A day trip to Florence always starts and ends at Santa Maria Novella. Mostly because it is the first main attraction one comes across when coming from the bus or train station. The beauty of the building will quickly have one forgetting they are just on the other side of a train station and an Italian McDonalds.
Due to it's bright white and green marble shining in the sun, it is hard to miss. The church sits serenely in the courtyard and walking up to the church it is easy to forget the hustle and bustle of Florence is just one street away.
The Beauty of Florence - The Duomo!
Florence old town is a maze of narrow streets that is normally full of pedestrians. The main attraction is the Duomo. The dome can be seen from almost area of Florence. Knowing this, you expect the Duomo to be big. Big is an understatement! Following the street map, we knew we were getting closer to where the Duomo should be. Then you turn a corner at the end of a block and WHAM! It is right in front of you towering above.
The colors, the details, the size... pictures just don't do it justice. We have been to Florence three times and each time, the Duomo amazes me.
Unfortunately, not everything in Florence is pretty....
Palazzo Vecchio - a Town Hall like no other
Back in the days of the Medicis as well as today this building is the town hall for Florence. During the Medici reign the famous statue of David stood outside. Today the real statue is in the Academia, but a replica still greets those walking by.
The inside courtyard is free to wonder in and tickets can also be purchased to tour the upper levels of the building.
The building sits on a corner of the Piazza della Signoria. The Piazza is a great place to people watch, catch a bite to eat, or walk through the statues located along the right side of the piazza.
This piazza also is home to one of my favorite Florence Gelato stops.
Ponte Vecchio - The Bridge of Love
This bridge has been standing since 1345. It even survived the Nazis in WWII. During the Renaissance it served as a fish and meat market until the Medici family decided it would be a great way to move between their palaces on each side of the river. They created a walk way at the top and made the fish and meat move out and the gold and jewels moved in.
Jamie actually had two locks for us to attach during our trip. One is designed with the Seattle Seahawks colors and 12th man. He also purchased a lock on line that had our names, the dates of trip and hearts. The one he purchased I thought was just to pretty to leave on a fence, so that one came back home with us. The 12 stayed though :)
It was a hot day in Florence, after walking around a bit, it was time to cool down. No better place to cool down then Harry's Bar. Harry's is a famous bar with locations in Venice and Florence. Harry's is known for creating the Bellini. I have to say... they do make a darn fine Bellini!
After walking the streets a little more refueled on Harry's Bellinis we worked up an appetite for lunch. Traveling one of the back streets by Ferragamo's flag ship store we stumbled across Antica Osteria. The few tables outside were full and the menu was hand written on chalk boards and butcher paper. That is always a good sign!
Since the outside was all full (and it was still hot!) we ate inside. You had to walk a short narrow stair case to get to the tables but it was right off the kitchen so you could watch your food being prepared while you munched on fresh bread, olive oil, and balsamic.
The food was outstanding! Definitely a place to remember and comeback to again.
Back at the Beginning - Santa Maria Novella
Go to 6/2/15
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