Pisa, Italy: The Leaning Tower

It's not every day you visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

We took a short train ride from Florence to Pisa, where we caught our plane to Paris. But of course we couldn't pass through Pisa without seeing its famous landmark. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a bell tower in Pisa's Piazza del Duomo, and it has been leaning since the 12th century. Nearly a millennium later, it's still going strong -- albeit with a little help. (From scaffolding, not from tourists pretending to "help.") (Not to say we didn't take a couple cheesy photos ourselves. You sort of have no choice.) It was actually pretty cool to walk up the tiny stairways through the crooked tower, and the view from the top was awesome.

We couldn't help ourselves.

And thus concludes our Italian portion of our European honeymoon. Hopefully I'll get around to my Paris posts and therefore finish blogging about our honeymoon soon. Then I can get around to blogging about that 2nd anniversary trip to the Amalfi Coast. But for now, regular blogging will resume shortly. As in, tomorrow. You're welcome :)

Florence, Italy: Around the City

Matt and I love Venice for its unique character. We love Rome for its history and never-ending list of things to do and see. And we love Florence for being Florence. It's our favorite of the three, and I don't know if I can even pinpoint why. Perhaps it'ss just because it offered a nice change of pace three weeks into our trip. Or, more probably, it's because of the quiet, magical charm that Florence exudes.

Matt and I loved just roaming the clean streets, walking along the waterfront, exploring the markets, indulging in the food, and taking in the ambiance. Our days in Florence were beautiful.

We stayed in the most wonderful hotel called Firenze Suites. Its manager, Brother Morelli, is a friend-of-a-friend and a fellow member of our church. He was the best!

If we had about 800 Euro to spare, Matt and I could have both walked away with some pretty sweet leather jackets. I actually sort of regret not buying my favorite -- a perfect, side-zip, camel-colored beauty.

Ever had artichokes on your pizza? You should.

Waving goodbye to our favorite Italian city!

The Tuscan countryside is gorgeous.

Florence, Italy: Scooters and Sunsets

By far, one of my most favorite memories ever is riding a scooter through Florence to watch the sunset from the Piazza Michaelangelo on the hill with my new husband. So fun and romantic and relaxing and exciting all at once! The view and the evening were just so perfectly beautiful. My friends, this is a must if you go to Florence.

Fake David was looking fine!

Navigating crazy Italian roads from the back of a scooter is oh-so-interesting.