Italy-The Second Post

So I have too many pictures to share to just do one post on Italy. We took a day trip from Rome to Florence with Laura and Angela. I really really liked Florence, and I definitely want to go back because I didn't get to see everything I wanted to! This is the Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiore. Simply amazing.

It just happened to be pouring down rain when we got to Florence. Luckily, the weather cooperated later on in the day.

Piazza della Signoria.

Beautiful Florence...

...makes beautiful gelato! :) Seriously, doesn't this look just so tasty?!

This is the famous Ponte Vecchio. It is an ancient bridge that now few people live on, and also some shops reside on the bridge as well.

Devan chatting with Laura and Angela.

Taking a break from walking around :)

And toward the end of the day Devan and I went back to the Cathedral to walk around it. It was closed by this time, but next time I'd love to go inside and also go up the bell tower. You can see the famous duomo in this picture, as well.

The next day was church, and Laura and Giancarlo were kind enough to drive us to church in Rome. And we were able to meet up with Sarah and Ty!! Our friends who got married on the same day as us also came to Europe during the same timeframe as us. So fun to see them!

After church we went to go see the Rome temple. A work in progress still, but we hope to go back and do a session there when it's open.

We also went to see family for one last time before Devan and I left Rome. So fun to hang out with everyone one last time.

Carlos's kids made a card for our baby :)

We then took the train up to Venice for an overnight there. I'm really glad we stopped there. It is a beautiful city-SO many tourists, but very fun to just wander around and get lost there. We stayed at a little bed and breakfast while we were there. Super cute gardens and little patio. It would've been nice to stay an extra night there, but we had only so much time :)

One of the many bridges over the canals in Venice. It's so crazy to commute everywhere by boat!

This was in the Piazza de San Marco, and of course the main feature is the Basilica de San Marco. I will never get over how ornate and amazing the architecture is in Italy.

Part of the Grand Canal.

Baby bump! I'm 4 months pregnant at this time.

Some love locks

I just really love this picture :) This is the famous Ponte di Rialto. It is quite the scenic bridge.

I really love this grin of his :)

This is part of the Galleria dell'Academie.

I always told myself that if I got to Venice I would surely do a gondola ride. But at 80 euros/person, I decided that $200 for a ride for an hour was not worth it. Still fun to watch the gondoliers in action, though!

We finished our day taking a walk from our B&B to a Venetian beach for sunset. Not too many people on the beach in May, which was perfect. So nice to get away from all the people!

Oh. And of course we found a pastry shop. Because what trip to Europe is complete without eating delicious pastries? :) Somehow Devan has more self control when it comes to sweets. I, however, can try to blame it on the pregnancy, but let's be honest, I like chocolate! ;)

 

Loved our time in Italy! But it was time to hit some other countries in Europe!!