Tuscany (Missing the Sun)

Unfortunately, I met with some rain and wind during the rest of my visit to Tuscany. But I still managed to visit some beautiful medieval towns. I will just have to be back again to see in the sunshine.

Here is San Gimignano, famous for its 14 towers, all that remain of the original 72. It dates from a period when prosperous families battled, using the their towers o store grain for sieges. They were also conveniently used for dumping boiling oil on attacking enemies.

View from a turret at the fortress in the middle of the town.
The Piazza del Campo in the city of Siena. This is where the Palio still takes place twice a year, when jockeys from the city's 17 districts race bareback horses around the square.

The floors inside the duomo in Siena are covered with beautiful inlaid marble. Look at the intricate designs of the Libreria Piccolomini, in the duomo.

The rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside.

Firenze, Toscana (Florence, Tuscany)

This is the very impressive Duomo in the center of Florence. The city commissioned a cathedral to be built so magnificent that it would be "impossible to make it better or more beautiful with the industry and poser of man." Wow.

The beautiful green, white and red marble walls are really grand, and it is visible from nearly every corner of the city.
Built in 1345, the Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence. The buildings that line the bridge look like they are clinging on for dear life.
A copy of Michaelangelo's David and other sculptures grace the Piazza Della Signoria.

Christmas is here with lots of lights and decorations at the Piazza Della Repubblica.

Look, the Cow Parade has made it's way to Florence too!! It was in Chicago in 1999, hehe. There were colorful cows at all the historical spots all over town.
This is the Boboli Gardens of the Palazzo Pitti, a palace built by a 15th century banker. A backyard with a beautiful view of the city. Not bad!

Venezia at Sunset

I couldn't resist not sharing these pictures! This is my last Venezia. Now you can see why I've fallen in love with this city.

Venezia: View from the Campanile (Bell Tower)

I paid my 6 euro to go to the top of this 96m brick bell tower on the corner of Piazza San Marco, and was rewarded with absolutely breathtaking views of the city. And to complete the whole bell tower experience, the bells started to ring. It was pretty awesome to see and hear the six huge bells swinging away.

It's Snowing!!

Saturday, November 26th, noon: It's snowing in Milan!! This does not happen very often here, maybe once a year and in January. Wow, what an incredible sight outside my window. I remember the first time I saw snow. I was a wide-eyed 9 year old in Seoul, Korea. I'm still the wide-eyed girl here. ;-)

Venezia

Some architectural details...

This is Venice

Wow, I took so many pictures in a short 1.5 day visit that I don't even know where to start. Venezia was more beautiful than I could ever imagine. The weather was absolutely wonderful despite the cool temperature. It was sunny with blue skies, probably the best weather I've seen since I arrived in Italy 6 weeks ago. I loved wandering around around this city where no cars or even motorbikes are allowed. It's amazing what a huge difference to the air and noise pollution that makes. The only forms of transport is via the canal pathways, on a water bus, water taxi or gondola.
Piazza San Marco, where people and pigeons crowd. At the end of the piazza is the Basilica di San Marco. This church is covered inside and out with intricate gold and marble mosaics.The gondolas are still alive, thanks to the hordes of tourists. I've yet to meet a real Italian who has actually been on a gondola ride. It is fun to watch the gondoliers at work. It's all man-powered. They actually have to paddle and steer the boat.