October 21-22

October 21

Packed and left our apartment

Had lunch with Jonathan and Alex at La Tavernetta (our third time in four days)

Waited in train stations and trains

Got to Florence and love our apartment!!!

October 22

Today was the best day!!!! I LOVE Tuscany and Florence! The bed in our apartment is so big and comfortable it made for a good sleep. We woke up early to make the most of our one whole day in Firenze. Our place is right next to Santa Croce so we have a pretty, large church and busy piazza right next door. We walked (Florence is the first city we haven't bothered buying bus or metro passes for because it's small it's easy to walk everywhere) to the Uffizi Museum and while standing in line we decided waiting for an hour in line on our feet and then walking for hours in the museum was going to monopolize our only day here. Plus it was twice as expensive to get in than it said online, and like I said - the line was so long. The line at Versailles was far too long. Buy your museum tickets and train tickets in advance to save time and money. 

So, as much as I wanted to see all of the awesome things I've never seen at the Uffizi, we walked around Ponte Vecchio, the cute streets and shops and piazzas. I know the Duomo is cliché, but I really love it. I love the striped marble and I love Tuscan Gothic façades, okay? I love it. We shopped for gifts in little street markets, bought ties, and found the best vintage store ( A.N.G.E.L.O. on Via dei Cimatori across from I 2 Fratellini) where we spent at least an hour and way too much money. The store was adorable and no one was in it. Maybe Italians don't shop vintage? Anyway, Todd got me the best camel Italian leather bag. We went to a few other churches, including Santa Maria Novella where we got gelato and had a sit, saw some graves, and talked about what it would be like to get a five star hotel right by the church.

We went to this panino place called I 2 Fratellini next to Orsanmichele. They sell typical Tuscan sandwiches that are SO delish and for only €2.50. We bought three and went back for a fourth so we could try different kinds. We bought fruit from down the street and people watched at Piazza della Signoria. 

At sunset we hiked up the hill to Piazza Michelangiolo and saw a beautiful view of the city. My pregnant abdomen cannot handle fast anything, but we didn't want to miss the sun setting. You can see everything from up there. It was a gorgeous walk down the hill alone without any tourists. 

We went for dinner at La Prosciutteria. It is very narrow with cured meats hanging from the ceiling, wine bottles along all the walls and old, hand-written documents under the glass of the table. We got pappa al pomodoro to start and a meat, cheese and fruit platter with bread for dinner. It was inexpensive considering the quality and quantity of the food. 

After dinner it was getting late, but we went for a walk anyways and it turned out to be amazing! In Piazza della Signoria, this Polish lady was playing classical guitar with an amp, and she must have studied it in college because she was totally incredible. She made a ton of money also, like probably a few hundred in just one set. Afterwards we walked down by the Duomo and heard someone playing the organ, and Todd said, "Follow the music!" It was a free concert of Bach and Mendehlsen music in this old Renaissance church. The organ was so loud and he played perfectly and the accoustics were so beautiful. We loved it.