Last night in Florence. Dinner at Acqua Al 2

In the States, there are weeks that go by without me feeling a need to drink coffee. But whenever I'm in Europe, I am suddenly drinking cappuccinos twice a day! There is nothing more satisfying than breaking up the day of sightseeing than unwinding in a coffee shop, people-watching, and finding relief in seeing the bottom of the cup. So the evening began the same way the morning began... with a cup of cappuccino.

Sadly, tonight is the last night in Florence. This is such an incredible city and is my all-time favorite city, rivaling Paris. Dinner had to be especially special tonight and I've always wanted to try Acqua Al 2 from hearing how great the restaurant is from people who have ate here. They have 3 restaurants in the world - Florence, San Diego, and their newest one in Washington DC. The food was very delicious and would highly recommend this restaurant. The downside was the wait time for a table because this place is VERY popular. However, the maître d' was very accommodating. He gave us patrons a glass of Prosecco while we waited. How nice right? To get a sample of everything and to make things easy, I would highly recommend getting the chef's tasting menu. The pasta tasting menu consisted of 5 pasta dishes. One pasta dish after another kept coming out, which made me very happy. The entree tasting was of both of their famous, world-renowned steaks - blueberry and balsamic. I personally like balsamic steak better because it isn't as sweet as the blueberry. But they are famous for both steaks, so regardless, you have to try both! Dessert was a tiramisu (my fav). The tiramisu is like a pudding here, and was very delicious. Overall, this restaurant was a great experience, and if I'm ever in San Diego or Washington, I'd eat here again to take me back to Florence, Italy... if only for a few hours.

Acqua Al 2

Via della Vigna Vecchia, 40  50122 Florence, Italy 055 284170

Pisa, Italy. A day trip from Florence

From Florence, you have the option of taking a couple day trips. I really wanted to go to Cinque Terre, which is 5 towns built on a coastal cliff-top. However, all the locals advised not to go because it was winter, the town was unfortunately flooded, and the trails were closed. Instead, I ended up venturing to Pisa, which I do not regret for a second! Words cannot describe the awe that struck me when I finally turn the corner of the street and see this tower actually leaning over!!! Obviously, I knew what to expect after seeing this is countless photographs, but it still did not prepare me to see this sight in person. The tower looks unreal, and its shocking to me how it hasn't fallen over yet! It truly is one the the world's most famous and precarious architectural feats. 

Here's what I learned about the tower mostly while eavesdropping on a tour group. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is actually a bell tower. Work on the ground floor of the white marble campanile began on August 8, 1173 and construction continued in three stages across 177 years. And of course, the infamous question - Why does it lean? The architects failed to realize was that the soil was unstable. After the first three stories were constructed, the ground began to sink, and the tower began to lean. Restoration is continually ongoing to stabilize it. This took my breath away and I felt like a kid seeing this. It still shocks me to this day.

The grounds of the tower are beautiful with its luscious green lawn, which everyone kept sneaking on to take a "propping up the tower" photo despite all the "keep off grass" signs. There is the Piazza del Duomo, dating from 1063. The first thing you notice upon walking up to the Duomo is the details in the bronze doors. Inside, it feels like a gallery housing several statues and important at works, all under a sixteenth century gorgeous wood ceiling. It reminds me of the Siena Cathedral with its striped marble, gothic architecture and the center marble pulpit. There is also the baptistry, a round white-marble building. Also inside are also some impressive statues.

Lunch was at La Buca. In my travel book, it was dubbed "a popular spot in the heart of Pisa. Buca draws the crowds to its pleasant terrace and the set-price lunch menu, which offers Tuscan cuisine at a reasonable price." Again, so hard to find a bad meal in Tuscany. Everything was delicious. If you ever find yourself in Pisa - go here. Pisa overall was such an incredible trip and my second favorite stop, next to Florence. I have what I think are some of the best photos here!!! Enjoy them below!

Yes it really looks like this!

Entering the gates...

In fronf of the Duomo and Leaning Tower

Love this place!

Amazing!

