Heyaa dearies 🙂 I am so sorry I have not been posting for a while or doing my usual blog rolling and spreading some blog-love everywhere. I miss visiting the lovely blogs I follow and the thrill of finding new ones. 😥 Slowly but surely, I will be making a visit to all of the awesome blogs I follow and see what you all have been upto! Gosh I missed everyone so much 😦
And I am SO SO overwhelmed by the sincerity and kindness of my dearest friends here who are concerned for me and wishing me and remembering me in their posts. I am so lucky and thankful to be part of a community which never ceases to amaze me ❤
Nowadays it’s a mad rush at the house, packing and planning and running for last minute shopping! I am not even getting enough time to dream about NYC 😛 I hope the dust settles soon and I can share the ideas building in my head with all of you and also get on with the rest of the travel tales 🙂 For now, let’s get on with this one 😉 So ready for the rendezvous in Florence and Pisa? 😀
Return time and again and still you would not be able to drink in everything Florence has to offer. This cradle of renaissance has more artistic treasures per square meter than any other city you can think of! Where else can you stroll the same streets walked by Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo while relishing one of the world’s best gelato? 😎
Our first destination in Florence was indeed the Piazza Duomo, which is filled with some of Europe’s finest building ensembles – the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Campanile, and the Baptistery with their dazzling walls of intricate inlaid colored marble sure enamored us. It dominates the city’s skyline and still defines the scale by overshadowing the other buildings in the square.
The cathedral is Italy’s third-largest church, but rather than the size what draws it to you is the sheer magic of artistry. It is said that the alternating colors of the inlaid marble were chosen to exemplify the two basic principles of Florentine art: “rectitude and beauty.” True to its words, the splendor exuded by this architectural marvel is really one of a kind. ❤
If you thought this was heights of magnificence wait until you see this dome! The immensity of this dome designed by Brunelleschi will surely take your breath away. So will the stairs leading up to it I heard and we did not venture to climb the 500 or so stairs. The views are deemed spectacular covering the entire city and beyond to the Tuscan hills. Anyone up for this?
We then proceeded to see another famous landmark Piazza della Signoria. If Piazza Duomo was more about religion, the Signoria Square is the symbol of civic life in the city. Over the principal side of the piazza rises the massive Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s town hall (still the seat of the local government, it is a working building housing many offices that Florentines use on a daily basis, as well as the mayor’s office). The square is a reminder of great triumphs and is replete with some awe-inspiring sculptures, each of them with a story to marvel about.
Just outside the Palazzo Vecchio you can see a copy of Michelangelo’s David kept to represent the perfect symbol of republican virtues, of courage and strength in the service of the State. The original was moved to the Accademia gallery due to the damages caused. The statue of Marzocco, the heraldic lion of Florence holding the city’s coat of arms, the one of Perseus With The Head of Medusa by Cellini and the Fountain of the Neptune were a few others which are quite renowned. I was always besotted by Greek mythology and my visit to Italy was such a great opportunity to learn more about it and see and experience everything for real. ❤
Our time in Florence came quickly to an end before we could even anticipate it. But we were too excited to dwell on it since our next spot was the Leaning Tower of Pisaaa! Yeaay. I had seen countless pics of people “propping up” the tower with their hand or even finger 😀 And I was excited, I was about to as well. Thankfully it did not need any photoshopping or professional photography and as usual my hubs to the rescue 😉 One of the tourists was kind enough to take a fun photo of both of us as well 😀
The Leaning Campanile, along with its massive Cathedral, Baptistry and Camposanto Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery) in the immaculate and gorgeous setting of green lawns is collectively known as Piazza dei Miracoli or the Field of Miracles. Did you know that at about 183 feet tall, the tower leans around FOUR degrees, which means that at the top, it is actually displaced around 13 feet from its bottom. 😮 Yikes! But fear not, since its architecturally still sound enough for you to huff and puff your way through the 300 steps to the top. 😀
I guess I would regale you with my Rome and Vatican City stories in another post. Oh yes, Rome is there as well! How can a trip to Italy be complete without a visit to the powerhouse of world history, with an exhilarating city scape replete with renowned monuments, the Eternal City Rome? We will be starting from the world’s smallest country Vatican City which by the way has the world’s second-largest church, so see you in St.Peters Square next 🙂 Or should we take a detour to the Big Apple ? 😉 Let’s see, shall we 😀
What an awesome post Minaxi. As usual you’ve managed to capture all the beauty, magic and fun of these two incredible Italian cities. Gorgeous photos. xo 🙂
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Thank you so much Miriam ❤ 🙂 And the credit goes to hubs for the photos part 😀
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Gorgeous 😀
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Monicaaa 🙂 Thank you dear ❤
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You’re very welcome ❤
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LOVE your post! That brings back so many memories from my trip last year! We visited almost the same places! So cool!
