A fun day in Florence

Tuesday  

13 August 

Day 44

52 to go

We had a very lazy start to our day today. With it finally cool enough to sleep, we stayed in bed until almost 9am. We then spent the next hour pfaffing about over breakfast and getting our selves ready for our morning.

The first stop was the train station to exchange the only confirmation for tickets. We found an easy way to return with our bags on Thursday, before finding the ticket office. We tried one person,who directed us to the main booths, but when our number was called, the officer was absolutely no help at all, saying I needed to get them off the website. In the end, after fighting with the Internet, I elected to just buy new tickets, which was a far easier process. I did try to cancel the online ones later on, but they were non refundable. 

We returned to the streets for our morning wander. It was pretty hot already. We took in the sights of the streets, heading in a general direction, but no where in particular. We found the old fort, Fortezza Da Bazzo, checking out the wall and rotunda. We then walked in the direction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore. 

There was no missing it, as its giant terracotta tiled dome can be seen in glimpses from many angles. We passed by Museo Di San Marco and the Piazza SS Annunziata, checking out the facades and sculptures before finally entering the piazza housing the Cathedral.

As expected, the crowds were writhing and you had to pick your gaps to move around. We completed almost the entire boundary, seeing the many domes and the tall tower, for which there was a snaking line in the sun to go in, No thanks, and the Batistero di San Giovanni. 

Reaching our limit, we walked beyond the Piazza Della Republica and found a little pizzeria bar hidden behind the buildings and in the shade, a little oasis to take stock and enjoy a drink. It was after midday now and we needed a rest stop. 

Once revived, we continued our walk, heading in the direction of home. We passed under the Arco Dei Triunfo at the end of Piazza Della Republica and then along the front of Basilica de Santa Maria. We stopped for sandwiches at the Pam supermarket and then were home just after 1pm. Tired and hot and glad for the cool blast of the air con. 

We ate lunch, while surfing the net. I rang mum and dad in Singapore. They were enjoying their final dinner, before their flight home tomorrow. I then started on the photos, sorting the last few days, while Paul had a rest. 

It was 430pm, before we made much of a move, finally getting ourselves sorted to go out once again. We returned to the river, going over the nearest bridge to the other bank. We watched locals fishing in the river below, before making our way to the city wall. We followed this for a stretch, finding a massive gate and beyond that, a brew pub. 

We made our way inside, checked the menu, ordered drinks and then decided to share dinner. Steak is a specialty in Florence, so that is what we ordered, with a salad and roast potatoes. It was a fabulous choice. 

Well sated, we were glad for the opportunity to walk off the dinner. We made our way in the direction of the Ponte Vecchio, crossing the bridge before it, to take in the views of the bridge, river and the gondolas. There were plenty of other tourists doing the same. 

We continued on beyond the Ponte Vecchio, under an arched walkway and on to the next bridge. From here you had a great view, as the sun was beginning to set and send out golden colour. On the hill, there were many people gathered to see Florence from above. We will do the trek to Piazza Michelangelo tomorrow.

We then made our way into the town, following narrow streets, until we reached Piazza Della Signoria and the famed copy of the David sculpture. There are also many other impressive works of art and the Fontana del Nettuno. The Palazzo Vecchio takes pride and place at one end, an imposing 13th century palace. 

From here, we made a slow return to home, stopping for a gelato along the way. We were back home just after 8.30pm. A great evening out. 

We enjoyed the next hour, chilling. We put the washing on, but wondered if it was actually on correctly, as it was making a hell of a racquet. Paul eventually stopped it and we hung the clothes out wet. Then it was time for bed.