Italy, Day 1

Siamo arrivati!  After 4 airports, 3 planes and 21 hours later we jumped in our Mazda 3 rental car and sped off to Pisa.  We chanced upon the correct highway to go along the Western Coast of Italy.  We made it 10 minutes from the airport before Mark had to stop and buy Blood Red Orange Aranciata (an Italian soft drink). 

Our first real stop was in a quaint town called Piombino where we wanted to catch a glimpse of the island of Elba; Napolean’s exile island.

 

Next up was strolling the rolling hills of the Tuscany vineyards.  Here is a picture of our future retirement home.

Four hours later we arrived in Pisa.  We checked into our hotel, showered, then headed to the first of many shops to buy Gilato.  We ate the yummy goodness on our way to the Piazza dei Miracoli to see the Leaning Tower, the Duomo and the Baptistry. 

I have seen the Leaning Tower in so many pictures but seeing this piece of architecture in person was amazing.  You get to see the small details and of course pay to walk to the top.  In case you’re wondering…I climbed 293 stairs to get to the top.  Then 293 back down.  Here I am ‘holding’ up the tower.  Pretty sweet, huh?

Next up was the Baptistry. 

This is where baptisms were performed (by immersion, by the way) way back during the middle ages.  Hence the giant font behind Mark in the picture.  The baptistry also had awesome stained glass windows. 

Last but not least was the Duomo which is the main cathedral of the city.  It’s huge but small compared to St. Peter’s which we will see this weekend. 

This picture doesn’t do the inside justice, but you can kind of get a hint of the enormity of the place.

To finish off the day we ate panino with salami and fresh mozzarella and fresh basil and olive oil.  It was goooooood.  I could have eaten two I was so hungry from all the walking we did.  After 34 hours of being up and going non stop we are ready to crash for the evening.  Ciao!