Ciao Ciao...

Let me start off by apologizing for the major delay in posts. There was no Internet to be had for the Italian leg. We are actually all back from Europe now, but I wanted to post on our first couple days in Italy. We took the train from Nice to Genova. The sites along the way are pretty amazing! It was my first European train ride, so it was an interesting adventure.
Our night in Genova was somewhat uneventful, which was not necessarily a bad thing. We still had our obligitory house red and amazing meal. Obviously, in the birthplace of Pesto, you must eat the local cuisine. Our first taste of Italy did not let us down. The service was great and the food even better.
The next morning, we woke up early and picked up our very european blue Fiat Punto - we appropriately named him Papa Smurf. The drive to Florence was also picturesque as can be. Jon navigated his way through the hills and tunnels of Western Italy as we took in the views. A common theme of Italy was the GPS being either the savior or dagger of our day trips. Luckily, we were saved this time as driving through the streets of Florence is frantic to say the least. Our hotel location couldn't have been better. The Duomo was two blocks away, Accedemia 4 blocks and Uffizi down the street. The little old lady at the front desk was so accommodating and endearing that it made us feel right at home. Jon and T used the remainder of the daylight hours roaming the streets of Florence and doing what Jon loves best - shop. I managed to sit in line to hike the 463 steps of the Duomo.







We went to another fine Italian meal that evening and capped off the night having a few drinks at a fun Irish pub by the hotel. The next day Jon and I woke up early to go to the Uffizi and take in the Italian classics. We walked around Firenze and observed the city that is one colossal Museum in and of itself. After seeing David at the Accedemia (and that's about all you get for the 10 Euro entry fee), we departed for Tuscany. Yet another adventure in the Summer Euro tour 2009.

As the locals say...Ciao Ciao