Two nights in Florence

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Paul and Chris made their second city break to the Tuscan city of Florence - this time with the little fella along for the ride - meet Dan


31st march we flew into Pisa from Luton, and took the Terravision connection straight to Florence - a transfer of just over an hour


The historic sector of the city is a mad-house - narrow streets bustling with pedestrians, with buses, taxi's, bicycle's but most of all mopeds pushing their way through the throngs.


Crocodiles of organised tour groups follow the umbrella in all directions, and the queue's boil gently in the glorious early spring sunshine as they wait endlessly to get into the major museums.


The main buildings are of course spectacular - the Doumo cathedral in particular with its 461 step climb to the viewing gallery being an adventure in its own right

The Ponte Vecchio looks exactly how I imagine London bridge did in the middle ages with houses and shops crammed 'higgledy piggledy' across the shallow waters of the Arno.

We enjoyed Florence, and would come back again - probably doing Pisa and Sienna as well in the same trip next time


FLORENCE GOOD; Spectacular history, great views a beautiful city


FLORENCE BAD; Very touristy, overcrowded even this early in the season and expensive

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Photos

ponte vecchio
One of the world's famous bridges

Dan on the banks of the Arno
South of the river close to the Ponte St Niccolo

View of the city from the South
Picture from the steep winding path up from the Arno

still in hibernation
A pair of heavily clothed locals take a little Spring sunshine

Piazza della Signoria
An arresting forst impression of the Piazza after walking North from the Ponte Vecchio

beautiful cathedral
the centre peice of the city

Giotto's Bell Tower
At ground level the Bell Tower soars above the surrounding buildings

Bell Tower from above
Giotto's Bell Tower viewed from the viewing platform of the dome

modelling assignment
A famous Italian model does a shoot by the Ponte Vecchio

moped city
More bikes than the Isle of Man on TT week

the florence three
atop the Doumo

Fiorentina
Latest kit of the Seria A giants