FABULOUS FLORENCE. Review on Florence

We were supposed to have a day and a half a day, (and three nights), in FLORENCE. Because of our long stay in Pisa we arrive here at 4 PM. Out hotel was a block off the Arno River and about a kilometer from the central Plazza. We didn't even go up to our hotel rooms when we arrived as we were told the shops were going to close in an hour.

FLORENCE:

Florence Tuscany is 50 m. above sea level. The Arno River runs through the center of the city. Chianti hills, (that we drove through) are in the south and the Fiesole hills, (that we drove though when we left), are in the north. Florence is not a large City and has a population of about 400,000.

THE FIRST NIGHT:

We visited as many stores as we could on two of the main streets. On the street that has a lot of vendors MM and I each bought designer suede sandals with a purse to match. We bought gloves for our Mothers and wallets for our Husbands. Our children each got a pair of designer sunglasses.

There are 3 that branch off from the central Piazza). The one were on had both International designers as well as well as famous local designers. Some of the stores we saw were Ferragamo, Gucci, Miu Miu and Prada. The shops were about to cloths when I found a local dress designer. I convinced her to keep her shop open and I bought a dress there, (that I saw in the Fall Vogue 1982 for thousands of dollars), that cost me $100.00 CAD. The Mexican-American sisters bought two suits each and the lady from Brazil bought one.

We didn't go back to the hotel for their beef or chicken dinner but stayed ate at the best pasta we had in Italy at the 'De'Medici' Restaurant. On the way back we saw a ‘Harry’s Bar’ around the corner from our hotel. We dropped in for one of the bars famous 'screwdriver'. Harry makes his 'screwdrivers' with peach juice.

DAY II:

We had a half-day tour scheduled for today. A local guide led the tour and 'Chico' waved good-bye to us as our Coach left.

We were driven to see the dome Catholic Duomo Cathedral. The nun that showed us the Cathedral told us it was build in 1294. The dome is 142 feet from the floor. She had us move back a few feet and look up because she wanted to feel the sensation of the dome falling down on us! Vasari painted the fresco, (that covers the entire dome), of the 'Last Judgment'. The walls are made from green, white and red marble, (the colors in the flag of Italy). We saw the beautiful stained glass windows that were designed by Ghiberti, a Saints bones incase in glass), a large clock, (designed by Paolo Uccelo), that has the heads of 4 Prophets and two memorials of the 'Mercenary Commanders. I counted every one of the 463 steps as we climbed, (gasping), to the top. I climb was worth it because all of Florence can be seen from this spot.

Our next stop was at the Museum of the Duomo. We were taken to see the Baptistery first. This is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. We entered through one of the bronze doors, (there are 3), and saw the other two. The doors are why tourist come here. A different famous artist designed each. My favorite door was Michelangelo's. On this door we saw 'The doors of Paradise'. The second door was framed with small Statues of the Prophets and Sibyls, (female Prophets). Lorenzo's door depicted the ' the scenes of the Life of the Messiah, the Evangelists and the Doctors of the Church.'

In the Museum we saw the displays of the items that are not being used in the Baptistery, the Campanile and the Duomo.

Our final stop was in front of the Galleria Accademia. I have no idea why as we could not go inside as it was being repaired. All we saw was a 'fake' stature of Michelangelo's 'David' and nothing of his famous 'Palestrina Pietà. What we did see was a group of drugged out kids flopping all over the steps.

THE JEWISH AREA:

Our group went with me to see the Jewish quarter. It was only a 5-minute walk from the Cathedra. The lady at the front desk was kind enough to give me a map with the route to take to reach the Quarter. It was Saturday and the Market and the shops were closed as this is our Shabbat, (Day of Rest). We walked around the peeking into the windows of the shops and we stopped at the Piazza della Repubblica, (that was build over part of the Quarter), on our way back to the Plazza to have a drink.

We didn't go back to the hotel and ate Pizza at the 'La Forca' Cafe. Our day ended with a final drink at 'Harry's Bar'.

SOME THOUGHTS:

I loved Florence and it was my favorite City that I saw in Italy. If you are planning a trip to Italy I hope you'll see Florence.

I have been questioned how I can remember all these things that happened so many years ago. I always take a notebook on every trip. I take pictures and co-ordinate them in a scrapbook, (I have now moved them to a 'memory book'). I also wrote all of my travel reviews on a site that know longer exists.

As were drove away I said 'Arrevidechi' Italy.

©LL