Florence part I - Duomo di Firenze

Next on the itinerary was Florence. We just happened to be staying an apartment that was overlooking the central Piazza del Duomo, which is home to the famous church, tower and baptistry. This was a great base to explore some great buildings, galleries and gelateria. Some of the highlights were the original statue of David and the Uffizi Gallery (where photography was not allowed).

4. Duomo di Firenze
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fg.co%2Fmaps%2F38qxn&hl=en&sll=43.772845,11.256732&sspn=0.001917,0.005284&vpsrc=0&t=m&z=18

 The main dome of the church. Designed by Brunelleschi and finished in 14630

 The front facade with our accommodation in the left background. (The facade is a 19th century neo-gothic addition)

 View from our apartment

 (Very) early morning shot of the dome from our accommodation

 View from the top of the dome looking at Piazza della Signora, the Palazzo Vecchio (building with tower) and the Uffizi (U-shaped building behind and to the right of the Palazzo Vecchio)

Badia Fiorentina (tower on right) and Casa di Dante (Dante's reputed birthplace on the left)

 Mum and Dad up top

 Yours truly in front of Giotto's Tower

 Giotto's tower by night (designed by Giotto in 1334, completed in 1359)

Fresco on the inside of the dome

Baptistry in the late evening

 East door of the Baptistry "Gates of Paradise"

Inside the Baptistry 13th Century mosaics depicting the Last Judgement

Lucca, Pisa, Viareggio

From our base in Caprignana we explored the surrounding attractions. In particular the central city of Lucca (birthplace of Puccini) and the iconic Pisa (THAT tower). We also spent a day at Viareggio which is on the Mediterranean sea and is a huge resort town and a centre for luxury yacht building.

3. Lucca, Pisa, Viareggio

San Michele in Foro (11th - 14th century Romanesque facade)

Narrow streets in Lucca

One of many towers in Lucca - this one we got to climb

 ...and the view from the top

One section of Lucca was built over an old Roman amphitheatre, hence the curved street and oval shaped Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

 

Duomo di San Martino (another Pisan style Romanesque cathedral from the 11th Century)

 Duomo di San Martino

Baptistry, Duomo and leaning tower at Pisa

Yes, it leans

 Obligatory tourist photo #1:...but I can hold it up with just one finger!

 

The beach at Viareggio, looking north towards the Carrara mountains

Sailing in the Mediterranean

Attack of sea urchins!!!

Art Nouveau architecture - the formerly grand "Gran Caffe Margherita

 

...and we're back.

Following another interlude that involved a long drive via the Grand Canyon, Arches and Zion National Parks (pictures to come) and a flying visit to New York (still got it), we are back to the Europe Trip.

Part two is the area we stayed in in northern Tuscany. We were based in a little town called Caprignana which is nestled in the San Romano in Garfagnana region, north of Lucca.

From our base in the beautiful villa we explored surrounding towns and took excursions further afield to Lucca, Pisa and Viareggio.


2. Caprignana and surrounds
See http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=caprignana,+italy&hl=en&ll=44.190101,10.323184&spn=0.002019,0.005284&sll=33.804167,-118.158056&sspn=0.299545,0.676346&vpsrc=6&hnear=Caprignana,+San+Romano+in+Garfagnana+Lucca,+Tuscany,+Italy&t=h&z=18

Morning view out of my window of the fort at Verrucole

I Cingali - Our Villa

Looking down to the next town - Orzaglia

 

  A street in Orzaglia

View back to Caprignana from near Orzaglia

  

Old Caprignana was destroyed by an earthquake in the 1920s

Mountains surrounding our valley - much of which were in the Apennines National Park

A spot in the Serchio river the kids took a swim at a nearby town called Camporgiano

Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is the main town in the region

 

Approaching the hill top fort at Verrucole

Another town in the region called Barga with a medieval walled city

 The Duomo di Barga

View overlooking Barga from in front of the church

The last morning in the region put on a decent sunrise