There isn't internet service at the hotel so I'm blogging at an internet cafè today. Unfortunately that means no pictures today. I'll try to post extra tomorrow. We had the ususal for breakfast - rolls, jam, cheese & meats, yogurt, cereal (cornflakes) with warm milk. There was also some great extras - a machine that made all kinds of hot drinks (the kids learned hot chocolate is not the same everywhere) and watermelon. It was great.
We headed to the Accademia and saw Michelangelo's David. It is again amazing how spectacular the art is up close and personal. There were several other amazing pieces in the museum. Then we gave the kids the rest of the day as 'free' time. All the kids opted to go to the Uffizi. This houses important works such as Bottecelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera, De Vinci's Madonna of the Stairs and pieces by Titian and Tintoretto to name a few. I was so amazed that every single kid chose to go. This is such a great group - making the most of this opportunity.
Katie & I did our own thing (Santa Croce, laundry, the real market...) but ran into kids from time to time. Some climbed to the top of the Dome, some walked along the river, some found other museums and all shopped at the vendor's markets. They seemed to be getting a lot of souvenir shopping done. Be prepared for some great gifts but you may want to check their bank accounts. No seriously, we watched them learn the fine art of bartering.
We are meeting for dinner in a few minutes then we are heading up to the Piazelle Michelangelo. This is a hill at the edge of the old city with a copy of the statue of David. It has great views of the Arno river and overlooks the town. Its spectacular!
The kids are wonderful! Such great attitudes and genuine interest in things that are new and different. You should all be proud!
ReplyDeleteThank you Wendy & Katie for all you are doing for our kids. Thank you for making this such a memorable trip for them.... one that they will remember with fondness the rest of their lives!!! For those of us who were not in a position to take our children to Europe ourselves, we are so thrilled to have them travel with women who will make it the BEST EVER for them, just and we would have tried to do ourselves! Plus, thanks for sharing it here at home with us with the photos and blogs.... it's the highlight of our day! Happy travels.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a great group this trip! So glad things are going so well! We sure do miss you and the boys, but are happy that you're all having fun!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you guys are having so much fun. It looks beautiful. Katie and Wendy you guys are awesome!
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