Bruschetta 

Fresh Pizza

Fresh pasta

Interior of La Buca

Detailed bronze doors

The interior marble reminds me of Siena Cathedral

Marble Pulpit

Lavish ceilings

Gallery of artwork inside

Gelato Break!

Details of my outfit

Back to Florence

Florence Day 2 Dinner at Ristorante Il Latini

This is a restaurant that is hard to find and located in an obscure street. It took forever to find. A lot of locals hadn't even heard of the street. Finally, I smartened up! Instead of asking, "dove via del palchetti?" I asked, "dove il Latini?" and immediately, the local faces lit up and they knew! Once the restaurant decides to reveal itself to you, you'll see how busy it is! From the store front, you can see whole prosciutto hams hanging from the ceiling. And it didn't gross me out the way it does back in the States! It was quite beautiful - like art work. (I would never describe meat hanging as art work by the way!) There is no menu here. No prices. Only specials of the day. You come in and plates of food start coming to your table. The waiter will ask if you want house wine - say yes (very good). They will give you a carafe of delicious red wine. Then they'll ask if you want antipasto. If you say yes, they will bring you an assortment of cured meats and bread. Then once you're done with that, they'll ask if you want the primi piatti, which consists of pasta - ravioli or gnocchi. Both are hand made and delicious. Then they ask you what you'd like for secondi, which is a meat extravaganza. You can choose chicken, steak, pork, lamb, etc. The veal* chop is excellent. By now you know the ritual. They ask if you want dessert. If you're completely stuffed by the endless plates at this point as I was, you will politely decline the dessert. But the waiters will still bring out Moscato or a Vin Santo and a sampling of several pastries, cakes, and almond biscotti. Very good! When you ask for the check, the waiter simply looks at what you ate and how much you drank, and will hand you back a tab. It is reasonably priced and quite the experience.

Ristorante Il Latini

Via dei Palchetti, 6/r  50123 Florence, Italy 055 210916

Florence Day 2 - Campanile, Uffizi, Piazza de Michelangelo

"Buon giorno Firenze!" This morning I tackled scaling all 414 steps of the Campanile known as Giotto's Bell Tower. The spiral staircase is so narrow that you have to stop at the top or bottom of a flight to let people pass you in the opposite direction! I definitely felt like I wanted to faint at times because the stairs seem never-ending and the wind and cold was unbearable (this is February after all). But once you get to the top, it is so rewarding! You have views of all of Florence and an incredible one of the Duomo. If the lines aren't long, this is worth it. 

Since Florence is the cradle of the renaissance, the Uffizi Gallery is home to some of the world's greatest art collection. Here I got to see my favorite painting of all time in person - The Birth of Venus by Botticelli. The painting is beautiful with its soothing colors, feminine elements, and romanticism. After getting lost in the museum, I went to the San Lorenzo Street Market. Florence is well known for leather, so try to pick up something leather. I saw so many gorgeous handbags and jackets, but walked away with a pink leather wallet and some souvenir novelties. Have cash on hand, but I noticed some stands do take credit cards (surprisingly). As with any crowded foreign place, beware of pick-pocketers, since its common here. And be prepared to haggle. 

Lunch was at a random trattoria called Mastrociliegia. The prices were fair and the food was good! Im finding out its hard to pick a bad place to eat in Florence. Every where you go, Tuscan food is amazing. At dusk, I already knew the place where I wanted to be and that's the Piazza de Michelangelo. This is a little far outside the city so my best advice would be, take a cab! Especially if you're trying to catch sunset like I was. Its a square built on a hilltop and you get a panoramic view of all of Florence while being away from it.  Take some time to appreciate the piazza itself. Dedicated to Michelangelo, it has a replica of the David Statue, amongst other works of art. This is one site you'd be foolish to miss. And even if you're not frozen as I was, end the night with a little cappuccino. 

Giotto's Bell Tower

One of the small windows from the Bell Tower

Duomo 

View of Piazza Republica from the Campanile

Birth of Venus by Botticelli c. 1486

San Lorenzo Market

Santa Maria Novella by SMN Station

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Painter at Piazza Michelangelo

View from Piazza Michelangelo