A couple of weeks ago we bought tickets to go see The Nutcracker in Florence (Firenze). It's about a five and a half hour drive north, so we got on the road before noon to get to the show at 8:30 pm. ROAD TRIP!
As we passed Rome, we entered a wall of clouds and rain that lasted until right outside Firenze. Here we are, approaching.
We got to the hotel in Firenze with just enough time to shower and get ready, then grab a quick bite of appetizers before heading to the show.
Woohoo! We made it!
Loved the ceiling lights.
This version of The Nutcracker (Lo Schiaccianoci) was so wild! Sixties-style slip dresses, bouffant hairstyles, no Drosselmeyer or Sugar Plum Fairy, a drunk Christmas tree character, and Santa Claus. And it was FANTASTIC!
Buon Natale, Firenze!
Theater "tragedy".
Theater "comedy"! On a side note, I think my husband cleans up nicely. Boy, he looks great in a suit! I'm a lucky lady!
After almost 24 straight hours awake, D collapsed on our hotel bed as soon as we got back.
Our hotel in Firenze (the Hotel Ariele) is a converted former Palace. It's gorgeous! And affordable! Here is the breakfast nook by our breakfast buffet.
Waiting to check out the next morning.
Heading to Pisa!
The Baptistry (large building in front), the Cathedral, and in the back the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
Stupid requisite torre pics!
D didn't like the tower, so he pushed it over. ;)
Since Pisa is a port city, much of the architecture here is very internationally-influenced. Pisa had much more exposure to outside cultures than the rest of Italy! The mosaics here are gorgeous (but aside from this area, there's very little to see in Pisa).
Many of the columns on the tower are capped with unique sculptures. These are little demons eating fruit.
A bear, sea monster, and an ox carved on the outside of the tower.
Stability beam in the tower to help it stay at its current 5-degree incline. Before the most recent renovations and stabilization were put in just a few years ago, the tower was leaning at a 5.3-degree incline, so it has improved.
View from the top of the tower!
A very cool gryphon at the top of the Cathedral.
Climbing up to the bells at the tippy-top of the tower.
Bells!
Mosaics on the cathedral. Beautiful!
Taking a walk through Pisa to find lunch.
Heading home, leaving the clouds behind!
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