6 Oct Sunday - Florence

For me, the best way to describe Florence is quite simply 'fabulous'.

I would have to admit I was not feeling so crash hot with a dreadful cough and cold so there I was on the coach with a double dose of schnapps ( as insisted by our tour director - just imagine how sick I would have been without it!!) and some throath lozenges - also provided by C the tour director.

Kermy and his Spanish and Austrian friend looked on and eyed the schnapps but I drank it all.

In the morning, we were taken to leather goods shop that specialises for the continuous flow of tour groups. If I had been able in any way to justify it, I would have bought a lovely soft leather jacket.  Alas, I couldn't.  I will have to increase my social activity or throw out my existing clothes and return to purchase one of these lovely items.

Then, we had some free time and were going to go into the Basilica of Santa Croc ( as we have only been to about 400 churches so far ) but it being Sunday, it was closed to tourists until 2pm by which time we would be on a tour of another place. It was built in 1294 - just a short time ago.

The main interest in this Cathedral for me was not because I'm a sucker for punishment but rather it was the place where a number of wonderful people were buried - Michelangelo ( gold star in my books), Rossini and Machiavelli.

I felt a bit disappointed to have missed going inside but as the afternoon tour took place, I thought 'Wow' I could spend days exploring all these other places.  How is it possible for so many wonderful things to be in one place?  Mind you, I seem to say that about every place we have visited - except Casablanca.

We then saw the Cathedral ( below) less than one klm away I guess. It that was so ridiculously large and opulent I just thought, this really is crazy land.

Surprisingly ( not ) we spied a lion or two or more.  

How could I support anyone in footy but the Lions!

I just marvelled at the beauty and creativity of these master pieces.

I didn't get a good shot of the copy of Michelangelo's David, but we did go into the Accademia Gallery and saw the real thing as well as other works.  There are so many Museums and Galleries in Florence and we only had time for about an hour in one.  

 I could easily have spent days more in Florence.  I feel I will have to return to this glorious place that houses so many beautiful things. So many sculptures are on public display as well, it is quite incredible.

We felt 'at home' with the discussion of the influence of the Medici family, the Borgias and of course Michaelangelo - ( reference the TV series with Jermery Irons as the Pope in 'The Borgias' as well as 'Michaelangelo and his Demons'). 

When you are surrounded by beauty, you take so much for granted.  This building in the square is but an example which on close examination shows it has been adorned with paintings in probably typically Florentine way.

One peculiar little thing I noted were these unusual little 'booths' for cafe/ restaurant patrons in a couple of the 'back streets'. I guess they keep snow/ rain off patrons wishing to dine outside but as they only accommodate two people I couldn't really see how they could be practical - and they do look odd!!

Our day tour of Florence was over and we had the evening of food and wine in Tuscany hills ahead.

Our evening meal and entertainment was at the Tuscany 'farmhouse' (commercial) setup of restaurant Tre Pini of the chef owner Libero. It is a massive business catering for the many tour groups with dinners and entertainment in separate rooms for each group of 20- 40 people.  The tour coaches just keep rolling up and I guess they are set up to cater for this massive demand that one gets in Europe.  Libero also has his own wine label and conducts Tuscany cooking classes for those who have the time, skill, interest and the money.

The meal included a buffet entre of about 20 dishes - I wish I had taken a photo. 

Whatever I selected ( and I tried to get a morsel of at least 10 of the dishes onto my plate) was delicious and I wish I had gone back for more rather than tasting each type of wine that was presented.  By the time I was thinking about seconds, the entres had been cleared and the buffet set up for the next group and we were on to the main courses. Drat!

 A group serve of one of the main courses of steak.

The most memorable part of the evening for me was not the meal (I didn't tell the chef) but the guitar playing and singing which was a lovely way to end our night in Florence.

The next day it was up and away to Lucerne, Switzerland.