The Canals of Venice

Venice in Pictures, Pictures of Venice.

Siena

Siena was a half-day trip from Florence.

Apparently it was Florence's greatest rival.. until it lost.
The plague wiped out over 1/3 of Siena's population and the city never recovered.

Siena is split into 17 parts, each represented by a colorful storybook-looking flag.

When I visited there was a traditional parade, complete with young men in velvet outfits and tights.

I ate Siena's typical pastry, paneforte.

Siena felt slightly like a fairytale.

Florence

Florence is beautiful. I think I heard more English than Italian spoken and I wouldn't be surprised if a majority of the city's residents are expats and visitors... but the city is a dreamy and peaceful treat that embodies the Renaissance like none other. Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, and Botticelli are three Florentine Renaissance men that inspired me. Highlights included the Santa Maria del Fiore (and Brunelleschi's incredible Duomo), the view from the Piazzale Michelangelo, the statue of David, the Ufizi Gallery, plenty of piazzas, Gusta pizza, the Boboli gardens and walking along the river and across Florence's famous Ponte Vecchio.