life must go on: Venice + Florence + Tuscany region + Pisa (+Paris) trip

I know it's so long overdue but I have been busy, sorry.

Right let's get down to business.

My dear friend came all the way from Aus hoping to meet me while he tour UK and Europe but due to some unseen circumstances, I blew the chance to meet him again hence he asked me to go to Germany with him which I turned down. I have no idea what went through my mind at the time. Maybe due to the ongoing projects or the limited days that I can practice at suttie centre before I leave Aberdeen.

Anyway, it gave me the idea of going to Europe and have my first experience of traveling hence I went to Italy's two top 5 most romantic cities- Venice and Florence and Pisa and Tuscany region.

Of the 2 romantic cities, I love Venice better because at Venice you walk everywhere and I LOVE walking. The scenery is so beautiful and the people are so nice too. Even though I don't know any Italian language, I did survive well because they can speak English even though not fluently.

Visited the museums, talked to the locals, watched a play and opera too. Walked around without consulting the map because no matter where you walk, you can see signs pointing to Ponte di Rialto or San Marco. I actually followed some signs made from paint spray/ graffiti because I can't find any signs. It was so exciting!!

I really fell in love with Venice. The day I need to leave Venice for Florence, I really felt so sad.

Venice also gave me a special memory where I was actually asked to have a drink by a local. For someone who doesn't go clubbing or out drinking, having being asked out is really flattering. He was very very persistent and when I said I have enough of wine for the day, he went on and asked to have coffee instead and even asked if I wanted a massage LOL. I rejected politely but he keep persisting and asked for number and hotel etc..wow....

I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Outside of my hotel

Venice map and the hotel key

Venice traditional food- cuttlefish spaghetti

What is Venice without the masks?

What is Venice without the gondola?

Vivaldi concert

Santa do it differently at Venice lol

San Marco

The water taxi that took us to the 3 islands- Murano, Burano and Torcello

Glass blowing Murano in action

Murano glass made ballerinas =)

Palazzo Ducale/ Doge's

Palace Scala dei giganti at the Doge's Palace main stairway for grand entrance to the palazzo greeted by colossal statues of Mars and Neptune

The ceiling of the palace

The La Traviota opera that I watched which is a private event where the opera singers sing in front of you and we need to change rooms at each scene. Free champagne too!

San Marco view from Museo Correr

Venezia, the play that was educational, hilarious and interesting =)

The coffee that I will never forget =P

Rialto Bridge

Train to Florence

Florence is a busy town. I didn't like it at first because it was so busy, congested and crowded unlike Venice. But after a few days, I got used to it and enjoyed myself. Went to lots of museums, seen lots of churches, shopping then went to Chianti region for olive oil and wine tasting and tried the famous florentine steak.

Florence cathedral

Ponte Alla Carraia. The bridges in Florence were all bombed during WWII but one of the bridges were left untouched which is Ponte Vecchio.

Ponte vecchio- the only survived bridge in WWII

Florence city

Took the hop on hop off bus to tour around Florence

Stunning looking Fiesole

Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio museum

Everywhere has art work- the ceiling, the wall, the floor etc

Piazza della Republica

Outside of the Uffizi Museum

Cute signs in Florence

Next, I went for a half day tour to Chianti region which includes Castellina and San Gimignano. Surprisingly no other tourist joined this tour so I had a private van, private tour and a personal tour guide for the whole half day =)
He even gave a short tour around Florence hehe

A trip to Chianti region- vineyard

Castellina Chianti

vineyard

Casale dello Sparviero at Tuscany in Castellina in Chianti- a winery with huge vineyard

The wine cellar- French and Italian wine casks

The wine and olive oil tasting session. I had 5 cups of different wine and some grappa and was still sober >.<

Florentine Steak which was sooooo good

Took a train to Pisa from Florence.

Pisa city

Pulpit in the Pisa Cathedral by Giovanni

Leaning tower of Pisa

My plane from Florence to Paris was cancelled due to bad weather so we were driven to the Pisa airport and flew from there. The next plane back to Abd was the next morning so we were given a free room at the 4 star Best Western with 25 euro worth of dinner, complimentary breakfast and free wifi =)