Photos by Shivali Halabe, (Cornell University), Student Correspondent CET Florence Spring 2022
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I spent my first few days in Florence exploring the city, and I had to capture this scene over the River Arno! I cross the far-off bridge, Ponte alle Grazie, on my way to class.
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CET organized a field trip to Castello di Verrazzano, a winery in Greve in Chianti. We tasted four different wines over a delicious homemade lunch.
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My roommate Lexi and I climbed 463 steps to reach the top of the Duomo before sunset!
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The Duomo is 114 meters tall. Its lookout offers a bird’s eye view of Florence, centered around Giotto’s Bell Tower.
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My apartment is very close to Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s town hall. Its entrance has Austrian frescoes on the walls and the Putto the Dolphin statue in the center.
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My friends and I love visiting local markets and admiring the beautiful displays. We saw many colorful leather goods at Loggia del Mercato Nuovo last weekend.
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I visited the Uffizi Gallery, and I was mesmerized by the dramatic poses of the sculptures in the Niobe Room.
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While walking to the gym, I pass through the Piazza della Signoria, where the Fountain of Neptune is located. This piece was originally commissioned by the Medicis.
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The best place for a Florentine sunset picnic is the Piazzale Michelangelo! You have to brave a lot of stairs, but the sights are definitely worth it.
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I took a day trip to San Gimignano, where my roommate Valeria and I climbed the 54 meter tall Torre Grossa for this view of Tuscany’s landscapes.