Day 9. Firenze

We took the train to Firenze/ Florence from Empoli.  Only two stops and we were there.  We parked at the station, so it was a very easy and non stressful way to get there.  Firenze was rather a shock after our visits to villages and towns.  There were so many tourists that it is a bit nightmarish. Every nationality jostling for the best view and the best selfie shot.  So are the terribly friendly, terribly slick touts trying to get you to join their special tour.  It must be ghastly for the locals - not that we saw or heard much Italian being spoken.  Even the shop keepers seem to speak several languages.  And the prices are very high compared to the non tourist areas.  Deservedly, I think.

Although I would prefer to be the only tourist in town, the old part of Florence is full of the most wonderful buildings.

It feels bizarre to be walking in the streets and seeing the buildings which were familiar to all those people from history :  the Medicis, the Albizzis, da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Machiavelli.the buildings reflect the power and wealth and  solidity of the great families.

All the famous landmarks jump out at you: the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore,
the Ponte Vecchio and its gold merchants spanning the River Arno, 

the Duomo,

the Piazzale degli Uffizi,

 the Pallazzo Pitti among them.  

 

 There are statues everywhere,

 interesting buildings

 

and wonderful views down streets.

The shopping is so tempting.  From leather, to jewellery, from designer clothing and shoes,

 

 to sweets and biscuits.

You definitely need more than the half day we spent there, so we are planning to return tomorrow.