Fanning ourselves in Florence, Italy

Gorgeous Florence

We stayed four nights and three days in Firenze, the terra-cotta Tuscan capital and birth place of the Renaissance. One of Italy's most beautiful cities, with old-capital streets tell tales thousands of years old, whispering secrets in the breezes that creep down the cobbled roads and where tourists come to share in the romantic sunsets over the silent Abro river, admire the gothic buildings, churches and world class art. 

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria

Famous statues outside Uffizi

Neptune, Piazza della Signoria

Chilling out, Ponte Vecchio

Interesting relationship, Palazzo Vecchio 

Outdoor Museum, Piazza della Signoria

With a compact historic centre and something around every bend we spent hours and hours just looking about. On our first day after a huge fresh breakfast prepared by little old Italian Mima, we cycled from our airbnb appreciating the cool morning air. Down along the river we rode, whizzing past towering residences and over the bridges, the path constantly changing from one side of the road to the other. We locked up our bikes by the Ponte Vecchio and begun walking around, there were so many things to see. Statues, under porticos and balancing over doors, windows and from roofs had us straining left and right. We entered the city from the uffizi gallery with huge marbles statues of scholars and artists looking down on us. At the end of the cobbled alley, we entered the Piazza della Signoria and saw our fist Michelangelo David replica. It was so exciting! 

Early morning views of the Fiume Arno

However, the grandest of all, the citys' Duomo, stands in the centre like the queen bee and can almost be seen from everywhere. People snaked all around waiting at different doors for a chance to enter or to climb it's tower. 

Check that white spot! 

Back-facing facade

We explored its base looking for the infamous white marble spot. Historically the building of the Duomo took 170years and was finally completed in 1469 when a large copper ball was placed on top of the Brunelleschi's dome. 

Then, during a huge storm in the 1600's lightening struck the ball and it rolled down smashing on the ground below, symbolised by the white spot. This little known fact was like a secret as hundreds of people walked past us and while we tried to get a photo not one stopped to look at the circle. 

Piazza Santa Croce

Exploring the San Lorenzo leather markets

From there we scrutinised the area absorbing ourselves in the fresh smells of pizza and soft leathers. Walking through the leather markets in San Lorenzo and passed the Basilica Di Santa Maria Novella and all the way across town to the Basilica di Santa Croce we walked! We returned to the central market just as they were closing for the afternoon and picked up some fresh pasta for our dinner later.

Views over the city

We returned to the bikes and crossed over the Trinity bridge, cycling up towards the Giardino di Boboli. Getting a little off-course looking to get to the San Niccolio lookout we had to turn around and cycle back to the river. Leaving our bikes at the bottom we ascended the hill and admired the view! Here John bought a Borsalino replicate hat, which looks mighty fine on him!

Enjoying a spritz (or two)

On the way back down we stopped for a spritz and bruschetta. Our first taste of the Classic Italian appertivo, we initially found it strongly bitter tasting, but with a further few swigs it appeared sweeter. Certainly an acquired taste. The bruschetta we gave a solid 8/10.

Gelato from La Carraia

Naughty! Second helpings!

That evening, on sunset we cycled down by the Arno seeking the highly recommended geleteria 'La Carraia'. We bought huge gelatos, with a choice of two massive scoops for 2€. Kara had the cottage cheese and pear and the cheesecake cream and John had the 'symphony of flavours' and the pistachio with white chocolate. It was so creamy, wet and scrumptious that even though we were full we went back for a second gelato! 

Cooking fresh pasta on a rainy day

This time John had the chocolate hazelnut and the caffe and Kara had the slightly opposing salted peanut and creme caramel. 
We could have quite happily set up camp outside the shop, with over 30 artisanal flavours to choose from it was only the immense sickly sugar rush that stopped us going back for a third or fourth cup.

Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (aka. Duomo)

What we loved about Florence as it reminded us of home with it's unpredictable weather. Gloriously sunny one minute and then thunderously pelting with rain. On our third day in the city we got terribly drenched by rain drops that were bigger than the size of an orange and moments later the sun was out and there was nothing but blue sky. It was a great day to stay in and cook pasta! What we really didn't like about Florence was the sneaky, hungry ferocious tiger mosquitos that were everywhere! 

Front of Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

Seemingly invisible, these little blood suckers enjoy all the popular tourist sights as much, if not more, than the people visiting them. Next time we return, we'll bring repellant with us!

Tot siens,

John and Kara