Every night at dinner, we share our favorite thing in the last 24 hours - from dinner the previous night to current. It is one of my favorite things to do when we travel. I think it's fascinating to see the different things everyone chooses and the way they see and experience new experiences, people and places. You learn a lot about people by what they say.
The night we arrived in Florence, we sat at a restaurant we had been to several times the last visit. It held a lot of memories and was quite nostalgic. At dinner, Rusty shared his highlight. "From the minute we left Florence two years ago, I wanted to come back." I think that summed it up for all of us. It was doubly fun to share such a special place and so many things that we loved with our new pledge.
The first stop when we arrived was the rooftop bar at our hotel. A view of the Pitti Palace was not too shabby.
We stayed in the coolest hotels which are far from big, box hotels. Those windows across the way was the room of Greg, Steph and a cool attached room for John.
After drinks, dinner and pictures in front of the doors to the apartment we stayed in 2016...
we showed John Santa Croce. It is by far my favorite thing in Florence. Every time I turn the corner to see it, it takes my breath away. It's unfathomable to think all that went into building/creating the outside, the baptistry, the duomo, the art inside - it blows my mind. And it was so fun to share!
we showed John Santa Croce. It is by far my favorite thing in Florence. Every time I turn the corner to see it, it takes my breath away. It's unfathomable to think all that went into building/creating the outside, the baptistry, the duomo, the art inside - it blows my mind. And it was so fun to share!
John fed the boar coins and I can't remember if he will or will not return to Florence. Either way it was fun!
It was a perfect first night back in Florence! (Which I can't believe I get to say!)
Day 4
Greg surprised us with a fun trip. It was no big deal. Just a bike ride through the Tuscan countryside to a winery for a wine tasting!
We rode electric bikes.
John, the owner of E-Bikes Florence, was a hoot. Charming, kind and happy! He was a fun highlight of the day for sure.
John was our navigator extraordinaire. The only thing we didn't really know was that taking the "long way" was actually riding up one side of a mountain and down the other side. We were super thankful for the electric part of the bikes!
There
was plenty of beautiful scenery along the way for some fun picture
taking. Driving through town was a little stressful, but once we got out
of town it was mostly good!
When we were within about 1/4 mile of the winery I had a pretty gnarly bike crash. I did a job on my hand and my knee. My hand hurt for several weeks and I even got it x-rayed when I got home. Thankfully, no permanent harm done!
The winery was amazing.
We had our own personal wine tasting. And oh my word the olive oil - wow! That stuff we buy in the grocery store is total garbage compared to this!
We loaded up on olive oils and wines and rode our bikes back via the river.
It was a good day!
After dinner we wandered the streets of Florence and found the leather shop Kaitlin was looking for. Rusty got her a pair of leather sandals for her birthday, complete with initials and everything.
Day 5:
Every morning, we started our day at ditta Artiginale. Anywhere Rusty says is good coffee, I agree!
Across the street was this on a wall. We think it would make a pretty great run on character name!
The last of the surprises involved a train ride to Lucca - one of the only cities left in Italy with a wall around it. We rented bikes and rode around the city on this wall. It was amazing and fun and fascinating all at the same time. I think about it a lot since we've been home.
We climbed a tower similar to this one.
And this picture just cracked me up. Rusty taking pictures of funny things along the way. John and Kaitlin guiding us. Ben taking pictures of them. Steph just waiting and watching and Greg in the back!
The other highlight of Lucca? Our favorite gelato stop of the entire trip - pear for me, peach for Steph and pine nut for Ben!
We took the train back to Florence and capped off the days adventures with rooftop drinks. No big deal. Just the duomo in the background.
That night after dinner we walked across town for the Ben and Greg's highlight of the day for two straight days: an affogato (espresso and gelato). I had one. It was wasted on me, but they sure appreciated it.
Later that night John, Rusty, Kaitlin & Ben went out for some late
night shenanigans. Somewhere along the way they started doing heel clicks
through the quiet streets of Florence. They talked Ben into trying a
double heel click (or maybe it was his competitive nature wanting to
keep up with the young ones). Either way, it did not go well. Ben hurt his feet which may have set him up for a summer of foot pain.
He pulled himself together for the rest of the trip, or at least gave
the appearance that he did. They all laughed so hard about it the next
morning at breakfast. If only we had pictures.
Day 6
After the last of the surprise adventures, we had a free day to explore. We couldn't climb the duomo (bummer!) so we climbed the bell tower.
As we climbed we watched some brave/foolish people repel.
Seriously! What a view!
After the bell tower, we saw the baptistery and took John to San Lorenzo to see the Medici Chapel and the Michelangelo sculpture.
We happened upon our favorite street artist and bought some more prints. When you make a purchase, he paints a "business card" for you right then and there. We love him and his art.
We lunched at the market and said good-bye to Rusty and Kaitlin. They had to head home a few days before us.
I
think this is the day Steph and I toured the Pitti Palace. But maybe it
was the day before. I can't remember exactly. We saw some more art, the enormity of the palace and were generally
impressed by the whole thing. I even added a book about the Medici's to my amazon wish list!
We had meat at Toto's for dinner. You have to eat some Florentine steak. Unfortunately, our knife wielding friend from last time had retired. It was good though!
Day 7 and other pictures:
We got up on our last day in Florence and had breakfast on the roof with a view of the Pitti Palace. We packed up and stood in line to visit Santa Croce. Totally worth the wait.
We tried to find some gardens we later discovered were not open to the public. It ended up being a nice walk with a great outdoor lunch spot. We walked to the train station and headed to Rome first class. That was a real treat!
Dinner every night is an adventure.
Ben became our resident red wine expert after the winery tour.
Breakfasts of meats, cheeses, chocolate croissants and cappuccinos is heavenly and not quite like my oatmeal breakfasts at home.
Every view is spectacular.
It's the best sharing it with people you love.
There's always the train station!
And learning the ropes.
rooftop drinks (10 euros each) • showing John all our favorite spots • 28 kilometers/17 miles on electric bikes • bike wrecks • winery, bean puree & olive oil • leather sandals • foot soaks in the bath tub • the 4 evangelists • Lucca: trains, steps & bikes • rabbit bites & rabbit sauce • pear, pine nut & peach gelato • affogato • double heel clicks • the market • poppy flowers • bell tower • baptistery • San Lorenzo • our favorite street artist • Michelangelo • the Medici's • the Pitti Palace • toto's • you can dance if you want to • clues • wheels go round • stretch those knee caps
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