When in Florence...Day 8 in Italy

Well, it had come to our final day in Italy.  We got up and had another great breakfast at the Strozzi Palace, and then headed to the Uffizi Gallery for a 9:00 am reservation.

Just in case you were wondering- Jordan is doing an Emergen-C.  Its what got us through this trip I'm pretty sure.  We had one every morning.

At the Uffizi, we saw beautiful paintings by Giotto, Leonardo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Michaelangelo, and Botticelli.  Its a pretty small museum, so we were through it pretty fast.  There were no pictures allowed, but here are some of the most notable works we saw that I liked.

Filippo Lippi, Madonna and Child with Angels

Leonardo, Annunciation

Botticelli, Birth of Venus; Jordan just listened to a course on mythology, and he says the real story isn't quite so, um sweet.

Botticelli, Allegory of Spring: I once did a ballet piece entitled "The Three Graces"--and there they are on the left!

Once we were through the museum, we did take some pictures on the terrace of the Uffizi.  

the Palazzo Vecchio

Then, we went to the courtyard and took pictures of some of Jordan's favorite Ninja turtles, I mean, famous Italians.

Afterwards, we went to the Duomo and actually went inside.  In comparison, it was pretty bare, but still had some beautiful artwork.

I couldn't figure this clock out, but it looks cool!

The inside of the Duomo

Looking into the dome

"Just look at that big ole Duomo!!!"

After the Duomo, we went back to the hotel for a nap and packing, since our flight left Florence at 7:20 am the next morning.  It was great, because we didn't feel the need to be out and about any more and a nap was much needed :)  That evening, we went out for a fancy dinner at Osteria del Porcellio, at the recommendation of the concierge.  It was delicious and candle-lit.  A perfect final meal in Florence.

But, I decided it was important to have a pre-nap cannoli.

Holy Cannoli!!!

in the Piazza della Repubblica

There also happened to be a Ferrari store right by our hotel....

mmmmmmm.....gelato

 After dinner and gelato, we decided to take one more walk to the Ponte Vecchio before we said goodbye to Italy.  Standing with Jordan on this beautiful bridge, after a dream week in Italy, I couldn't help but get a little teary.  My life is wonderful and I am so grateful we were able to take this trip together!!!!