Florence! Day 2 (cont'd)

After the Uffizi, we go back to the Duomo.  Brunelleschi's double-shell dome kick-started Renaissance architecture.   

Then we see the famous bronze doors of the Bapistry.  Michelangelo was so moved by the gilded panels, he said they would, "grace the very gates of Paradise," and the name stuck.

Our self-guided walking tour takes us to the oldest building in Florence.  This tower dates from the ninth century, Torre Biazntina della Pagliuzza.

Quinn decides she wants to climb to the top of the Campanile, the bell tower for the Cathedral.  There are no other takers, so she & mom buy tickets & start climbing.  We will meet up with the other 3 at San Lorenzo Market.

We have no idea what we're in for at this point.

This is about 2/3 up, and I'm good.

Nice views, what more do we need?  It's a hot day, after all.

Nope, the little tiger is not satisfied.  So we climb the last 1/3.  The stairs get really narrow.  Good thing Quinn did not inherit the fear of heights and claustrophobia :)

We did it!

Quinn insists on a picture of the spire on top, "to prove we climbed all the way up."

Tiger on top

We meet up with the rest of the fam and Avery managed to score a new pair of shades.  We grab our roller bags & head to the train station.  Heading to Cinque Terre!  She's gonna need those shades!!!

Can't wait for the week of "vacation from our vacation!"  To The Beach!!!