John & Laurel’s website

We arrived in Florence yesterday early afternoon after a train ride with so many hilltop villas, rolling green hills and in the distance snow covered peaks.  We talked nearly non-stop with a young man, David (named after Michelangelo’s David), from Venezuela.  Sounds like we must go !  The three of us were surprised by the time change (one hour later) and found out just in time to catch our train !  We were thinking to walk and were grateful for a taxi that happened to appear just when we needed him (the only taxi ride in Rome) and drove at top speed to get us there.  Our platform was very near the station entrance.  The ride was so comfortable and roomy.  We shared food with our Venezualean companion.  He hadn’t had time for breakfast and was hungry.

Our Florence B&B is a short walk from the train station and it is so centrally located we can stop in and get whatever we need so we don’t have to plan our day pack contents.  From our unique, flip-down window we have stunning views of the Duomo and tower and all the street activity.  Things quiet down at night and we slept well.  Our room is spacious, especially compared with ours in Rome – that was approx 12×10. 

We love all the giant doors with grand designs.

Yesterday we visited Michelangelo’s David and walked around Florence for several hours with a break for gelato, ofcourse !  I don’t know how the Italian women wear their high heels all day, especially on the cobblestone streets, but they do.  With all the shoe and bag displays in the windows a person would need to have a well-paying job to support the habit.  The shoes would require the fancy, patterned hose and the fashion needs continue.  Today I will get some photos of those display windows since any description cannot do them justice.

We will climb the stairs inside the Duomo this morning, enjoy the view and take more pix.  Helpful hint for anyone who travels to Italy: have two pair walking shoes so you can trade off.  Our feet are happy.