Experiencing Florence for the first time, I immediately felt an attraction that made me feel at home. Florence and it’s winding streets and beautiful airy Santa Maria Duomo looming in the skyline make every moment breathless and exciting. Being the “center of Italy,” Florence’s charm lies in its ubiquitous bread and one of the oldest bridges built in the Roman ages, and spared by Nazi bombers because it was “too beautiful” to destroy. Florence is a promising city that guarantees many long days filled with gelato and enjoyable wandering, and sleepless nights overflowing with starry skies and balmy walks around town during the regularly scheduled passeggiata.

Most of my experiences thus far in Florence have been full of enjoyment amongst the company and laughter of my fellow classmates. Living here for just four days, my perspective on travel has been altered in the best of ways.

The architecture and artwork in Florence is phenomenal and never ceases to take my breath away. I was thrilled to visit the Uffitzi and ‘Accademia galleries, and these were the places that I spent most of my time. Galleria degli Uffizi had many works that conveyed the true meaning of the Renaissance period like Sandro Botticelli. Particularly his painting entitled The Birth of Venus which was the first major painting on canvas, but more importantly was one of the first paintings that conveyed a real sense of female sensuality that was not common in late fourteenth century paintings.

Galleria dell ‘Academia was probably one of my most favorite places out of all the destinations that I have visited in Italy so far. Seeing Michelangelo’s David was a pivotal moment in my time in Florence and I feel a greater appreciation for the Renaissance and it’s many wonderful pieces of art. The sheer beauty and awe of David completely threw me off balance and made my soul feel a lightness that is indescribable. I cannot even begin to imagine how Michelangelo created David in just about two years with such perfection and artistry, from one piece of solid marble. Not to mention the sculpted muscles, pulling tendons, and smooth life-like skin that create a god-like aura, David is a symbol of lightness and the beauty of the human body that should never be overlooked or challenged. I am thankful that I got to witness these beautiful works, as they have allowed me to see the past from a completely new perspective–all while appreciating everything that present day Firenze has to offer.