Pisa, Florence, & Rome

(20/6/15) Goodbye to Nice and hello to FLORENCE, but on our way there we stopped at a "bucket list" spot; the leaning tower of Pisa. I suppose it's one of those "must do" things when you're in Italy. It was interesting hearing about the cemeteries and the people who created amazing dome church and towers, but all together felt just a tad too touristy for my liking. Still, we took some snaps with our friend Archie, and then went to have our VERY FIRST TRUE ITALIAN PIZZA! Woooo!!!! How exciting! 

Back on the bus, and off to FLORENCE! Wow, some of the buildings are sensational. You'd walk down a little side street, walk around a corner, and then suddenly BAM!!! A gigantic artwork of magnanimous proportions sitting right there! The night we got to Florence we went to a karaoke bar after dinner at the hostel (and possibly a few too many drinks, but hey at least I wasn't drinking from a BUCKET like some people were haha) and I got up to do "all about that bass" and then proceeded to drink way too much (as I do sometimes). A great night out in Florence though, and I can at least say that I've been up on stage in another country and it wasn't too bad of a show if I do say so myself hahaha. 

(21/6/15) The next morning we did a walking tour of Florence - bridges, buildings, history... It's a beautiful place, with so much to see. I tried my best not to seem too hungover (the leather demonstration was one thing I skipped - for fear of losing my breakfast hearing about how they make it). After the walking tour Michael and I split off from the group and went to get some lunch. Queue THE BEST PASTA IVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! Honestly, it was a simple ravioli with mushrooms, but this dish was STUNNING! Unforgettable, and a great start to the many pasta dishes still to be eaten here in Italy! 

After lunch we were back on the bus and driving to ROME! Another amazing place which I will surely never forget! We did a tour of the city, walking down streets, seeing musicians, some amazing historical places, and ticking some more things off the bucket list (the Colloseum being one of them!) I tell you what, we were very tired by the end of the day, but it was good to have some delicious spaghetti and carbonara and the head back to the hostel/campsite. We even braved the metro and succeeded (starting off an acapella version of our "wake up song" on the stop before we got off just to make sure everyone knew we were leaving - I'm sure the other train passengers thought we were drunk, but we were just delirious with Italian happiness and also very, very exhausted haha). 

(22/6/15) this morning we were all up super early to head off to the Vatican. Wow. Talk about art/culture/history OVERLOAD! We had an excellent guide show us around and even point out some of the amazing ways in which Michelangelo "stuck it to the man" secretly in his beautiful artwork for the pope, which I found particularly funny. It was a sensational morning. After that, we caught the train BY OURSELVES into the city centre of Rome again and had some yummy lunch, followed by even YUMMIER gelato. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm soooo delicious. Much walking around after that, trying to make up for the extra calories consumed, and then we made our way back to the hostel via the train and the bus. We have certainly conquered Italian Public Transport haha. 

The hostel here in Rome has an AWESOME pool and spa, right next to the bar, so this afternoon was a few hours of swimming and sun baking whilst our washing was on in the laundry. Ahhhhh this is the life. Can't really say I'm missing home too much at the moment, sorry guys, haha. Tonight we are having a TOGA PARTY, and then tomorrow we are off to Venice! xo