Forever in Love with Florence
One falls in and out of love many times in life. But, there is one kind of love that never goes away - the forever love. Such is my love for Florence. As soon as I started seeing those rolling Tuscan hills on the drive to Florence, it brought back memories of movies like "Only you" and "Under the Tuscan Sun". Movies that made me want to visit this region in Italy one fine day.
The sun was setting and by the time we reached Florence it was dark and we needed to park our car in a garage. Florence has so much to see and do, yet the city is so compact that you can navigate it entirely on foot without ever using a car or public transport. One of the many reasons why I love Florence. Our car was tucked away in an underground car park and now all we needed was "A Room with a View."
We checked into our B&B and were extremely happy with our choice. It is by far the best place we stayed in Italy and one of our favorites out of all the B&B's we have ever stayed at. With its super convenient location, the spacious multi-level suite on the top floor of an elegant 19th century building, classic decor, and gorgeous views of the II Duomo di Firenze, all at a reasonable price (by Italian standards), there was nothing not to love! Highly recommended!!
Room with a view
B&B Residenza Dei Pucci, Florence
After unwinding for a bit, we head out for a walk around the duomo. It was a crisp weekend night in October and the city center was buzzing. We had a yummy homemade pasta and pizza dinner at this fantastic place called "Yellow Bar" not to far from the Cathedral. You could see the pasta being made fresh in front of your eyes, the service was super friendly, the atmosphere was lively, although the crowd seemed to be mostly tourists. It was a good find, bellies were full, and it was time to get a shut-eye.
We had a bright start to our day the next morning. Florence is a city brimmed with art everywhere, from its countless piazzas to its world-famous museums. You cannot help but admire the sculpture galore that Piazza del signoria is, or the intricate frescoes of Basilica of Santa Croce or the Gothic facade of the Duomo.
Piazza Santa Croce
Florence, Italy
Il Duomo di Firenze
We only had time to see one of the many museums of Florence, and of-course, it had to be the home of Michelangelo's David - Academia Gallery. If you are into Renaissance art then they say Uffizi is more for you, and if you are not pressed for time like us, then see both. Also, if you do not purchase tickets in advance online then be prepared to wait endlessly in lines twice (ticket window & entrance) as these museums are not huge and they only let a certain number of people in at a time. The original David (not the replica in Piazza del Signoria) inside the Academia is an impressive masterpiece to say the least. You do not have to be an art enthusiast to appreciate its grandeur and brilliance and you are really taken aback when you first see it.
David
Academia Gallery, Florence
After a very productive morning, we stumbled upon this tiny takeaway sort of Indo-Pak joint and the samosas looked too inviting to pass up on. The boys were ready for some down time so while they were resting for the afternoon, I decided to check out the nearby street markets. You can actually find some really nice stuff and have fun haggling over prices.
We had saved Piazza Michelangelo and its famous panoramic view of Florence for the evening. This is probably the only site that is outside the historic center and could possibly require you to take a cab or a bus. It was a nice 10 minute walk to Ponte Vecchio, the quaint arched bridge over the Arno river with all the little shops and art galleries. Another mile or so, or about a 20-25 minute walk from the bridge will get you to Piazza Michelangelo. The last 10 minute being some serious incline up the hill. The views aren't famed for nothing and were well worth the endeavor.
Florence from Piazza Michelangelo
These views followed by a hard-earned nice Florentine meal at Osteria De' Peccatoria with a lovely outdoor setting in a small piazza was the perfect ending to our Tuscan affair. This is it from a city that is close to my heart <3 and it is time to move onto one that is close to my husband's - the Italian capital, Roma.
