Kristy! I am still here reading. I got really far behind but I have spent the last week or so committing to getting caught up (I am actually a few updates behind still but at least I am on the same day as you so I figured that was close enough to comment.).
Since I have done such a mass reading I am not going to make any specific comments (because I have too many) but just wanted to say that this trip seems so amazing! The history and beauty behind all these buildings is breathtaking.
I really think I have to look into doing a
ABD trip sometime. Do you have another one planned or a timeframe for one?
No worries, I have been falling behind on DIS time lately, so I know how that goes. I'm glad you had a chance to catch up a little!
It was really fantastic to spend a week immersed in such rich history, everywhere we turned. I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to experience this trip with such great people!
We are definitely not done with ABD, but we don't have anything specific planned at this time. It will probably be at least a year or so before we go on another one. I am really excited about the addition of Spain, as that's somewhere I'd love to go, but I'm also very interested in the adventures to Greece, Scotland, and London/Paris.
There are so many fake Davids in Florence, it's kind of amusing to me
The inside of the Palazzo Vecchio looks so cool!! And those ceilings are amazing.
Climbing is tough but it's worth it for those amazing views of the city!
I loved Orsanmichele! If I recall correctly, it was once a grain market
Yeah, when I was there in March, we weren't allowed to take photos of it. I was amazing at how big the statue was!
I'm DYING at that picture of you with the sign
I really wish I could have gone to the Duomo for mass. We went to Santa Maria Novella which was great but the Duomo is just perfection to me. Also so many things got lost in translation
at one point my friend thought it was the Our Father, so she grabbed my hand, but after about a minute we realized it was the Nicene Creed
crazy Americans.
That meal looks absolutely amazing!! I would have loved that pasta tasting, and the steak looks unreal.
There really were fake Davids EVERYWHERE! It's definitely their claim to fame, I guess.
The Palazzo Vecchio was really fun to tour. It's hard to imagine that kind of opulence being an everyday kind of thing. So many tough climbs in just a few days was rough, but absolutely worth it once we got to the top.
I think one of the guides told us they are allowing photos now because they don't know how much longer it will be around, which makes me incredibly sad to think about. But the stress is getting to the marble, and it is oxidizing.
I would have loved going to Mass anywhere, but it was really amazing to be able to go in the cathedral. I would have liked a traditional Mass in Italian to experience that, but it was nice in English too.
Ooh, that meal. My mouth still waters when I think about it.
I'm enjoying reading your report. Wonderful photos of Florence - one of my favorite cities. Looking forward to seeing your pictures of Venice!
Florence is such a beautiful city! We really loved being on a special ABD trip that allowed us to spend more than just a day there.
Cute picture!
Beautiful pictures of David. I don't know how you managed to pick your favs if you had that many to choose from! I would probably post them all.
I really didn't know Michelangelo had unfinished works. It totally makes sense, just never thought about it.
I had to chuckle at the iPad lady being totally oblivious to mass getting ready to start. Imagine the sudden realization that mass is what church is for.
Your dinner really does look amazing.
And yay for a
Disney Store visit!
Thanks!
I loved that the guides pulled pretty much everyone aside at some point for those silly photos, and I really appreciated that Marco took me for that one! One of the funniest!
It was hard to pick, but we managed.
It's so photogenic!
She was explaining to us on some of them that they are unfinished because once he started and made a mistake, that's it. Or, whoever commissioned it decided they wanted him to start something else instead.
I couldn't believe she was totally not paying attention like that, with all of the people crowded into the seats for mass. I'm sure she was embarrassed once she realized!!
I'm glad to hear it lived up to expectations.
but your meal looks great, and that is so cool to be able to look back on it as possibly the best meal ever! 
I don't doubt that at all! I'm sure Dustin was very happy when I said I'd rather go to the Uffizi than to the jewelry shop!
