Florence, the second time around, did not cease to amaze me. It had been a decade since I had visited the city, yet as soon as I began wandering around, it felt like it had only been days since everything seemed surprisingly familiar. Trafalgar Tours presented our group with two choices: a tour of The Academy or shopping time. I chose to do the former, even though I had previously been there. I would never turn down the opportunity to get up close and personal with the “world’s most handsome man.”
Cameras are strictly prohibited within the museum. If our guide had not started off the tour by informing us that the reason why cameras are not allowed is because the gift shop wants our money, then I would have followed the rule. However, I believe that some rules are made to be broken and since the statues would not be harmed by me taking some pictures without a flash, I decided to sneak a couple with both my iPhone and DSLR.
Michelangelo is one of the most talented and prolific artists to ever grace this planet and his genius is evident inside The Academy. The statue of David does not disappoint and the history behind it is fascinating. I highly recommend paying extra for a tour if you should find yourself there.
As karma would have it, both of my cameras began to die and while I would have loved more pictures, I decided to save my remaining battery lives for downtown Florence. Less than a five minute walk away from the museum is another artistic wonder — the Duomo. I attended a traditional Latin mass there during my first trip to Florence and it is something that I will never forget, as I have never felt so authentically transported to another era before.
One of the fellow journalist’s on the trip and I decided to go off on our own for the rest of the evening. She was very familiar with the city and also spoke Italian, thus she played guide. Before we set off on our adventure though, we decided that a trip to Florence was incomplete without some gelato.
Florence continues to become more multicultural and cosmopolitan than its reputation for style, delicious food and wine, and passion for art. It is truly one of the greatest cities in the world to photograph, especially at night when it shimmers and the cars dance through the neighborhoods with people out having fun. Fair warning: the Florentine lifestyle is addictive and many tourists fall in love with the city and adopt is as their second home.
To end the day on the perfect note, my companion and I looked for the pizzeria with the most locals inside. Once we found it, we shared a large margarita pizza and bottle of wine. We toasted to our last night in Tuscany — tomorrow we would journey to Rome!
I love the arty shots, but you know where my heart really lies: that pizza looks so fresh and delicious!
Haha, I know my dear, my heart lies with the food as well. 😉
Oh the pizza! Great photos… jealous that you got to see David! I wanted to sneak a photo of the Sistine Chapel ceiling so badly (with no flash of course) but I didn’t have the courage, haha! Way to be a rebel! Mass in the Duomo sounds incredible!
Thanks love! Yeah that’s another places that deserves to be photographed ugh!!! I was so nervous taking the shots, but then I was so mad my cameras were dying haha.
I’m glad you rebelled and got some pics inside anyways. Those rules make me insane!!!!
Haha I can only imagine how insane they make YOU!!! I wish I could have gotten some more creative shots, but there were guards everywhere!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh Firenze! You could write about Florence every day and every day I would smile, bella.
I also had to take some sneaky camera shots of David. It is funny seeing people not even be sneaky about it. All the guards do is just politely ask you to not take pictures. I did not know that the reason why was because of the gift shop though. If you spend money in the gift shop, they should then let you take pictures.
One thing that troubled me was all the graffiti on the walls of the Academia. It wasn’t even the street art that I love. Just tagging. I wondered how the youth of Florence could tag the house that is home to one of the world’s most famous sculptures.
The pizza looks amazing. Do you remember what restaurant you went to?
I’d probably lose readers over time, but at least I’d still have you! 😉 I’d love to see your shots of the David! I agree about the tagging on the walls. I’m all about rebelling, but to a certain extent. I guess when you grow up surrounded by art you become jaded to it? I wish I could remember the name of the pizza place. It had the word “yellow” in it’s name…
Unless you start blogging about Justin Bieber and Tim Tebow, you will not lose me as a reader, Andi.
I will post some David photos on my FB fan page.
Maybe the sculpture of The Rape of the Sabine Woman in the Accademia is a replica? I can’t imagine it ever being moved from its location.
