Italy day 4 Florence

Florence was great!      Our hotel on the outskirts of town is a haven in the middle of hustle and bustle. It is called the Rosary Garden Hotel...recommend it to everyone. Plus we had their exec suite as well!!

The hotel arranged for the main attraction tickets so that we did not have any line-ups to wait in.

So the day began with  a wonderful breakfast then  followed the directions to catch the bus into town and straight to the main Galleria de Academia housing Michelangelo’s David......He was stupendous to say the least....absolutely no photography allowed...shame...oh well.

(We photographed the copy at the Victoria and Albert museum in London) That nearly completed the circle for Mick...only one more sculpture to see for him...Michelangelo’s The Pieta in Rome.

Problem though...Mick’s gesticulating hand went too far and ...wait for it.....yes....he set off the alarm and had security scurrying over to chastise him....ahhhh another memorable moment!!

Next place on today’s schedule was The Uffizzi Gallery, housing the finest collection of Renaissance Art anywhere. Titian, Rapheal, Carravagio, Da Vinci and of course Michelangelo were everywhere......beauty and reverence abound. Mick wanted to see...The Birth of Venus by Rapheal.....There she was in all her glory.. It was a feeling not to be missed.          The only thing that spoiled it was the herd of loud Japanese/Chinese tourist groups   dictating the atmosphere....they are so rude!!. We spent most of the day in those two galleries....you need at least a week to absorb it all

Our lunch at a road side cafe was a basic spaghetti with basil sauce....flovour was great...and of course local house wine,(chianti)...better than the top line in most of our places.

We walked the covered bridge (Ponte Vecchio) which is full of jewellery stores from end to end. It is pedestrian only and a strange sight of small locks on a chained walkway...apparently it is for couples to lock their love together in Florence.....a unique tradition.

Lots of strolling and then back to our haven, ,rest then supper at a traditional Tuscan food restaurant.

Mick had wild boar and Claire had  a Veal dish. Very good and full of flavour...with of course Chianti Rufino (the areas speciality).....Home and fast asleep like babies!!

Piazza San Giovani

Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore....The dome that sparked the change in architecure!!!