I saw Brad Pitt!

No I did't. That's a complete and utter lie. I did, however, tromp around Nice and Cannes yesterday, and he has been in both places, most recently Cannes for the film festival that takes place there every May. The Palais de Festival isn't actually an impressive place during the rest of the year, and was a bit disappointing, but the ocean views on the train to Nice from Cannes were second to none and swimming in the Mediterrenean (spell check is in Italian so I don't know if that's correct) sea was stupendous. The day was 36 degrees celsius in the shade with a few wispy clouds in the sky, and it was perfect.
In the evening we went to Monte Carlo to rub elbows with the rich and famous (not) and I enjoyed the classy atmosphere and excellent cars. Walking down avenues full of shops where a handbag costs 2,500€ changes your perspective on things a bit, that's for sure. Monaco is a gorgeous principality that seems to be very well cared for and definitely well-loved by its occupants (the number of million-€ yachts in the harbour attest to that); it's also very romantic, as Nathan and Amy, a couple on my tour, discovered. After pretending to be ill all day in order to avoid Amy, Nathan proposed to her that evening during a romantic evening walk. YAY! And Tim, another guy on the tour, won 250€ in the Grand Casino. Woohoo!
Today we woke up early (goodbye, double bed) and drove through rain and intense traffic to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower. On the way there we stopped at a crazy gas station rest stop for bathrooms and lunch; I had my first piece of authentic Italian pizza, just plain old cheese, and it was delicious! It also happened to be a quarter of a pizza, so I was well-satisfied until we got to Firenze (Florence), though I did have some gelato at Pisa. It was incredibly hot there! I had to have something to cool me down :P
Now we're here in Florence, staying at a very nice campsite just outside of town, and even though it poured on us half an hour before we were due to get back on the coach to go out for the evening (which included a group photo so we were all dressed up), I'm having a great time. We enjoyed a delicious Tuscan-style dinner, complete with limoncello shots at the end as a digestif (I had 4, woops!) and now everyone else is down the street living it up in a very hot and crowded karaoke bar. I had a bellini and sang along for a while and then decided I would come out to cool down and write this lovely recap for you guys. Be grateful! I also spoke to Mom for the first time since London. Love you, Mommy.
My friend Melissa and I have to go meet our tour guide, Sion (pronounced Sean), so she can walk us back to the coach so we can go back to the campsite. A jaunt around Florence tomorrow morning, and then Rome tomorrow afternoon!

Ciao, bellas!

- Laur