Your pictures are beautiful and I really love your way of writing!
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Aww, thanks a lot dear. A wonderful compliment from one of my favorite blogs 🙂 And am so happy you like my way of writing. I am always wondering if I am doing justice to the beauty of places or am I being over the top 😐 Glad you like them the way it is 🙂
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Aww now that just brought a wide, wide grin to my face:-)
Yes, I like it the way it is. You don´t need to change. Embrace your writing!
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Omg Minaxi!!!!! You cannot imagine how your post made me feel…. NOSTALGIC…. I miss beautiful Italy and especially Firenze ❤❤❤ Your pics are awesome and you make a really good looking couple with your boyfriend 😉
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Haha. Thank you Maja 😀 😉 We seldom have pics of us together in all these wonderful places. It is mostly selfies since we are on our own 😛 But, sometimes the other kind tourists offer to take our photos and bless them for that! 😀
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Hehehe yup i can imagine…. God bless the kind tourists 😉
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Wonderful! I’ve visited Rome but not these other cities, lovely tour and you guys look fabulous!
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Thank you so much Dr Meg 🙂 I would be heading over to your blog soon to get some dose of the smokies 😉
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Haha! Enjoy!
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Great photos as always 🙂
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Jacqueline!! 🙂 Thank you so much for still remembering me 😀
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i love florence! too bad you didnt get to spend more time there watching the sunset from the top of the duomo is one of my favorite memories there! great shot of the leaning tower, those “propping up” shots are harder to capture than i thought!
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Oh wow. Did you ? But then for a fitness persona like you, I suppose the climbing was a cinch 😀 Awesome Rachael 🙂 And thank you for the great feedback 🙂
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Oh man it was killer my legs were screaming but totally worth it!
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Heehee. We debated on it 😛 But in the end decided against it Good for you, you could enjoy the view 🙂
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Fabulous pictures, looks gorgeous – and a really good angle for the tower shots! I nearly booked Pisa for our upcoming trip but settled on Madeira. There must be something in the air though – my post tomorrow is very Italian!!
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Ooh, is it 🙂 Wow. Any travel tales are so welcome 🙂 I guess being in Europe you can take things slowly 🙂 Lucky 😀 And thank you for the compliments. I would pass it on to Vishnu 🙂
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What wonderful photos! Sure looks like you had an amazing trip! ❤
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Yes, Italy lived up to all the hype 🙂 Thank you so much Quirkie 😀 Or maybe I could call you Lisa ? 😉
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Haha! Well, I definitely do have a functioning brain…but Lisa is a tad bit more of a brainiac. 😛
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Heehehe 😀
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I loved this! I’ve visited Florence so many times, but you gave me a totally fresh and informative take on it. Thank you! Your writing is always enjoyable and I’m looking forward to your NYC stories. And good luck preparing for your trip! So exciting 🙂
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Thank you sooo much for the kind words dear. I mean it. I am still figuring out my ways to convey the beauty of a place I visited and it makes me so happy to know that you enjoyed it 😊 And thanks for the wishes too. I cannot wait to write about it! But first , let me reach there 😛 We have still a couple of days to go 🙂
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Bon voyage and be well 🙂 🙂
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Such and energetic and happy post, once again 🙂 Thanks for cheering me up with this! I LOVE Italy!
