Day 5: Firenze, Italy

So here we are at day five. 

"But wait Matt! What happened to Day Four B? I mean, you have day Four A posted!"

Yup, maybe I will get to posting Four B, or maybe I won't! But seriously, I do have intentions to post day Four B, just have not gotten to it yet.

So I woke up this morning and looked out my window, and what  view!

Firenze, or Florence as you commoners call it (which I did up to three weeks ago, so I will get off my high horse....wait for it....a bit of a jump......ouch, my ankle), is a beautiful city. And there is beautiful landscape around the city which adds to it. So we met in the dining room downstairs to have some breakfast. Good food with even better company!

We then met outside for another group photo of these beautiful people!

Now, a few of our crew had gone for a walk last evening after we arrived, so they were quite helpful in assisting navigate the walk down to the river. Why the river? Because when you have a major landmark to start with, it makes it easier to get un-lost. 

This was part of our walking tour which would be followed by free time for everyone.

Once at the river, we walked along to Ponte Vecchio, a bridge with buildings basically, so that everyone could decide where they wanted to go and what they wanted to see. 

It was right before we reached Ponte Vecchio that Henry, one of our crew, stated that he wanted to check out Palazzo Girolami, so I decided to join him. Why not?

Now this is where this blog may get annoying for those of you in North America reading this. Why? Because during free time I can only travel with one group. Haven't quite worked out that cloning thing.....yet. We then proceed north in the city and saw some great sites! 

(insert pictures here...OKAY)

One thing about free time is that, well, you have to let the day lead you sometimes. So yeah, Henry and I wound up at what appeared to be a Home and Craft show in an old fort that had been converted into a convention centre, but he did score a great deal on a jacket.

Afterwards, we headed back south for some additional sites.

Now south across the river.

And you come across some MASSIVE buildings with great architecture. How do you fit it in an iPod camera. Panoramic setting of course!

We then headed back north to meet Anthony, Karen, and some of the crew to see.....wait for it........yup, you guessed it......Michelangelo's David!

So, let's get this right from the start. If you ever get to go to Florence, you need to visit this statue. Yes, you will need to wait in line and pay for admission, but it is worth it. I could bore you with the details, but please trust me. This. is. worth. seeing.

After viewing David and other pieces of art, we headed out to dinner, made some new friends, and headed back to the hotel.

Summary of Firenze? Great city to visit for multiple reasons.

1. The landscape that the city is on and surrounding the city is that of rolling hills and foothills, so you get a good perspective of the city in the distance.
2. You can walk everywhere.
3. Living history. Rome does have a longer history, but a lot of it was buried and then dug up, or demolished for other uses, and is not being used. In Firenze, the majority of original buildings appear to still be used.
4. Art.
5. Dining.

Tomorrow....Bologna!