Florence & Lucca (post lockdown)

I did remember what a stunningly beautiful City it is. And visiting just after lockdown was lifted here in Italy it was more like visiting a provincial town. We were blessed to be sharing this gem of a City with only Italians and locals.

Before parking the car and checking into our hotel for 2 nights, we stopped at Piazza Michelangelo and not only savoured our picnic but also the fabulous and iconic view of the City, the Arno and the many bridges that cross it.

It was a hot few days therefore we welcomed the shade of the cool cobbled streets and alleyways. Numbers were limited in the Accademia Gallery and the Duomo (which had just opened on the day we visited) so we were able to walk at our leisure around the Statue of David and view the beautiful terracotta roof tops and Giotto’s Bell Tower from the terraces of the Cathedral.

The best way to enjoy any Italian City is to walk and Florence is small enough to explore on foot. We were blown away by the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza Della Signoria and crossing the Ponte Vecchio at night sitting for a while to listen to the buskers is a must. The markets always provide an insight into local life and you can’t beat sipping an Aperol spritz and savouring artisanal gelato on the banks of the Arno.

A highlight for us was crossing the river to the Oltrarno (literally – the other side of the Arno) and enjoying ‘Bistecca Fiorentina’ in a family run restaurant off the beaten track and joining the local crowd in the genuine heart of the City – Piazza Santo Spirito.

I think we will pop back soon!

Before heading off home we called into lovely laid-back Lucca – a beautiful Italian town surrounded by an imposing Renaissance wall (walk or bike around the walls for views of the City) and stuffed with cobbled streets and wonderful piazzas. We were lucky enough to be there on a market day – many of the piazzas and streets were packed with antique market stalls – a wonderful way to walk off our lunch.