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Oooh. This made my day. YOU complimenting me on a travel post. Wooohooo! So glad to know that this cheered you up 😊 ❤️
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Oh what fun that was traveling with you!! What beautiful pictures, all those statues along the Cathedral and what a beautiful piece of architecture! The Palazzo Vecchio and all its statues and the Leaning Tower, what fun pics of you and hubby holding up the tower! You write with such life and vibrancy I love reading your posts! Ok well look forward to finding out what are next trip is…I’m all packed and ready!! xo 🙂
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Thank you for such a sweet comment Deb😊 whenever I see your comment I know I have something to smile about ❤️ you are such a darling 💖
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Aw look whose talking!!! 😉
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*our (UGH) 😉
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Sorry I’ve been out of touch; I am back in action again (I bet you know how that is). Stay tuned for more regular postings! I’d love it if you could tell me what you’d like to see more of: travel, bucket list, pilot-wife-life, lifestyle, yoga, or turquoise inspiration (or all of the above, lol)!
Jessica, Turquoise Compass
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Hey Jessica 🙂 Nice to see you back in action 😉 Travel tales is always a must-read for me 🙂 So given an option I would choose that. Though all of the above also works well;) Cheers ❤
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Thank you! It’s nice to be back! I’ve missed the blogging community!
Jessica
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Hi Minaxi! This post brings up so many memories, we use to live couple of streets down from the Duomo in Firenze and just the other day were looking at old pictures from there – and our little Annie was just a puppy then, hopping around the gobble stone streets. Great post and so many nice pictures, thank you! Have a great weekend!
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Oh myyy! A few block from Duomo :O Woaah. That sounds amazing. Thank you for visiting and for the nice words Karoliina 🙂 You too have a wonderful weekend ❤
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Hi Minaxi, You are invited to my monthly blog party which just started right now. The link is Summery blog party live link. It’s through the weekend. Do step in and let’s get this party started and mix with others. Regards, Jacqueline
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Heyaa Jacqueline 🙂 Thank you so much for the invitation ❤ Have a couple of things to run around for but I will surely to hop by. ❤ Love, Minaxi 🙂
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Impressive photographs… Italy is so beautiful… I hope you had ana amazing trip… best wishes and happy week. Aquileana 🙂
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I had actually been to your blog in the morning and I was lost in the sea of knowledge you have there 😮 I will make a detailed visit soon. And such a powerhouse of Greek literature complimenting me on the photos. Wow. My day is made 😀 Thank you so much. And wishing you a blissful and blessed week ahead too 🙂
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Dope captions for the pictures! Haha, i liked the trick you used for the last one, turned out to be precise and so real! 😀 – Cezane
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Thank you so much 🙂 You mean the Leaning tower one ? Thanks to the kind tourist who took one like that 😀
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Wonderful pictures!
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Thank you so much Lynz 🙂
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You are so cute and beautiful dear xx your pictures are fun and different!
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Heehee. Such a wonderful compliment early in the day 🙂 Thanks a bunch Lynn ❤ So glad that you popped over for a visit 🙂
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most welcome! x
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Ahh! So excited to read about Rome! If I had to pick just ONE favorite place in all of Italy, it would have to be Bella Roma! I just loved it there. Florence and Pisa were a lot of fun as well! Glad you guys enjoyed it! Florence had our favorite restaurant – ZaZa’s… SO GOOD!
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Ooh is it ? Sad we missed it Yes, I must say Rome is spectacular but then there are so many places like the Amalfi, Capri etc. which I have not been to but seen pics and look SO amazing! Italy is indeed a treasure house of the most exotic places.
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Hi,
I know Tony, Jacqueline, and Aquileana.
I also like games. I met you at Jacqueline’s party. Maybe you can check out my blog if you need a blogging tip or two. That’s what I write about. Like Jacqueline, I have blog parties regularly.
Janice
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I teach about the Leaning Tower of Pisa and I’ve been there.
Janice
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That is so great! Teach about one of the wonders of the world! I am so sorry I was late in responding to your comments. Been doing some traveling 🙂
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Hello Janice 🙂 Such a pleasure to meet you. I would be dropping by your side soon 🙂 Blog parties are so much fun. I would love to read all the wonderful tips you have to share! Thank you for visiting 🙂 Have a blessed week. 🙂
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I will look forward to your visit
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Hi, Fab blog! I have just set up mine, but still in the very early stages – a few months old. Just making efforts to link in with fellow bloggers to improve our followers and get the word out there for us both. I would appreciate you having a peek at my blog, as I have published several posts. Feel free to like, comment, follow or just take a peek. Thank you 🙂
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Hiyaaa 🙂 Thank you for the wonderful words on my blog 🙂 I would surely head to yours 🙂 Have a great day and all the best on your blogging ventures ❤
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IT was my pleasure. All the best to you also 🙂 🙂
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Oh my goodness, sweetie, I have never been a travel bug, yet you make me wish I could touch the stones of the buildings you visit, you make it sound so lovely!
