Florence - Sore legs, Rainy weather & loving it
Trip Start
Apr 25, 2010
1
10
21
Trip End
May 18, 2010
Where I stayed
Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
We woke to see a very wet and rainy day in beautiful Florence, not a great day to do a walking tour. We had packed our spray jackets, so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem and the hotel will have umbrellas, so all’s good. Again it was another rushed breaky and we then walked down to the Ponte Vecchio to meet the tour. It turned out to be a good sized group of 12, thank goodness because all those umbrellas made it a bit difficult trying to pass pedestrians in the narrow streets.
Our tour guide Angelo, was very passionate about his city and was a well of fascinating information about the history and buildings. He explained how the Medici family had the power and the buildings they built and why. He then took us into the Duomo, which had the most amazing fresco that was so high up. From there we went to a Gelato shop where we were all given a wonderful treat of our choice of ice cream. Then onto see David, or Davviiid as Angelo called him. Wow, this guy is huge and you just stare in amazement, David that is not Angelo. We hear how Michelangelo sculpted this 3 metre statue when he was in his early 20’s. He found a cast off piece of marble that was rejected by other sculptors, so he got it for free. They didn’t want to use the marble due to the veins of grey going through it. Also consider to be a weaker piece of stone.
From there our tour ended after 3 hours and our legs were killing us. We walked back to our hotel for a quick rest and by the time we were due to go out again, my legs had seized up. Wendy had recommended the Pitti palace, which was occupied by the Medici family way back when. So we had a couple of hours before it closed, so off we went. Now if I had known all the steps and hills involved in seeing this palace, there is no way I would of gone. Wendy we love you for the recommendation but our legs didn’t. When then limped back to the hotel, totally exhausted but of course on the way we pass leather markets, so I become invigorated again (only for a short burst though).
Dinner was in a lovely restaurant, where entree consisted of ravioli with walnut and cream and sauce. It was sensational. Mains were some chicken dish for Andrew and I had veal. We also orders some asparagus with parmesan cheese and potatoes. All washed down with a bottle of Rose. Then back to bed for our final night’s sleep in Florence. Tomorrow we head to Roma.
Oh and do you believe it, today my prescription sunglasses broke? So now I don’t have any bloody glasses. Same problem, the arm snapped off in the exact same spot as the normal glasses. Why they both break when I am overseas, I don’t know but it’s a real pain.
Two more things we are busy watching;
1. Volcano and flight disruptions again
2. Greece and the problems they are having with protests over their financial crisis. We will arrive there on Saturday, so just hope it doesn’t turn nasty.
Comments
stay away from the greek dramas and the food as always looks delish! I think you should head to Phuket about the 1 st of June and get some more glasses - very cheap madaaammmmm! heheheheheh! I just happen to know you will meet some people there ya know!!!