Saturday, September 19, 2009

Florence

We arrived in Florence Thursday mid day. We dropped off our rental car and arrived at JK Place (really pretty boutique hotel in Piazza Santa Maria Novella). See link:

http://www.jkplace.com/

We dropped off our luggage and made our way right over to the Cathedral Santa Maria (better known as the Duomo), Battistero and the unbelievable Duomo ceiling. We stared at the Duomo ceiling from the alter of the church......really amazing to look at but could not hold a candle to what it looked like as you are perched right underneath the ceiling. We climbed 463 steps to the very top....along very tiny stairs. The fresco painted ceiling is truly remarkable. When we had climbed a bit higher to an overlook on the outside of the top of the Duomo, it had finally stopped raining. As we overlooked the city of Florence and the hills of Tuscany – there was a beautiful rainbow across the sky line. We were treated to two rainbows in two days!

We went to enjoy a cappuccino and espresso and as we were walking through the square on our way to see the statue of David (Michelangelo) we heard our names being called out through the square. Our friends Vicki & John from the villa were also in Florence! So, we stopped and chatted and then they walked us over to the Accademia (museum). We very much enjoyed the Accademia because we were blown away by the David. Why were we blown away? As you stare up at this massive sculpture that was created from one slab of marble (1501-1504), you actually see muscle definition (throughout entire body), veins, perfect proportions, it looks as though he was in motion....really was a sight to see. We listened to a tour guides information and read about the David. We learned that it had been attacked in 1991 by a hammer wielding disgruntled artist. Luckily only David's feet were scratched up just a bit. In 2001, a group of people from an organization called “Friends of Florence” had an event in which they raised money to restore the David. Oddly enough the owner from our Villa Mangiacane in Tuscany had contributed as did a wealthy family by the name of Sager from Boston. The only $ contributions to this restoration effort came from a South African and an American- no Italians. Many Italian people found this to be odd and troubling, but not bad enough to contribute apparently. We left the Accademia and were off to the hotel to relax and get ready for dinner at a restaurant called Aqua al 2. This restaurant was recommended to us by a couple also on their honeymoon from Chicago that we met in Positano. Dinner was great and we met a nice couple there as well (from Australia) and we tapped into Tiagnello, one of Mike's favorite wines. We walked back through the squares and listened to live music and shared some Moretti (Italian beer) outside. Then we headed home and the next day we were off to explore Florence.

Day two of Florence we headed over to the Uffizi museum, walked all around trying to see of there was any affordable shopping. There was not. Sadly we bought nothing. Well, only olive oil, balsamic vinegar and wine. Mike bought the olive oil and balsamic vinegar at a sweet little husband and wife run shop- they allowed you to taste everything prior to purchase. We walked over Ponte Vecchio (known as the old bridge -landmark- full of jewelry stores, over to Piazza Pitti (enjoyed a gelato) and then headed over to Santa Croce (church built in 1294) and that houses the crypts/ tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Bruni, and Rossini (amongst others). We spent some time reading about each person and looking at the art throughout the church.  Afterwards we grabbed a quick bite and were off for a siesta. The hotel set us up on the roof deck prior to dinner with champagne and treats for a sunset toast, very sweet. We enjoyed our time (we were the only people out there on the roof deck- really pretty) then were off for dinner. Dinner was nice -over looking ponte vecchio and the arno river. Then we walked around a bit and headed back to the hotel. We both are a bit sad b/c we head back to NYC Sat and the honeymoon is officially over.....as this blog will be and the endless gifts of champagne. We'll wrap this blog up tomorrow and add some fun pics. We hope that you have enjoyed reading about our trip and we can't wait to spend time sharing photographs! With love- us.

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