*hugs*
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That’s it! My day is totally MADE! To inspire someone to travel, what more could a travel junkie ask for..I am so so glad I could. And thanks a ton for the dreamy words Nessie ❤ I cannot tell you how much it brightened my day 🙂 *hugs* ❤
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I am so glad sweetie! That makes ME happy! So we’re even! lol 😀 *hugs* ❤
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Once again, you bring back memories when my family and I visited Italy, including Florence, Rome, Venice, a small town in the Tuscany area. The Vatican City was great. So much to see! It’s always funny to see people trying to straighten out the Leaning Tower!
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heehee. I know right. Its a cliche pose but still that doesn prevent you from doing it 😛 I am so glad that my posts evoke memories of others travelogues 🙂 It is such a great feeling to reminisce about the wonderful journeys we have been on ❤
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It sounds like a lot of fun. There can’t be so very many places in the world that have a city hall that’s been in continuous use since medieval times. Good work keeping the Leaning Tower from toppling over, by the way. I hope you passed that important task on to someone else before you left. 🙂
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What a fun and insightful comment! I will be dropping by your page soon ❤ Thanks a lot for the lovely words. And yes I did pass it on 😉 It was a tough time choosing the person though 😉 😀
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I’m glad you found someone suitable! Please feel free to drop by my blog anytime. You’ll always be most welcome. 🙂
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Thank you so much for the warm welcome 🙂 ❤
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I love revisiting some of these places through your artistic and gorgeous eyes Minaxi. This post brought back lots of beautiful memories. It looks like you two had such a wonderful time.
I enjoyed every picture and your words thoroughly.
Please have a beautiful week ahead!
Dajena ❤
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Thank you so much Dajena 🙂 Italy had so much of beauty , we did not have to sweat it out to take the best pics 🙂 I am so happy this lead to a beautiful trip down your memory lane as well ❤
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Are you serious? You’re in Italy? Have I been under a rock? Gorgeous photos!! By the way, my favorite post so far was when you two went to the Harley Davidson place! Now this one is like a tie! 💜💞🌸
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Hahaha! Under a rock? Lol 😀 That teared me up! And I am still grinning 😀 I am not in Italy now. I am in…NYC!!!! 😀 ❤ We had the chance to explore a few countries in Europe a while ago and I am just sharing my escapades of that 🙂 You liked the HarleyDavidson post ? 🙂 Thank you so much ❤ That was my second post when I was still a baby at blogging! hehe 🙂 Not that I have grown up now!
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Wow!! World traveler!!!!
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You are so kind with your words ❤ Thank you so much dear 🙂 *hugs*
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I hope it’s going well for you there.
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Yes dear. By Gods grace things are good so far 😊
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Yay!
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Freakin’ awesome! Maybe I should the islands for one trip and head back to Europe at least once more…😉
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Oh you should!! I am already dreaming about a second visit to Europe! Sighh..Such a dreamy place with countless destinations to fulfil all the whims and fancies of every kind of travel junkie..
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I go to the UK every so often due to family but the last time I did Italy, Germany, Switzerland, etc was a long long time ago. One day!
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Thank you so much for sharing this! You have allowed the joy of going back in time to the only place I ever felt alive! I don’t know if you made it to Piazza Santa Croce or not but I lived right around the corner from there from 1980 to 1983. From 18-20 years of age. I miss it every day. I am so happy you loved it.
Hugs,
Leah
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Oh wow how wonderful. Lived in Italy ❤ I am so glad I could evoke some nostalgia. I loved every minute in Italy. And ever since my visit, I so badly wish atleast I was in Europe so that we could enjoy all this gorgeousness at our own pace 🙂 Thanks a lot Leah for the compliment. I am sorry for the late reply 😦
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