June 28th – Checked into Hotel California. Walking tour of Florence. Visited Holy Cross Church (Santa Croce), a 14th
century Franciscan church where Galileo and Michelangelo are buried. Saw the outside of the Duomo (Cattedrale di
Santa Maria del Fiore) and the Baptistery which has the bronze gates of
paradise (which was closed for renovation).
Tour of the Accademia Gallery
(Galleria dell’Accademia) – home of Michelangelo’s David (carved in 1501
at the age of 26 and unfinished Prisoners (Michelangelo’s face is carved on the
back side of one of the prisoners – that is how he knew he got the piece of
marble that he picked out). Dinner at
Trattoria Nerone Pizzaria had Zuppa Farro and Ribolitta (bread soup) for
dinner. Gelato for desert. Limoncello and Grappa on the top terrace with
a view of the dome of the Duomo.
June 29th – Tour by Ricardo of the Uffizi Gallery. Walked over the Ponte alle Grazie bridge over the Arno River to the Bardini Gardens. Had sandwiches and wine at the top. Had gelato at La Stega Nacciola. Walked back over the Ponte Vecchio bridge (lined with shops selling gold jewelry). Walked through Centrale Market. Visited the inside the Duomo. Had dinner at ZaZa’s (Carpaccio and wild boar). Rose had her coin purse stolen we think it was on the bridge or in the central market. Amaretto and grappa at the top of hotel – could not sit on the terrace due to thunderstorm.
June 29th – Tour by Ricardo of the Uffizi Gallery. Walked over the Ponte alle Grazie bridge over the Arno River to the Bardini Gardens. Had sandwiches and wine at the top. Had gelato at La Stega Nacciola. Walked back over the Ponte Vecchio bridge (lined with shops selling gold jewelry). Walked through Centrale Market. Visited the inside the Duomo. Had dinner at ZaZa’s (Carpaccio and wild boar). Rose had her coin purse stolen we think it was on the bridge or in the central market. Amaretto and grappa at the top of hotel – could not sit on the terrace due to thunderstorm.