Italy- Day 3

We left for Florence (Firenze) right after breakfast, crossing the Apennine Mountains between Bologna and Florence. The views were gorgeous- reminded me of the Appalachian Mountains here. My first view of Florence was a little disappointing. I was hoping that Venice was not going to have been so spectacular that it spoiled everywhere else. It turns out that we were coming into town right at the train station and weren't seeing the pretty parts yet.

Our hotel was close to downtown and was very lovely. The room was still small but, since I didn't plan on doing much there but sleep, it was fine. We went on a walking tour downtown. My first view of the Duomo made up for whatever feelings I first had about Florence. The Duomo is over-sized and over-ornate, a true old-world cathedral. The marble facade is pink, green, and white and is adorned with carvings and statues. Its most impressive features are the giant dome, the bell tower, and the baptistry doors.

We Also saw the palace of the Medici family, the town hall government center (outside of which stands a replica of Michaelangelo's David- the original being placed in an art gallery many years ago to protect it), the Ponte Vecchio bridge, the exterior of the Uffizi Art Gallery, and the lovely Florence streets.

My feet hurt! We did a lot of walking over cobblestone and marble. There isn't much other way to get around unless you have a scooter, segway, or a mini-car. Italians are funny, too. They will sacrifice comfort for looks every time. They also don't pay attention to traffic rules. But they are bubbly and friendly and helpful. After 3 days I had learned several Italian words, like please, thank you, you're welcome, and I feel comfortable using them.

The night ended with a wonderful dinner in a cafe and a stroll for gelato. Florence has a different feel at night. The tourists are mostly gone and the natives are out for dinner and the night life.