July 3, 2005
My good friend Florence, we're comin' for a visit! Sadly to say we backed our way out of Venice saying goodbye
but promising to be back again some day soon.
Today we had the experience of eating at an Auto Grill in Bologna, Italy - this rest stop restaurant spans above both
sides of the highway and serves very good meals.
After our arrival in Florence and checking into the Hotel Accademia we all met in the front of the hotel for our walking
tour and viewing of the Uffizi gallery.
| The Palace in Florence next to the Uffizi Gallery |
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| A copy of the statue David sits on display |
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| just outside the Palace. |
Unfortunately one of our tour members mother had passed away while we were on tour. John had to fly home in Frankfurt,
Germany and then surprised us outside of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
| John and Chris reunite at the rear exit of the |
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| Uffizi Gallery!!! |
| The Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River. |
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| Another beautiful evening!!! |
| Dinner time is a place for all to catch up on the |
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| days events - this restaurant overlooked the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio!!! |
| After dinner Ben took us on a walking tour to walk |
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| off those calories!!! |
| The Duomo with all its pink, green, and white |
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| marble from the mines in Carrara. |
| The beautiful Baptistery doors. |
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July 4, 2005
Happy 4th of July!!! Today was a free day to ourselves. We slept in, did laundry and visited the market.
Later in the day the group got together to celebrate our U.S. holiday with a little wine, Lemonciello, and appetizers.
| Today we were on our own to venture off were we |
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| wanted. One of our stops was the open markets just 1 block over from our hotel. |
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