Giardino delle Rose

On the way down from our San Miniato walk, Cassy and I noticed an open gate leading into the most beautiful giardino delle rose- or rose garden.  Apparently, the owners open up their garden every spring for about a month and let people roam through.  There were roses, lemons, artichokes, peppers, and my persona favorite, peonies all in bloom.  The place smelled so clean and fresh.  Cassy and I took a nice little romantic stroll through the roses, under arbors, and by fountains. The place is incredible because it looks over Florence and you can literally see Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) from this garden. I love flowers oh so much so this was such a great treat.  I am going to try to go back again before they close the gate.

San Miniato

Another little day excursion that FSU takes their students on is a walk to San Miniato, a church that over looks Florence.  Nero, one of the professors, gives a little history lesson about Florence in general and the church.  The church is one of the oldest in Florence and has been said to be one of the prettiest. The fresco's in the church are magnificent and the inside it pretty nice too.  I don't know if it's the prettiest church ever because it is large, quite, cold, and somewhat dark, but I can appreciate the amazing marble work and the beautiful ceilings.  There are still monks that live there and they chant before the mass on Sunday evening.  

In my opinion, the view of Florence is the best part.