Tuesday May 21, Visiting Florence

A part of the magnificent marble Doumo

We have had a great day, another wonderful Italian experience. It rained for much of the night but by seven it stopped although very grey and the view in front of us was clouded in. We arranged a ride to the train at 8.30 this morning with Daniella and our French “neighbours” came too. Daniella is such a happy person and this service is ideal. Bought our tickets and within 10 minutes we were on the train to Florence, although it was standing room only.

Thirty minutes later and we arrived at the central station in Florence, right in the heart of the old city. The weather was very grey and dismal but it wasn’t raining. First stop was to find a map of Florence, we had no idea where everything was although I had been doing some online research. With map in hand we started walking and before long we arrived at the Doumo, Florence’s very famous building with its marble façade really had us in awe, and it is huge. There is a free entry into the building but the queue stretched over 3 blocks and was barely moving…..we flagged that! Had heard about the great indoor market and were looking forward to a coffee. Couldn’t find it on my map but on google maps found a market so we set off, and we walked for ages through some rather grey and dismal streets really wondering what all the fuss about Florence was for. Found a market, a great fruit and vegie place that was humming, but realised we had walked well out of our way and this wasn’t the one. By this stage we were both feeling very peckish as we headed off again and finally found the market, actually not far from the Duomo. It was almost midday and found some fabulous food stalls with everything you could ever want. Bought some food and found a table and it was good, followed by some excellent Italian coffee. After a good rest and feeling much better we headed off again and by now the sky was blue and the sun was shining.

The city was humming with tourists everywhere and surprised to hear so many American accents. Shops selling leather are everywhere along with all the upmarket stores you can imagine. Wonderful time window shopping. We found the great plaza’s, the wonderful statues and museums and just kept walking and walking. Crossed the Vecchio Bridge with all its jewellery stores and wandered around on the other side of the Arno River. And when the legs had enough we stopped at a bar and had an Aperol Spritzer and made it last as we watched the world go by. This is a city of scooters, which zip around the narrow one way streets avoiding pedestrians who can’t fit on the pavements and then there are the taxis and delivery vans also trying to get around. Great to sit and watch when you don’t have to drive in it. And everywhere there are places to eat and enjoy Italian food.

By six o’clock we had found our way back to the railway station, and a seat on the train to Empoli where I messaged Daniella who came and collected us and by seven o’clock we were back in Ruakiwi with our feet up reflecting on a great day, made much better with the sun shining.

A few quick photos tonight, ended up having a few wines with some of the neighbours.

A small park for scooters

At the market

Food hall

A happy girl taking selfies
on the merry go round!

Street art.

Anyone for gelato

David

A very modern reflective sculpture...

....loved the reflections.

A photographer getting a "low down" on the Vecchio Bridge

Having to repair the chain on a busy street!

Window shop reflections.

The Doumo...again!