I know it's tough to explain what makes a good city, but I think Florence is the best European city we've been. It has history, culture, lovely people, beautiful landscapes, and romantic restaurants. I'm in love with Florence, and what better way to spend our anniversary but in this lovely city. The picture above is taken from the terrace on our hotel. 
One night we went to the II Latini restaurant which has great house wine, communal eating, and prosciutto hanging from the rafters. We meet a very nice British couple there and ended up staying until closing!
The next morning we got up before 7 and headed to the sights. This is the Duomo in Florence, it is a HUGE Catholic church with tons of history.
We walked up 500 steps to reach the top of the tower to reveal the most amazing view.
However, the climb up and climb down were very interesting and scary to say the least.
View from the top!
This is the Palazzo Vechio, a large structure that is still used for town hall. It was built between 1299 and 1302.
This is the famous Uffizi museum which houses the Birth of Venus painting by Botticelli. Uffizi means office because it once was the offices for the ruling Medici family.
We are standing in front of the Ponte Vecchio, a bridge that houses jewelry shops. The bridge was built in 1354 and was changed in the 16th century to add a corridor along the top of the shops that starts at the royal Palace and ends at the Uffizi. The Medici ruler did not want to walk to his office through the streets, so he had a corridor built from his Palace to his office. Also, the Nazis did not blow up the bridge because they thought it was too beautiful to destroy.
The next morning we got up before 7 and headed to the sights. This is the Duomo in Florence, it is a HUGE Catholic church with tons of history.
We walked up 500 steps to reach the top of the tower to reveal the most amazing view.
However, the climb up and climb down were very interesting and scary to say the least. 
View from the top!
This is the Palazzo Vechio, a large structure that is still used for town hall. It was built between 1299 and 1302. 
This is the famous Uffizi museum which houses the Birth of Venus painting by Botticelli. Uffizi means office because it once was the offices for the ruling Medici family. 
We are standing in front of the Ponte Vecchio, a bridge that houses jewelry shops. The bridge was built in 1354 and was changed in the 16th century to add a corridor along the top of the shops that starts at the royal Palace and ends at the Uffizi. The Medici ruler did not want to walk to his office through the streets, so he had a corridor built from his Palace to his office. Also, the Nazis did not blow up the bridge because they thought it was too beautiful to destroy. 
Walk way to the bridge.
After you walk over the bridge, you end up at the Pitti Palace, a mansion that served as Florences' royal home from 1560 to th 1860's. 
The Palace has amazing gardens in the back with a huge Grotto.
After you walk through the gates of the Palace, you end up in this huge open space. The fountains above lead to the beautiful Boboli gardens. I wonder if Boboli pizza was named after these gardens...??
Our last night in Florence we went to Piazalle Michelangelo, a huge garden overlooking the entire city, to watch the sunset.
Later, we ate at Acqua al Due, a beloved restaurant with WONDERFUL Tuscan cuisine. 
Of course it wouldn't be a trip to Florence without seeing Michelangelo's masterpiece, David. Michelangelo built David at the age of 26 between the years 1501 and 1504. 
We took a day trip to Pisa, so be sure to check the next post for those pictures. If you would like to see more of Florence, please click the link below. http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=76661218036248267/l=412116615/g=7389791/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
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