Florence

Our journey today began with a bus ride to the city. We were led through the city by a local tour guide who showed us the Florence highlights like the Uffizi gallery, Plaza de Signora, and the famous Duomo. After the tour we enjoyed a short leather-making demonstration. We ate a lunch of pot roast and potatoes together and then split for an afternoon of free choice activities.

Many chose to climb the 462 to the top of the Dome to enjoy the spectacular view. Other activities included shopping and browsing on the Ponte Vechio, visiting the Santa Croce church, wondering through the Boboli gardens, and viewing Michelangelo’s magnificent David at the Academia gallery. We met back together to enjoy a pasta and chicken dinner. Afterwards we made a picture stop at Piazza Michelangelo as the sun set over the city.

Tomorrow we go to Pisa, Genoa, and then board the over-night ferry for Barcelona. My guess is that there will be no communication with the states while we're on the Mediterranean. We will arrive in Barcelona at about 3 p.m. local time - that's 9 a.m. on Thursday for you in Michigan.

FYI: Our Barcelona hotel location has been changed. The new info: Gran Hotel Verdi – Sabadell
Avenida Francesc Macia 62
08206 Barcelona
+34 93 72 311 11