Firenze!

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Firenze in the fall=frenetic, filled with tourists, fantastically photogenic (but hard to capture with a camera)... Well, before I get too carried away with the alliterations, I plan to give a BRIEF summary of each day's adventures, and tell the story mostly with pictures--I know that's what you want, anyway!

Day 1--We awoke to rain :-( and Dave starting to feel a cold coming on :-( :-( Chris had to go to Sienna for a class, so we spent the day revisiting some of our favorite haunts from previous visit: Santa Croce, Piazza della Signoria, Duomo Plaza, etc. Dinner at Osteria di Giovanni, where we were sat in the "American tourist" room in the back--felt a little disenfranchised, but our waiter was very good. The food was good, but not as wonderful as we'd hoped... But really, who can complain about pear and pecorino tortelloni!

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Photos

Santa Maria Novella Plaza
Right around the corner from our hotel... The morning rain cleared by by the early afternoon.

Interior of Santa Croce
The ever-present scaffolding blocked the altar area, but it was fascinating watching the restoration work being done.

Michelangelo's Tomb
Inside Santa Croce Church

Gallileo's Tomb
This was covered with scaffolding the last time we were here...

Baroncelli Chapel, Santa Croce
Beautiful altar, with painting by Giotto surrounded by frescoes by Tadeo Gaddi, both done in the 1300's

Saint Francis' Cowl & Belt???
So says the caption

Famous Cruxcifixion by Cimabue
Badly damaged in the 1966 flood in Florence

Casa Buonarotti
The house Michelangelo bought for his nephew/family members, now transformed into a museum of dubious worth. Gets our vote for biggest rip-off of the trip.

Lunch on the Piazza Santa Croce
Worn out from sight-seeing, we indulge a late lunch of appetizer plate and wine.

Palazzo Vecchio
The old city hall turned Medici palace in the Piazza della Signoria

The "Fake David"
Always a good tourist shot...

Rape of the Sabine Women, Piazza della Signoria
Gianbologna's sculpture in the Loggia never fails to impress.

Persius by Cellini
One of Chris' favorites

Neptune and the Two Towers
The Neptune sculpture in the Piazza della Signoria is flanked by the towers of the Badia Fiorentina and the Bargello Museum.

Refuge at the End of the Day
Our hotel room's balcony

Dave in Repose
Done with daily gelato, getting ready for some wine... Just what the doctor ordered for that cold!