Experiencing Italy for the first time by spending five days in Florence was fabulous! Emerging from the train station - we chose to fly into Rome and ride the high-speed train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella - we were transported into a historical time machine. Not that Florence lacks modern conveniences, but immediately visitors are surrounded by buildings, streets, cathedrals and statues that are many centuries old.
After checking into our hotel near the Ponte Vecchio - the unique bridge which houses jewelry merchants and the only city bridge to survive World War II - we chose to walk around the city. We discovered narrow streets of stone which opened up into piazzas where not only statues greeted us but also the bustle of city life as well. We chose an outdoor restaurant in the plaza in order to enjoy the views, the fountain and the people. We ended the evening by viewing the Duomo from the rooftop bar in our hotel. That did not prepare us for the massive size and beauty of the cathedral and dome which we viewed closeup the next morning.
Our second day included a tour of the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery of Florence where we saw the works of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and others. Our college humanities courses and our knowledge of the classics had instilled in us a love for these priceless pieces, but it had not prepared us for the crush of people who also wanted to view these works of art. Lunch in a local restaurant and dinner at another sidewalk cafe were both excellent examples of Italian cuisine.
The third day was spent in the rolling hills of Tuscany by taking a tour to Sienna, San Gimignano and having lunch at a vineyard with a wine tasting. This provided insight into rural life - both historically and currently.
On Sunday, we walked the steep roads and pathways to Michaelangelo Plaza on the other side of the river - which provided a breathtaking panoramic vista of the beautiful city where we enjoyed a glass of wine and a pizza. Stopping by a small local market, our dinner was a selection of fresh breads, bruschetta, cheeses and a bottle of Chianti which had been purchased at the vineyard the day prior.
The Medici Chapel tour did not disappoint on our last full day. The grandiose Medici Chapel of the Princes is much larger than photographs can capture, and the sculptures were impressive. Later that evening, our dining location was reached within a ten minute walk along the river, and again it was on a narrow roadway - which I would more accurately describe as a hallway - of stones.
Part of the joy of Florence for us was walking these small alleys and experiencing something unique at the end of each one. One emerged into a piazza where an opera singer was sharing her talented voice. Another opened up to stone stairs where a live musician played a violin and another gentleman sang while playing his guitar. The Firenze arts are not just relegated to the classical pieces in museums, but they are alive and well on the streets of the city for all to enjoy.
On our final early morning as we passed the Santa Maria Novella Cathedral, which had welcomed us just six days prior at the train station of the same name, it was with sadness that we boarded to leave the beauty of The City of Flowers. It is hard to capture the essence of Florence in these short vignettes, but we encourage everyone to visit as we surely hope to do again in the future.
