We departed from our hotel in Signa early in the morning, and took the Cosmos bus into Florence, or Firenze as the Italians call the city. Crossing the River Arno on foot, we met up with our local guide for a walking tour of this beautiful medieval city, cradle of the Renaissance.
The tour began in Piazza Santa Croce, site of another large church, and a demonstration at the nearby Peruzzi leather factory. From there our very animated and knowledgeable guide led us to the Piazza del Duomo, where we found the massive Santa Maria del Fiore Duomo, basilica and bell tower, with its very large and characteristic domed roof. Across from the front of the Duomo sat an old Roman baptistry with huge bronze doors known as the Gates of Paradise, with ten panels depicting scenes from the bible in raised bronze.
We toured inside the grandiose basilica and marvelled at its painted ceilings, arches and domes, before continuing our walk to the Piazza della Signoria, site of the ancient fortress of the powerful Medici family. This square was also lined with various large statues, including a copy of Michelangelo's famous "David".
The tour ended and we were set free to wander on our own. Some of the group opted to tour the acclaimed museums Accademia, and the Uffizi Gallery. We headed back to the Arno and walked the Ponte Vecchio, the old bridge lined with merchants. Enjoying a dining experience in a tiny eatery with all locals (Buffet Freddo), Mike's basic Italian was sorely tested, but we managed to secure Jane a pizza without anything that might kill her.
Our stomachs full, we returned to the Duomo square and hiked up the 414 steps of the bell tower, adjacent to the cathedral, for a commanding view of Florence and the nearby Tuscan hills. the sweeping panoramas were well worth the sore legs and the many tight squeezes passing others on their way down the old and narrow stone staircases.
We finished the day in Florence with some shopping at an outdoor market, before heading back to meet up with the group to return to the bus. Following a short ride back to Hotel Europa in Signa and some down time for laundry and recharging batteries both human and electronic, we met up with our travelling companions for a group dinner in the hotel restaurant. A visit to a nearby gelateria provided the perfect finish to the night, for some pure chocolate gelato.
Ponte Vecchio lined with merchant shops
A copy of Michelangelo's "David" at Piazza della Signoria
Duomo and Bell Tower
The Dome and Florence from atop the Bell Tower
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