscany<\/span>\n<\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

celebrating the art of living well<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”28px”][vc_column_text]The morning felt a bit like the movie \u201cGroundhog Day\u201d with Bill Murray. It had been 10 straight days of sight seeing with 5 to 6 hours of sleep a night. Which I do not recommend. However, there was such beautiful scenery and experiences, it made it all worth it. We packed up and headed out of Venice by way of the water taxi. I have fine memories of Richard singing \u201cCiao Venezia, Ciao Venezia, ciao, ciao, ciao\u2026\u201d on the way out of this classic city.<\/p>\n

When we arrived in Florence, we went on a Renaissance walk with our local guide, learning how Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance. We went past the palace of the Medici, which looked more like a fortress. Overshadowing the heart of Florence is the Duomo, the cathedral of Florence. We went past the Duomo and saw the bronze baptistery doors. Having studied these in Art History, I know these are copies of the original.[\/vc_column_text]\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”8894″ img_size=”full” alignment=”right”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1518369531152{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]We made our way to the Accademia to see Michelangelo\u2019s David. With our group entry time, we cut straight through the crowds, through the metal detectors and into the museum. Stephanie gave a talk about the statue, and how they built this place just for this magnificent work of art.<\/p>\n

Later that evening, we enjoyed a Tuscan feast with the group. We enjoyed the wine of the region, Chianti. It started with gnocchi with a cheesy spinach and penne, and then Tagliata with cheese and arugula, and potatoes. We had some pick-me-up cake after supper, Tiramisu, and limencello. Yes, you eat well on this trip.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”8895″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_width=”grid” back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Duomo Museum<\/h2>\n

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This was our first time to truly sleep in. I made it until 7 am and Dad thought it was time to get up. Sigh, okay dad. I wanted dad to have some down time today from all the running around, so I asked what we should do with our free morning. Dad said we should go to see the Duomo museum. So off we went.<\/p>\n

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The treasure of the Duomo museum is the original \u201cGates or Paradise\u201d by Lorenzo Ghiberti. These bronze panels were part of the gates of the Baptistery of San Giovanni. They depict 10 scenes from the old testament. These are the earliest works of Renaissance relief sculpture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tThree sets of baptistery doors\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″]
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\n\t\t\t\tThe gates of Paradise, Lorenzo Ghiberti, 1425\u201352\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″]
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\n\t\t\t\tThe Deposition, Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1547\u201355\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″]
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\n\t\t\t\tModel of the Dome of the Florence Cathedral (Duomo) by Filippo Brunelleschi\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column]
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The Baptistrey & champanile<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”14px”][vc_column_text]\"\"After the museum, we checked out St. Giovanni (St. John) Baptistery, likely due to being a Dan Brown fan. The Baptistery is in the shape of an octagon and the ceiling is a golden mosaic.<\/p>\n

I wanted to climb the bell tower next to the Duomo. My Dad was not hot on the idea. Dad hung out in the baptistery for a bit while I went up the champanile. I could not believe how small the staircase was to get up the tower. It was a tight squeeze for two people across. There were four levels where you could get out and take in the view. It was well worth the effort as it was a beautiful day.[\/vc_column_text]\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_width=”grid” back_to_top_skin=”default” css=”.vc_custom_1518369035722{padding-top: 60px !important;padding-bottom: 60px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/3″]

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\n\t\t\t\tCeiling of St. John\u2019s\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″]
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Uffizi Gallery tour<\/h2>\n

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I met dad and hour later, and we went for pizza. The pizza in Venice was better than the place we picked. However, the strawberry dessert was pretty amazing. We hit the San Lorenzo market to pickup souvenirs, but quickly it was time for the Uffizi tour. We met the group and walked to the museum. We saw the speakers square (the Loggia). We met our local guide, Cindy, in the museum. We saw lots of Renaissance master works, including the magnificent Botticellis. What a treat to see many of the works I studied at Millikin University in my Art History class. The museum was warm and the tour seemed to go on and on.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tPerseus with the Head of Medusa\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tOne of the many statues in the Loggia dei Lanzi outside of the Uffizi Gallery.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1518379073387{padding-right: 100px !important;}”]

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\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThe Birth of Venus\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n<\/h5>\n
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\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThe Allegory of Spring\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n<\/h5>\n
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\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMadonna with Child and two Angels\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n<\/h5>\n
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\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tDoni Tondo (Holy Family)\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n<\/h5>\n
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\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tMadonna of the Goldfinch\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n<\/h5>\n
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\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tGaddi Torso & Hellenistic statues\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n<\/h5>\n
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\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tAnnunciation\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n<\/h5>\n
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\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\tThe Baptism of Christ & Adoration of the Magi\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/span>\n<\/h5>\n
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\n\t\t[vc_single_image image=”8918″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”]\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_width=”grid” back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column][vc_column_text]I was so happy to see those beautiful pieces of art in person. I wanted to see so many more things in Florence. Walking the Ponte Vecchio, the Pitti Palace, the Plaza de Michelangelo, or Boboli Gardens. I was reminded that this trip is \u201ca taste of Europe.\u201d So we went shopping as time was running out. We found a chocolate Gelateria and had some fine gelato. Bought some chocolate, scarves, leather gloves, charms and went in search of a Christmas shop. No luck there. We found an Irish pub and thought it was time for a pint. That first Guinness was a treat.\u00a0We went back to the hotel for the evening, but I was itching to wander and check out the night life. And so I did.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_width=”grid” back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column width=”1\/4″]
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\n\t\t\t\tStreet artist\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tHe has a special permit to make these drawings. According to law, they have to be washed away every evening.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″]

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\n\t\t\t\tIl Porcellino (piglet) by Pietro Tacca\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tVisitors rub his snout to ensure a return trip to Florence.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″]

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\n\t\t\t\tPiazza di Santa Maria Novella\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\tOne of the few times I didn't have my SLR with me. The blue hour was stunning in Tuscany.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column]\t

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Our adventures in Italy continue where all roads meet in:<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRome<\/span>\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row back_to_top_skin=”default”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”8894″ img_size=”full” alignment=”right”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″ css=”.vc_custom_1518369531152{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text]We made our way to the Accademia to see Michelangelo\u2019s David. With our group entry time, we cut straight through the crowds, through the metal detectors and into the museum. Stephanie…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":7881,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7885","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilbil.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilbil.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilbil.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilbil.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilbil.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7885"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/wilbil.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7885\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9965,"href":"https:\/\/wilbil.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7885\/revisions\/9965"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wilbil.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wilbil.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}