We're having the best time ever!!!
Yesterday we met up with Heather and Jenelle in Florence and went out first to Santa Maria Novella church (Stacey, Tamara and I waited outside since we weren't dressed appropriately). Then we grabbed a yummy little sandwich downtown and did some more sightseeing. We ended our afternoon with some wine drinking on a patio at Piazza Santo Spirito and then we grabbed a cab up to San Miniato al Monte, an 11th century basilica up on the hill overlooking Florence. We got there as the monks were chanting, which was a really beautiful experience. I have some video, but the internet here is terrible and it would take too long to post.
Afterwards we grabbed dinner at my favourite restaurant Za Za and stuffed ourselves silly, and then headed to the fortezza to browse the stalls and enjoy some delicious shisha. A fairly tame night...
This morning we woke up for the FANTASTIC breakfast at our hotel (best scrambled eggs and hot chocolate I've ever had), and then headed off for our adventurous day of horseback riding and wine tasting in the Chianti region. The tour company picked us up at the train station in Florence, and then drove us out to the countryside, making two stops for scenic picture-taking. We arrived at the ranch and got suited up. The horses were all really sweet. Mine was named Acadia. Tamara's was named Bruta (not to be confused with the Italian word "Brutta" which means ugly). The ride was gorgeous (we've been having perfect weather by the way) but now we all have very sore bums. After the ride, we were given some white wine, and then driven out to a nearby hilltop village where we got a great lunch at a tuscan restaurant.... we had crostini, cheese, prosciutto, mini gnocchi with meat ragu, and spaghetti with tomato sauce. Dessert was panna cotta (meh) with chocolate sauce (incredible). We also had more wine, and then went to a wine shop across the square for more tastings. After all of that, our fabulous guide drove us back to Florence. I was talking to a few of the guides and half-jokingly asked if there would be a chance I could get a job with them in a year's time when I'm done school. They said absolutely, and they'd be happy to help me.
Now we're getting ready for pizza and a night at my favourite outdoor club. Enjoy the pictures below!
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| Stacey, Jenelle, Heather and Tamara in front of the Duomo |
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| Heather, Stacey and I in front of San Minato al Monte |
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| Grabbing a drink while waiting for our table at Za Za |
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| Stacey and I at the fortezza |
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| Piazzale Michelangelo before horseback riding |
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| Stacey on her horse |
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| Me and Acadia |
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| Horseback riding |
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| Lunch after horseback riding |
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