Monday, 28 May 2012 - Walking walking...

Today we did a 'Free' walking tour of Florence.  A tip was expected, but it was still pretty good value.  Our guide was a little dry but he knew his stuff and we learnt a lot and saw a lot.  Definitely worth doing.  We then grabbed some lunch from a busy caffe.  Like normal it was pretty good.  Then we did our own walking tour looking at more stuff and getting our bearings.

We saw a lot today including Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, and Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (This is the one with the Duomo) - we didn't go in, but it was hard to miss it walking by.  Ended up in the Basilica of Santa Croce with all of the graves and memorials to famous Florentines and others (Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, and Rossini).  Saw the statue of the boar (Il Porcellino) in the market square.  We saw the statues in Piazza della Signoria, and the entrance to Uffizi Gallery.  We wandered slowly back towards our apartment going via Ponte Vechio where Tricia bought some jewellery.  We found a supermarket, loaded up with essential supplies including that good cheap red wine and made our way back.

Inside the Basilica of Santa Croce 

On Ponte Vecchio searching for bargains

We went to a local restaurant (Affe di Bacco) recommended by the apartment owner.  It was good and reasonable.  Can't remember what I had now, but Mike and I ended up with a glass of Grappa.  It wasn't too much like rocket fuel...

That menu looks good enough to eat even if it is in Italian

Busy day and tiring.  But I fell for Florence - or Firenze as us Italians know it.

Tricia said:

11 am walking tour.  Visited Basilica di Santa Croce.  Have new Pandora charm bought from Ponte Vecchio (bridge).  Out for tea at Affe di Bacco - very nice.