Favorite memory of Florence

Going up to Fiesole on a sunny day. Even though this was in March of 1989, it remains one of my best travel memories.

I love Florence, all of it, but if pressed I would say my favorite memory is climbing the campanile (Giotto's bell tower). 414 stairs and a couple of times I wasn't sure I was going to make it, but I did and it was so worth it. We only had enough time to climb one, either the dome or the bell tower. Most of our group chose the dome but we chose the bell tower because the line was shorter. The views of the city and the Duomo and especially the dome, from the tower were spectacular, still one of my all time favorite travel photos.

Listening and walking along the "Renaissance Walk" RS tour on my iPod. Everytime I re-listen to it I'm back there -- even if I'm on the treadmill.

Standing on the Ponte Vecchio in the morning watching the rowers.

Piazzale Michelangelo just before and during sunset! The views of the city and bridges were gorgeous! We took the bus up which was even enjoyable then walked down......Wonderful peeks into homes/apartments of residents enjoying their dinner. We did this on our last evening so it pulled the entire 6 night stay together!

I thoroughly enjoyed the hour or so I spent in the Boboli Gardens. Very pleasant and quiet, with nice views of Florence. And I will never forget seeing Michelangelo's David for the first time in the Accademia.

Also, gelato.

I second Nancy. On our very first trip to Europe we climbed the tower. When looking out from the top, my mind said, "This looks like Europe." It then said, "Pinch yourself; you ARE in Europe." The photo I took from the top I kept on my office wall to remind me why I was working! On a later trip, across the Arno, we especially enjoyed wine at Bevo Vino and dinner at Enoteca Bar Fuori Porta. Have fun!

What Harold said.
Also, seeing The David for the first time. I'd seen it a hundred times in photos, but when I first walked up to it, that's when I really understood something about the term "genius."

Two months into our four month long trip to Europe with students, after numerous visits to cathedrals and basicilas, we approached Florence after a long coach ride from Rome via Siena. As the bus curved down from the last hill into the city the 45 students gasped then broke out in applause as they spotted the dome in the late evening rays of sunshine. It gave me goose bumps to think that they could still be so moved by the site of a church and its relationship to the surrounding city after seeing so many!

Seeing The David was the highlight for me. It was one of the first experiences where I felt "moved" by art (I thought it was an urban legend before) and I was quite surprised.

Seeing da Vinci's Vitruvian Man sketch on our special da Vinci tour.

Nothing can prepare you from being face to face with that!

My first visit to Florence was in the fall of 2003. Still using a film camera so not too many photos and no video either (despite bringing a MiniDV camcorder). I remember eating very, very good gelato at a place recommended in RS book. Also, incredibly loud garbage trucks in the morning down on the street right below my hotel window. I remember specifically thinking to myself lying there in bed, that these guys sounded like they were purposely kicking the garbage cans up and down the street, against buildings, against the garbage truck, to each other, and at anything else in the way. It was ridiculous how loud it was. Granted, here we are 12 years later and even irritating moments like that eventually become somewhat endearing memories.

Seeing the Duomo for the first time, it's absolutely breathtaking. I also loved the day spent walking in the Bolboli gardens, its was a beautiful change from all the museums we had been seeing for the past week.