Florence to Venice

We started our tour of Florence, the most populous city in Tuscany walking down the cobbled street. This city lies on the River Arno and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. This door is made of gold and located on the east side of the Baptistry. Each square represents a historical religious event in the proper sequence.The Florence Cathedral and Baptistery of St. John from Piazza del Duomo. A distinctive feature of Florence's skyline is the dome of the cathedral (Duomo), Santa Maria del Fiore. The building itself, located due north of the Piazza della Signoria, was begun by the sculptor Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296 .
Our next stop was The Piazzale Michelangelo a large, partly pedestrianized square located across the Arno River from the center of Florence. The square (piazzale) is dedicated to the city's most famous renaissance artist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.

The pictures above show River Arno which is approximately 240 km long. It flows from the Mount Falterona hills of the Apennine Mountains to the Ligurian Sea, that is 11 km west of Pisa.The Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna, in the Loggia dei Lanzi (within the vicinity of Piazelle Michelangelo).Benvenuto Cellini's statue Perseus With the Head of Medusa. Our guide told us it depicts the defeat of Siena by Florence. Famous sculpture of David created between 1501 and 1504, by the Italian artist, Michelangelo.

Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune)Cosimo de Medici

The above are not sculptures....they are real policemen on horses!

We had the most (so far) delicious, awesome Italian food for lunch. Farfalle in tomato sauce, Potato with ricotta cheese and ham, coffee and tiramisu. Yum....yummy!

We travelled to Venice after lunch.

**Day 6