Travels in Italy ... Florence

We checked into Hotel David for our visit to Florence.We were celebrating our anniversary and as we entered our comfy room we were greeted with a bottle of sparkling wine, a little cake and a note from the staff … an unexpected treat and so very nice them.

The hotel is located across the river from the main part of town. It is a bit of a walk along the river to the old city center, but it is easy and pleasant.

Entrance to Hotel David

Many enjoyable extras are provided by the hotel for their guests including free WiFi, a free mini-bar, international phone calls, and an evening (6:30 to 8:00PM) happy hour when the staff lays out a generous spread of hors d'oeuvres and vino.

Our room was spacious and nicely appointed with a modern bath and a great little balcony. It was late in the day and we popped open the bubbly and headed to the balcony, happy to relax after a long day of touring and traveling.

As we were preparing to go out, it started to absolutely pour so we didn’t want to go too far for dinner. We were directed by the hotel to a nearby restaurant called Gattabuia.
Soaking wet, we arrived hungry and ready to eat. When asked if we had a reservation, we had to laugh as we looked around at the empty restaurant on this dark and stormy Sunday night. We ordered salads and shared the first pizza of our trip. Perhaps we were just hungry, but it all tasted extremely good. Can’t say the service was overly friendly, but on that very wet night, it was a good port in the storm.

View from the Boboli Gardens

The hotel's room rate includes a breakfast that offers a wide range of tasty items and a choice of seating inside or out in their backyard patio. Well fed, we headed out to spend the morning wandering the Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace.

The expansive gardens cover 11 acres on the slopes across the Arno River from the main part of town. Laden with fountains and statuary, the gardens are lovely with many areas to explore, such as the little Porcelaine Museum that houses a delightful collection of tableware belonging to the royal families that once ruled Tuscany. The location of the gardens provides the perfect vantage point for viewing all of Florence. Even if you do not wish to visit the palace itself, the gardens are worth a stop.

View of the Ponte Vecchio

We lunched on the river at the Golden View. We did indeed have a great view of the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the river. We very much enjoyed this spot, the food was good, the staff was efficient and pleasant, and it was reasonably priced … who could ask for more? During the cocktail hour this same restaurant hikes up their drink prices, but lays out an incredible spread of heavy appetizers that could actually be dinner if you just wanted something light to eat.

If you have never been to Florence and are an admirer of Italian paintings, you must visit the Uffizi Gallery. To say this is a popular attraction is an understatement. To avoid long lines get a Firenze Card or make a reservation.

A visit to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo's David is also a must for any visit to Florence, it definitely does not disappoint. Michelangelo's statues leading up to the David are incomplete, yet interesting. As far as I’m concerned, there isn’t too much else in this small museum, but the splendid David alone makes it well worth the stop. It is best to reserve tickets in advance, or go late in the day when the lines have thinned.

Duomo

One evening, as we walked up to the Duomo, we were simply awestruck. What a magnificent structure it is, and so beautifully lit at night. It is hard to imagine how something of this magnitude could have been built so long ago. The detailed exterior belies the rather simple interior of this amazing structure.

The nearby baptistery is also something to behold. Its bronze doors, although high quality replicas, are incredible in their fine workmanship. You can view the original doors by visiting the Duomo Museum.

There are many other beautiful churches to explore in Florence that are also filled with fine frescoes, sculptures and stained glass.

Copious Amounts of Gelato

We walked and walked during our time in Florence, spending time admiring the shops brimming with gold jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio; strolling past one magnificent piazza after another; exploring the markets filled with leather goods; and enjoying an outdoor café or a little gelato every now and then.

This was my second visit to Florence. What I most enjoy about this glorious city isn’t popping into one tourist site after another; it’s walking the streets.

The architecture and the history that can be enjoyed simply by wandering around town and exploring its nooks and crannies is the finest experience of all.