Florence!

After our stay in Pisa the 2nd part of the holiday was to collect the hire car and go to Florence.

We arrived in time for lunch... 

...and then a walk into the city in the afternoon. It looks as though the lamp posts have a walkabout too!

The meal in the hotel in the evening was superb!

The following day we visited the small town of Fiesole which overlooks Florence...

...and was where the wealthy folk of Florence had their countryside villas in the middle ages as indeed they do today.

Back in Florence the Fortezza de Basso or the Fortezza di San Giovanni Battista, the fort of Saint John the Baptist, forms part of the 14th century city walls and very decorative walls they are!

It's time for the afternoon ice cream again, this time in the shop of Roberto Rinaldini, who is an Ice Cream World Champion!

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore which is situated in the Piazza del Duomo, was started in 1296 and completed in 1436. It has the largest brick built dome in the world.

It's not often we go to see a busker twice but this guy was the exception.

To see a video of the first time we saw Mike Whittaker play, click HERE

To see the video of our second visit to hear him, click HERE.

Leaving the centre of Florence to return to our hotel we had to stop off at the Piazza Michelangelo which is a wonderful place for taking in a panoramic view of the city below.

The next day we explored the city including the Piazza della 
Signoria in front of the Palazza Vecchio with the Fountain of Neptune and other amazing sculptures on display.

I just love the way these lions pose for the camera!

The Ponte Vecchio, a site of a crossing of the River Arno since Roman times and rebuilt in 1345, is a must for the tourist. It houses shops belonging to jewellers and art dealers.

There were some magnificent door knockers to be seen as well.

Everywhere in this city is so ornate.

The Basilica di Santa Croce, the Basilica of the Holy Cross, is the burial place of some of the most famous Italians. In the photo above is the tomb of Michelangelo...

...and in this photo the tomb of Galileo.

To see my video of our visit to Florence, click HERE.

To see some of the photos on Facebook, click HERE.

To see more photos of Florence, click HERE.