City Portrait from the Sky

Firenze - from Brunelleschi's Dome of Florence. Climbing in total of 463 steps each way, with a heavy backpack of one full bottle of water, two guidebooks, and etc. Closer to the top, it becomes one way traffic, the spiral stairs shoot one way up in little light, turning round and round endlessly, giving similar effect of being in a moving vehicle and makes me nauseous. In giving right of way to downward traffic, some area has only a tip toe space to stand on. I grab onto the iron bar along the wall, that is at times greasy and dirty. The vista over Florence is breathtaking, well worth over 900 steps of heavy panting and sore legs the second day.

Paris - from Notre Dame Cathedral. About 400 steps each way but it is much easier w/o a heavy backpack. I notice how different the colors are from Tuscany. Paris has its unique curved buildings with charcoal grey rooftop. It's a foggy day so we really cannot clearly see the Eiffel Tower. The Seine runs calmly through. The greenery by the water gives the city a special charm. I absolutely adore the gargoyles! This is one of my favorite climbs.

Muchen- from the top of Munich's oldest Church, the St. Peter's Church, which overlooks Marienplatz. A total of about 300 steps each way on wooden stairs, much wider than those of the Duomo and the Notre Dame. There is even a bench for you to sit down midway should your heart and feet desire. This city is so colorful, there is no other place that resembles more like the land of a perfect fairy tale.

Praha - from the Old Town Hall at the Old Town Square (Staromestske Namesti). Beautiful 360 degree view of Prague in sunset and most surprisingly no leg work. The Town Hall has an elevator and it's the only way for the public to go up. In my opinion Prague has the most elegant buildings and interesting skyline.