Firenze

The first stop on our week long trip was to Florence, Italy. Being in Rome for about a month now, it was definately amazing to see another side of Italian architecture and culture. Such a beautiful city, wedged between the river and mountains, Florence is definately worth going back to visit. The San Lorenzo Market was located right outside our hotel (how convenient, right?) loaded with 5 dollar scarves and authentic italian leather purses (Florence is known for their leather), we simply couldnt resist the temptation. Our professors took us all over Florence to view and sketch the noteable buildings designed by men such as Michelangelo and Brunelleschi. Florentine architecture is much different than the typical Classical Roman architecture, moving into a more harmonious and proportional style. We climbed to the top of the Duomo (being slightly afraid of heights made it all the more interesting), but being a perfectly sunny, clear day, the view was completely breathtaking as you can see all of Florence and miles beyond to the mountains.

Here's some of the places we got to visit:

• Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo by Brunelleschi)
• Baptistry ("Gates of Paradise" by Ghiberti)
• Biblioteca Medecia-Laurenziana (Michelangelo's stairway and design for the library)
• Piazza della Signoria (with Palazzo Vecchio)
• Santa Maria Novella (by Alberty)
• The Uffizi Gallery
• Basilica di San Lorenzo (by Brunelleschi) and the Sacristia Nuovo (by Michelangelo)
• Galleria dell'Accademia (with Michelangelo's Statue of David)
• Spedale degli Innocenti (The Foundling's Hospital by Brunelleschi)
• Ponte Vecchio Bridge (so beautiful!)