LeoDesi

If you go first thing in the morning you’ll wait about 20 minutes and roam freely through. Cover your feet (don’t wear sandals), knees, and shoulders or you will have to buy a wrap. No pictures and no talking aloud in the sistine chapel- they will yell at you. Read The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone before you go if you have a chance.

Definetely do the blue grotto and go up to Anacapri. Oh and have a Margherita pizza too.

The David is the best piece of art I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing. If you’re going to go to Florence, I always tell people to read The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone first – a book about Michaelangelo.

This museum is tucked away in a little alley in Barcelona- it’s so easy to miss. In the U.S. there would be tons of signs pointing the way. In Spain it is seriously just another amazing museum tucked away in the midst of the beautiful city. Worth seeing if you are in Spain n a Picasso fan. I love the paintings from the blue period and my favorite Picasso painting is there – The Piano.

gorgeous beach

My ears were killing me here so if you ever experience problems w altitude make sure u see a doctor before going to get pain meds just in case (but bring your prescription so you don’t have problems bringing meds) or take something so that they won’t hurt ahead of time. I’ve never had problems w that anywhere but I did here for some reason. There’s mosquitos too so bring some ointment just in case. But it’s so worth it. Make sure to eat some cheese since you’re near Switzerland you can taste the difference here from cities further south in Italy. This is a nice part of Italy to relax in.

Ok so I’m reading this lady say it isn’t worth it and I have to assume she is not familiar with the history behind it. If you simply go wait in line and see the David – you might not get everything from the experience. Go see other sculptures first, then see David and you will appreciate it more. We aren’t from a time that understands how to compare that to other works. My biggest tip I could possibly give anyone is to read The Agony and the Ecstatsy by Irving Stone before going to Florence. A tough start, but 1/4 into the book it’ll take off and become one of your favs. It will make Florence come to life. It follows the life of Michaelangelo in fictional format while stating the facts. When I saw the David, I knew the history of why that piece of marble was significant because it was said it couldn’t be carved into and how Michaelangelo won the commission in a contest and his desire to sculpt since he was a boy. Give yourself time for this city- there’s A LOT of art to look at. It changed me. It’s not boring art like a lot of museums, sorry but I’m not into tons of art but this is different.

I backpacked Italy n then stopped by Barcelona. There wasn’t a lot of good food there I got real hungry but then again I was used to Italy by then haha. The streets are a little wider than Italy n u actually see some cars that look like in the U.S. I stumbled upon the Picasso museum in the middle of an alley – yeah that’s how much art they have. It seemed more familiar to me than other places cuz I’m from Phoenix and so there’s alot latinos here n spanish is just less foreign here than other languages. I usually would never recommend this, but actually take a bus tour here. Barcelona is known for its architecture n you might miss some spots if you don’t. The Sagrada Familia is awesome.

I backpacked Italy and then cruised the Med, my eyes were not prepared for this city. I walked out of the train station n my eyes were on my bags they were giving me trouble, when I finally looked up- WOWWWWWWWWWW. I almost cried. My eyes actually watered- that’s never happened before or after just from the sight of a place. It is a place everyone should see. There is no need to spend a lot of time here though because it is small and there is not much to do. Time is better spent in Florence seeing all of the museums and priceless art. I’d say spend the most time in Florence, then Rome, then a day or two in Venice is plenty. I spent two days there n that was more than enough. Go see an opera there. Oh and get a good map to your hotel ahead of time. The city is like a maze and it is sooooo easy to get lost. Carrying bags up n down those bridges gets tough (especially when it’s raining haha).