Goodbye Siena! Its time for Florence (the best portion of the trip!) I had a pre-booked train ticket to go to Florence from Siena via Trenatalia, but I learned by talking to the locals at the station that taking an express bus to Florence is faster, leaves more often, and is a more comfortable ride. You bet its a better idea to take the bus! I arrived in Florence at the time that I would just be leaving the Siena station by train. It was so worth the 10 euro - definitely recommend this! The first must-see sight was the Florence Cathedral and the Duomo. It dominates the Florence skyline with its the russet-domed cathedral, with its pretty façade in green, pink, and white marble. Go inside the Sante Croce to see the burial tombs of history's greatest renaissance men - Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo, Galileo among others. The baptistery is defined by its gold doors. Dante and the Medicis were baptized here. Dont miss the Accademia Gallery, which has a replica of The David by Michelangelo outside among other beautiful statues.
Lunch was at Trattoria del Gatto e La Volpe, a family-feel restaurant. You get fresh ingredients and large portions for a very modest price. I went to the Medici Riccardi palace after. The Medicis were a powerful family that ruled Florence. Their chapel was a symbol of their power and wealth. Next door is the Basilica di San Lorenzo, one of the oldest churches in Florence. It's a nice sanctuary to visit if you want some peace and quiet to break up any craziness of your day sight-seeing. At dusk, I walked along the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval stone bridge that connects the banks of Florence. It's filled with these old shops that when closed, the store front looks like an old wooden treasure trunk. It doesn't feel like you re on a bridge at all, but rather a street of shops! Its beautiful and iconic in any photo of Florence. Finished up the day with some sweets - the perfect way to end the day.
Florence Cathedral
Florence Baptistry
The doors of the Battistero of San Giovanni
Sante Croce - Danti Aligherio's Tomb
Piazza della Repubblica
David in Piazza della Signoria
Palazzo Vecchio
Osteria il gatto e la volpe
Magi Chapel in Palazzo Medici Riccardi
Basilica di San Lorenzo
The Basilica di San Lorenzo Cloister Garden
Ponte Vecchio Bridge
Jewelry Shops at Ponte Vecchio Bridge
A copy of David in Piazza della Signoria
No comments:
Post a Comment