Florence

Florence – Update 3

No more overnight train trips for me.  The trip from Paris was up close and personal – the four of us in one compartment.  The train was an hour and a half late leaving Paris.  The trip was very bumpy; I think we were over the wheels.  We didn’t get much sleep but Janelle said that we must have because between Kent, Phil and I snoring, she didn’t get any sleep.

We arrived in Florence around 8.30 am. Found McDonalds across from the station and had breakfast there.  We couldn’t check into the apartment until 11.30 am so Phil and Kent minded the luggage while Janelle and I went exploring.   Our apartment is even better than it looked on the internet. The main bedroom has friezes from the 16th century.

Main bedroom with 16th century Frieze

The owner, Lorenzo, met us with a very warm welcome and showed us to our second floor apartment.  Waiting for us was champagne, fresh fruit and Italian biscuits. It was so lovely.

Lorenzo with our champagne, furit & biscuits

 We would recommend this apartment to anyone travelling to Florence and the location is perfect, right next to the leather and food markets.

Paris has always been my favourite city, but now I am swaying (and not from the Vino).  Florence is amazing and so compact.  You can walk everywhere.  The shops are very elegant and the leather goods superb.  Yesterday we did a three hour walking tour. Our guide was fantastic and very passionate about the history of Florence, which made our tour so much more interesting. 

Ponte Veccio

Marilyn on the Pone Veccio

We visited the Duomo and Campanile (Santa Maria del Fiore). Janelle and Kent were climbing the 463 steps this morning, Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’ Accademia. What an amazing statue this is.  We also visited a number of other churches, Pont Vecchio, Santa Maria Novella and the piazza. We finished off with some fabulous Italian ice cream.

Ice cream at Le Parigane

In the morning we head off to Venice on the train to board the ship for our 12 day cruise. We have two days in Venice before we sail.

So until next update, Ciao.