Hahaha you are too cute!!! I will have to look into The Rape of the Sabine Woman! Now you’ve got me curious friend!
OH MY GOD GELATO. I need it. SO badly.
Hahahaha ME TOO love!
By the way, when did they move The Rape of the Sabine Women from the Loggia dei Lanzi to the Accademia?
Good question! In all honesty I was paying more attention to not getting caught taking pictures than listening to our guide. Woops!!!
Love the photos especially the pizza shot. YUM!
Haha thanks dear!!!
The Duomo and Florence are on my bucket list. You just moved them up a few spots with this post. And the pizza…yummy!
Wahhhooooooo! I love inspiring people. You’re going to have the BEST time there!!!
I hate it when museums do not allow photography. I understand the no flash rule, but let me take a piece of the experience home with me.
Thanks for breaking the rule 😉
Haha I did it just for you darling! 😉
Looking forward to the Chicago version of My Beautiful Adventures.
Hahaha soon my friend! Can’t wait!!!
ohh Chicago – I used to live there and miss that city so much. cant wait to read those posts!!
Amazing as always Andi 🙂
Oh wow any suggestions for me? Glad you enjoyed the post!!! 🙂
I know it is cold there right now, but if the Navy Peir is open it is worth the wonder – there is a little bar there that does great Mojitos. Even a walk along the lake in the snow is worth it. The aquarium is amazing, one of the best I have been to. Sears tower or the John Hancock Observatory for views of the city. Of course you have to do photos at the Bean, and if there is still the ice skatiing rink set up there then it is worth a go. Magnificent mile for your shopping. For deep dish pizza Chicago favs are Lou Malnatis or Giordanos – heaven in a deep dish 🙂 have fun exploring there is so much more to see than above, I know you will have the best time xo
Best suggestions thank you soooo much!
My goodness you dazzle me!!!!!!!
Wow what a nice comment thank you!
I always learn something new from your post!
That’s awesome to hear!
Amazing pictures, I guess Museum is one of those places wherein we can’t resist clicking pictures. Thanks, nice share!!
Thank you and yes I couldn’t resist!
Each post are very good with the awesome pictures including “world’s most handsome man.”
Haha why thank you!
The food looks DELICIOUS!!!!! 😀
And I think I would enjoy attending a Latin mass, even if I wouldn’t understand a word… seeing the ceremony around it, especially in a place like il Duomo would be enough!
I’m not a religious person, but I still thought it was an extraordinary experience that I highly recommend!!! And the food was super de super delicious haha.
That tour guide has some gall! Only you could get art, gelato and pizza in one post. It’s almost too much!!
Hahaha and I could have written even more, but I chose to be selective! 😉
I loved the Duomo (and the David, of course!) Pretty sure I had a 20 euro gelato when we were there. I picked about six flavours and my father always reminds me of that when he’s telling me how spoilt I am 😉
Hahahaha your Dad is so cute! If I had been in Italy longer I would have had gelato EVERY day.I got 2 flavors, but can’t remember which ones.
Andi this is such an amazing adventure!
Couldn’t agree more!!!
Unreal photos! Amazing!!!
Thank you sooo much!
Oh yum, that pizza looks gorgeous! I miss Italy…
I miss her too!!!
Beautiful articulation…loved reading…
Oh wow thank you, sooo happy to hear that! 🙂
I adore Florence, I honestly didn’t remember that you couldn’t take photos of David, I am pretty sure that we did – I am just amazed you could get him without a crowd of people around him!
I am very, very sneaky!! 😉
Andi your iphone photos make me want to throw my blackberry out the window! Amazing and very inspiring what a little creativity and a phone can do!
Haha don’t throw it away, sell it, then buy an iPhone!!! It’s an amazing device I tell ya!
Thanks for inspiring us!!!!!!!
Awww you’re SO welcome!
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GREAT POST!
THANKS!
Oh, just fabulous! 🙂 I’ve actually never tried gelato before because I want my first time to be in Italy. hehe.
Yes please wait until Italy, it’s a must!