Florence 
 

 On the way to Florence

Already at 8 am we were ready to leave the campground after a cup of coffee – heading south – only on the autostrada, so we stopped at a typical Italian auto grill stop – Paul would have liked it, if they had some picnic tables… but maybe Italians are too much in a hurry, so we had a Focaccia and then finally "Firenze"… after passing our exit, we could easily turn in front of the next pay station.
 

 Camping in Florence

We arrived at our Campsite and after Paul asked for some electricity we got it, we only have to wait for a few hours, until the market is open, since we need an adapter. So after a nice refreshing shower we headed to the Piazza Michelangelo.

Back at the campsite. We had to relax on such a hot day before heading out to explore the town. After the store opened at 5 pm (lucky for me, so we could relax during the heat) we got our cooler running that means some nice drinks this evenings.

One thing is for sure – we had a nice view from our campsite… I think that's the best spot here.
 

 Piazza Michelangelo

Here we enjoyed a gorgeous incredible view – we checked out the church up the stairs the St. Miniate de Monte – and a nice view – this is one amazing spot.

And we also enjoyed some breathtaking sunsets here – with the city lightning up in the dark.

 
 Piazza S. Croce

Walking down, the first views on the famous bridge Ponto Vechio and we went right to the Piazza S. Coce… the Sun was gorgeous shining on the front of the church, makes all sparkly. This is a great piazza and we went to see Dante (statue) too.

Dante (1265-1321) one of the most famous Italian poet/writers

 
 Florence – the Outdoor Museum

First time for Paul to be in the big Florence outdoor museum: with the loggia – the famous David and the Neptune fountain (1563) in front of the Palazzo Vecchio at the Piazza Della signora. From there through the Uffizi museum – we headed tired back to our place and were nearly dying of thirst.

 
 Palazzo Vecchio: old palace – the town hall of Florence – looks like a fortress    
 

David from Michelangelo: ok this is only a replica of the statue made between 1501-1504 – but there is no question that over 4 m high statue is one awesome looking guy


 Loggio de Lanzei at the Plaza de Signoria: an outdoor statue galerie – why should you go in a museum when you can see all here and watch people at the same time – but don’t forget the statue of the fight of the Sabines.        

 Uffizi Museum: we didn’t took the time to go inside – since Gine was in before and Paul didn’t want to wait hours in line to go into a museum. But we enjoyed the statues on the outside of this world famous museum.        


 Sunset at the Piazza Michelangelo
Tonight we have to have Paul’s Spaghetti: I think Paul is not so enthusiastic about the Italian way: “No you can’t sit at that table with a view, May I gel later 4 people and can make more money” “No if you want to sit at the table with that pop, then you get the pop in the glass only half size” “Sure you can eat at the table it’s only 1 Euro more” – So we ended up eating on the stairs on the Piazza Michelangelo and they tasted there great too… and we had the best view on the Sunset.

 
 Ponte Vecchio

At 7 am Paul already woke me up, it was a short night since we also got interrupted when Gine’s bed fall over the edge. After coffee we went down having a closer look at the Ponta Vechio... the stores not even all open…

The 'old bridge’ (1345) – a medieval bridge crossing the Arno river – and from the beginning it hosted shops... in the old days the butcher today the souvenir and jewellery shops.

Piazza Della Republican

We continued on coming by a marketplace, visiting a cool shopping mall “the San Lorenzo Market” – Gine ended up with a new skirt and a happy Paul J and Paul learned he should wear a shirt and not walk around topless. A quick stop at the meat market: not only roosters with head but other unusual staff…. And some more market exploring we came to the


  The Duomo

The Basilica de Santa Maria de Fiore built from 1296-1436 – with marble exterior. With the Campanille (Bell Tower) - an amazing dome and a fresco done in 1579, where you can look forever.

We went to stand in the line for the cupola – had lots of time to meet some other tourists and finally went 463 steps up… walked along the inside of the cupola, amazed by this huge pictures – and enjoyed an amazing view from the top.

Now it’s time for an Italian sandwich – there is no better place than right in front of the Duomo and soaking in the marvelous front façade, watching people..

When we wanted to go inside the dome we had to gown up with “looked like throw away night gowns’ – since we exposed too much kin.

 Baptistery of St. John: near the Duoma from 1059 – one of the oldest buildings in town. One of the most amazing parts are the bronze (golden) looking doors – the nicest one “the Gates to Paradise”

There is no question… even walking through Florence there are a lot of little details everywhere.

After a quick “Siesta break” with shower – some pool time in the afternoon it was time again to go back to town. Tonight Paul finally got his spaghetti – the sun left and the first raindrops came on the way back… lucky we came back to the tent before the big rain shower started.

And the next morning cloudy… so we went over to the Piazza Michelangelo to have our coffee there and the last great views of Florence.