Birthday Weekend in Florence
Florence can be reached from Pisa by either train or bus, both are reasonably priced but we decided on the bus which took an hour so that we could see the picturesque Tuscan countryside on the way.
We stayed at the 4* Brunelleschi Hotel which is located just behind the Piazza Del Duomo where the famous Duomo Santa Maria Fiore (cathedral) is located. Every time you look at the cathedral it looks different as the light reflects from the famous dome, I have hundreds of photo’s to prove it!
Florence is easy to get around on foot without walking too far. There are many places to visit; see the amazing sculptures by Michelangelo and Leonardo De Vinci at the Uffizi, Michelangelo’s famous ‘David’ sculpture at the Academy Gallery (here the queues can be long so I recommend going early). Walk across the river Arno via the Ponte Vecchio bridge - the only bridge in Florence to survive WW2, visiting the tiny jewellery stores as you go across. Then walk up to the Piazzale Michelangelo (there are lots of steps so not for the faint hearted) to see the most amazing view of Florence, the one you see in all the pictures of Florence. If you want to get away from it all walk around the stunning Boboli Gardens at Palazzo Pitti; an ideal way to while away an afternoon.
Eating in Florence is as cheap or expensive as you want to make it, there are lovely outdoor restaurants on the piazzas serving delicious pizza and pasta or there are many fine dining experiences. A must is the Gelato (ice cream). Florence is famous for its Gelato, there is a Gelato shop on nearly every corner serving most amazing choice of different flavours.
Visit Florence and you will want to return. I know I do……………