A day out in Firenze (Florence)

We started out our Sunday in Pisa, see previous post....then we made our way to Firenze by bus. Our bus dropped us off about 10 minutes from Piazza Santa Croce. This Piazza is important and its church houses the tomb of the legendary Michelangelo. Poor photo...sorry

We then started walking towards Piazza della Signoria. We had lunch there, just like we did on our last time here in 2008.

It was very hot so it was nice to sit in the shade.

Trevor had to try the Penne all'arrabbiata and he was quite pleased with his meal. Michael enjoyed some nice spaghetti and I had to try the pizza, I love Italian pizza so this is the opportunity to eat it whilst we are here.

This alley is the access point to the Uffizi gallery that houses some of the most famous paintings in the world.

We did not go in, the line was so long....easily a 2 hour wait in line in the heat....not today thanks.

After lunch we headed off to Piazza del Duomo. It was very hot so it was a bit tough but we persevered.

The Duomo is magnificent every time you see it. I have been here many times and each time I am in awe of the masterpieces that continue to survive from the Renaissance.

Hard to get the whole cathedral in the photo it's so big!

Here is the baptistery....

There were so many people here....

We then continued on foot to the Ponte Vecchio, the bridge that crosses the river Arno, famous for all the jewellery stores. 

When the rich Medici family moved close to the bridge they evicted all the butchers and fishmongers and grocers from the bridge as they didn't like the smell wafting over to their posh residence and they then only allowed jewellers to have shops on the bridge and this is how it has remained until today from the Renaissance.

On our walk we enjoyed a gelato, we had to be quick to eat it before it melted!!

Yum 

By this time we were very hot and tired and we started to make our way back to the meeting point where our guide was meeting us to start our return trip.

At the meeting point we visited a little leather store, Firenze is famous for leather goods. Michael convinced me to buy him a leather jacket and it was really nice so we bought it.

We then got on our bus and headed back to the ship.

Overall a productive day:

Visit to Pisa ✅

Lunch in Flrenze ✅

Gelato ✅

Bought Leather jacket ✅

Walked 12.6 km ✅

Good day on all accounts!!