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Entry to the stairs to the top
As you enter the climb to the top of the dome of the Duomo, in Florence, you see a warning of the steps: 463! Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Florence, Italy
We had big plans for this full day in Florence. We hoped to see the Bargello, Accademia, and the Duomo on Tuesday and then the Uffizi Gallery and Medici Chapels on Wednesday before driving to Sorrento. Well, we did even more.
We started right on schedule at the Bargello. We had reservations but really did not need them as we were just after opening. The museum includes sculpture of Michelangelo, Donatello, and many Medici treasures. After this tour we walked north to the impressive Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Not satisfied to just look at this beautiful dome, we decided to climb to the top. It is 463 steps to the top!! I got to say that I got winded a couple of times but we made it all the way. It was fascinating how the dome was built; and all this without computers, calculators or Ipods. The view at the top was stunning. Thank goodness for digital cameras. I would have wasted a couple of rolls of 35mm film if digital hadn’t been invented.
After the walk down, we took in the nearby Baptistery, and then headed north to the Academia to see
Jackie makes good progress
Note that she's got the Rick Steve's Italy guide book...our new bible. Michelangelo’s David. Then to top it off, we returned past the Duomo again on down south to the Uffizi Gallery. We may have set a modern day record for seeing so much culture in so little time.
Before leaving Atlanta, I found and downloaded many of Rick Steve’s European “walking tours.” It had turned out to be perfect for us. I get to use my new IPhone and Jackie and I share the headphones, walking real close, listening to the walking tour. For those of you that are not familiar with Rick, he has become my hero. We have tried many of his recommendations and agree with them all.
Plus, he has a great sense of humor. While in one gallery, we are looking at a stature of Venus by someone famous. The room was full of tour groups carefully listening to their guides. About now Rick says, on the left you will see the great stature of Venus. And on the right you’ll see what is sometimes called “Venus with a Penis.” This was another nice marble sculpture but looked just like the other, only this time it was a man. Well, Jackie and I are cracking up laughing
The view from the top
Next to the dome is the Tower. while getting odd stares from the others in the room.
After this, we chose to walk back to the hotel. By now it was about 4:00pm. We got within a couple hundred yards and had to stop for some wine and water. Finally, in the room, we took baths and naps. Later, we found another of Rick’s recommended restaurants and were very pleased.
After dinner with some fine wine, I could not make myself turn on the computer. In fact I am now writing about Tuesday, on Wednesday evening. Hopefully, tomorrow I can write about today and tomorrow. Wow, that’s confusing. Maybe it’s the wine I drank tonight. Jackie is already asleep. We are in Sorrento now but I’ll explain our trip here in my next blog.
See ya, Tom & Jackie
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Rick
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I'm glad you liked Florence
Wow, you guys did everything! I really do love Florence. And I agree about Rick Steve's too. I took his book everywhere when I was in Ireland. Rock on!