Florence 1

My first meal in Florence.  It was so good...  I mean I was super hungry, which helped I'm sure, but this place was rated as the #1 place to eat in Florence on Trip Advisor!

Well, I've been back home now for almost a month, so I guess I ought to try to finish up this blog!  It helps that it's rainy and crappy in Vancouver right now and I've finally got some free time this weekend.  So...  this section is on Florence (Firenze).  I love this city.  I spent a few days here when I was Europe two years ago and enjoyed it so much I had to come back again this time.  So glad I did!

View of the Baptistery of St. John and the surroundings from Giotto's Campanile (the tower beside the Duomo)

 

The East doors of the Baptistery by Lorenzo Ghiberti.  Gorgeous, incredible detail, and always surrounded by tourists taking photos.

The Duomo - you have NO idea how huge this building is until you stand beside it.  One of THE iconic buildings in Europe, in my opinion.  Construction dates back to 1296! 

I love views like this!  If I was afraid of heights, I probably wouldn't lol

Wheeee!  Why can't all religious buildings be shaped like giant slides?  :D

What I did:

• September 12, 2012 - I arrived from Modena, Kelven arrived from London, we went to explore the city together, and ended up checking out the Duomo (including the tower beside it).
• September 13, 2012 - Ponte Vecchio Bridge, the Uffizi Museum, Piazza della Signoria, Michelangelo Square @ sunset.
• September 14, 2012 - Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Basilica of Santa Croce, Museo di San Marco.
• September 15, 2012 - Picked up our rental car and drove off for our Tuscan adventure (and shopping in Montevarchi).

Yeah...  you know those doors I posted a picture of above?  Totally replicas.  The originals are here in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.  As you can see, nobody crowded around taking photos.  People always seem to prefer fakes...  Though in Kelven's defence, the architecture here was pretty cool!

Highlights:

• Art - The artwork in Florence is stunning.  You can definitely feel the history and the culture in the city, especially dating back to the Renaissance.  The museums are world famous, but there's so much more than that - as you're walking around, you find yourself stopping and just staring at the architecture all over the city, bridges, street artists, artisans (ie, hand-made leather goods and other items), sculptures...  I could go on and on, so I'll stop and leave the rest to your imagination!
• Art - Yeah, I had to say it twice.  Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of other things to enjoy in Florence...  But the architecture and sculptures and artisans are literally all over the city.  You can't get away from it (not that you'd want to even if you could)!
• Gelato - My understanding is that Florence is the birthplace of gelato (though I'm sure this is not entirely free from controversy).  Wherever it came from, I can certainly say those Florentians have nailed this.  There's no better treat on a hot day than a gelato from Gelateria Santa Trinita.  Believe me, I had four scoops a day while I was here so I tested plenty of places, and this place was the best I've ever had in my life!

The "pimp" room in the Uffizi.  No, I don't think that's the official name...

Lowlights:

• Hahaha, time for another "Percy is an idiot" moment!  I originally intended to stay at the place that I stayed at last time I came here with Karvin and Peter.  However, I booked the wrong dates (in my defence, my plans changed a few times...  not that this is really a good excuse, lol) and this place wasn't able to accommodate because they were fully booked for the dates that we did intend to arrive.  I ended up booking another place that was pretty highly recommended on Hostelbookers, but the bathrooms weren't ensuite and the beds were shite, to put it mildly.  Sorry Kelven, mah bad!  :P

Ponte Vecchio

Can't Miss:  Art?  Yeah imma go with art...  though the gelato was REALLY REALLY good hahaha

 

Florentine steak - famous because it's ridiculously huge (minimum serving size was 1.6 kg or something).  The meat was good, but I guess Italians use a little less seasoning than I'm used to back home.