FIRENZE (Florence)!!!

Yeah, I have arrived in Florence!!!  I have been most excited to see Florence because I have heard so many wonderful things about it and really can't think of hearing of a single complaint from anyone who has been here.  We had a fun train ride from Rimini to Bologna (a little over an hour) where we connected to our train to Florence.  The seats were sold out so we had to stand but I opted to sit at the back of the train on the floor instead.  :)  Otherwise getting here was a piece of cake.  I would say that we have mastered the trains in Italy!

I haven't done much since we arrived today.  Just relaxed at the hostel and read my book.  The next three days will be full of sight seeing and getting in as much as I can!!

My last day in Rome I went to the Vatican City.  I am glad that I did because I would have regretted not going and I never had any doubts about wanting to go it was just that once I got there I realised that I really didn't have the energy to deal with the heat and ALL THE TOURISTS!!!!!   OMG!!  I went to the top of St. Peter's Cathedral which was an ordeal.  There was a huge line and a zillion stairs to climb (more than the Cliffs of Mon Sofie!!).  Towards the top you had to walk bent over a little to one side because we were getting close to the top of the dome.  It was very tight and at some points you could barely fit width wise, there were nothing but steps up and up and up and lines of people in front of you and behind you and it was SO hot!!  I was feeling a little claustrophobic!  But once to the top, it really was a gorgeous sight over looking the entirety of the massive city of Rome!  Then I went to the Vatican, at this point it was in the afternoon and thankfully there wasn't any line but there were still hoards of tourists (it's to be expected)!  The Vatican Museum was very elaborate with all of the wall paintings, tapestries and art.  It was very cool to see and of course I got to see the Sistine Chapel up close and personal in real life!!  That was very neat but at this point in my trip at Rome I really didn't have the energy to deal with the heat and crowds but I am glad that I pushed myself through it!

We made a quick two night stop in Rimini.  The purpose of going there was to see a castle in Urbino.  It is supposed to be really beautiful but honestly after Rome the beach was to tempting and we opted to chill out at the beach all day yesterday instead.  It was nice to regain a little color to my tan and relax in the sun.

The next three days I will be busy taking in all that Florence has to show me, super exited!!

That's all for now, ciao!!