Visiting Patti in Florence!

Hello all!

So I figured since I leave for Paris on Sunday, it's about time I post about my trip to Florence. I had a great time in Italia! So much pizza, so much fun! And now I'm much more confident in my Italian-speaking abilities. Here are some photos of my trip:

This is the view from Patti's terrace! Yes, her Italian apartment has a terrace. And if you lean over, you can see the Arno River. Perfetto!

 Some of the artwork in the dome of Il Duomo, the famous cathedral in Florence. I went to Mass there 3 times, all of them in Italian!

The Ponte Vecchio, which was about a five minute walk from Patti's apartment!

Some shots of Piazza Repubblica. This was probably my favorite piazza. I really liked the carousel!

Amazingly, I was in Florence for the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy! The Italian flag was everywhere!

 The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, the one attached to the Duomo.

The Duomo! The sheer size of this structure is incredible!

I went to Dante's old church and his house, which is now a museum.

One of the best things I did while I was in Florence was visiting the Palazzo Pitti. It's a huge palace, which is a museum now. I wasn't allowed to take any photos of the artwork, but this is a view from one of the windows in the palace. The Medici's knew how to live!

These are some photos of the Giardini Bobli (Bobli Gardens), my favorite spot in Florence. They're part of the grounds of the Palazzo Pitti, and I absolutely fell in love with them!

Patti, Christina (Patti's roommate), and I went up to Piazza del Michelangelo at sunset. Such an amazing view of the city!

Patti and I with our gelato! Seriously, between the gelato and the pizza, I don't know how I didn't gain 500 pounds while I was there!

Fun night out in Florence with Patti and her friends!
I had so much fun in Italia! Many thanks to Patti, Christina, and their apartment-mates for hosting me!

Well, I guess that's it for my trip to Florence. Next stop, Paris! But first, I have to finish my last Oxford essay. How can it be almost over?!?

Love and miss you all!