Vacation Time

I love traveling to other countries. This summer, I visited Tuscany. There’s something magical about staying in a medieval tower overlooking a cathedral dome that was built in the 1400s. That, and enjoying a glass of red wine on the rooftop terrace as the full moon rose over Piazzale Michelangelo, made this trip truly memorable.

Florence has so many great sights. The museums are extraordinary. A visit to the Leonardo da Vinci Museum let me not just see exhibits, but play with interactive, hands-on models. I could have spent days in the Uffizi Galleries, but alas, we only had a morning. Then we traveled along the Vasari Corridor, an elevated passageway the Medici family used to connect their residence (palace) with the government headquarters. And, of course, the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's famous statue of David. I never realized how massive it was.

We also visited surrounding areas of Lucca, San Gimignano, Siena, and Arezzo. Not only did we get great tours on the historical significance of each village, but we also experienced the hospitality of local wineries.

Coming from the engineering industry, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to climb Brunelleschi’s Dome. He took his architectural plans to his grave, so his building method was never fully understood, but it stands today as a testament to ingenuity. After ascending four hundred sixty-three stairs, I stepped onto a viewing platform with a panoramic view of Florence. Not a bad way to burn off those calories from all the great food.

As great as it was to experience so many new places, the best part of the trip was enjoying it with great friends. I made daily videos to record all the places so I could share them on social media, but the memories etched in my brain will remind me that treasured friendships last forever.