More Firenze!

Today a full day out exploring more of this great city. The sun was out more fully so I snapped off a few more of our local Basilica, the Dominican Santa Maria Novella as well as our hotel which is just to the right of the Basilica.

We then took a casual walk down to the Duomo. Inside it's not the most lavishly decorated of Italian cathedrals but the sheer size is impressive. The frescoes on the nave ceiling and transepts are beautiful. But the marble floors are really amazing.

One of the beautiful votive candle 'trees'.

The main altar area.

The frescoes inside the dome. You'll need to enlarge to really see the detail.

Their mosaic was on the inside front facade with an amazing clock that goes all the way to 24 o'clock!

Scooters galore in Roma and also Firenze!

Ponte Vecchio again and this time crossing it to look at the famous gold and jewelry shops. Extraordinary how much wealth there is in these tiny shops. Too much choice means its too hard to buy!

See something you like?

On the we saw the usual sellers but 2 struck our eye. The first was a man playing the glasses. It sounded ethereal but beautiful. The second was a man making animals out of palm fronds. Very skillful.

On the bridge I found a mass of interlocked padlocks. They're engraved with messages of love and devotion.

We then headed off to find Gastrinomia, a little wine shop, come delicatessen, come eatery as recommended to me by my barber, Charlie! I had the 'little spaghetti' with garlic, cheese and shaved white truffle. The garlic was delicious but I can still taste it now. Kim enjoyed the layered egg plant with feta, tomato and cheese. Both dishes were great!

With our bellies full we then found our way to Piazza del Michelangelo. This piazza is on the other side of the Fiume Arno and has exceptional views of the city. It also boasts another statue of David. That takes our David statue tally to 4!

That's Ponte Vecchio in the background.

Part of the old city walls and fortifications.

This fish pond was a part of the Giardin de Roses.

On the way down we had to have the obligatory gelato. I had dark chocolate and something torte. Kim had the milk and something. We should take more note of the names but the flavored are amazing!

We also saw the most beautiful street chalk drawings! It was worth giving her a euro!



The Piazza Repubbica boasted an old fashioned carousel.

Meanwhile the Carabineri flirt with the girls. The uniforms must work for them as we'll as the girls.

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