Florence
Sunshine, Marble and Galileo pretty much sums up Florence for me. It's an interesting walk from this hotel to town; first passing by a pretty (read horrendously) ugly utilitarian train station, down some old stone paved streets that are probably hundreds of years old before it opens up onto Piazza del Duamo. Then there rising up before you is the ornate and visually overwhelming Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore with its impressive marble facade.
As awesome as it was, I found the Basillica of Santa Croce just as cool given it is the final resting place of some pretty important people like Michelangelo, Machiaveli and of course Galileo. Sitting on the steps overlooking Piazza di Santa Croce knowing I was probably 30-40 meters away from Galileo's earthy remains was a pretty crazy feeling.
A trip up to San Gimignano gave me lots of great photo ops although trying to get clear shots without tourists in the viewfinder was a little difficult. Got a few there I was happy with, again focusing on the detail and definition of the old walls and buildings.
Pisa and the Cinque Terre next, let the good weather continue!
Florence & San Gimignano: Textures
