Palazzo Vecchio Florence

We left the modern confines of Pisa Airport by bus and made our way to Florence through the Tuscan countryside. The rolling hills and cypressus trees slowly worked their magic as we stepped back in time. As we entered the city, the distant bells tolled, calling the local people to prayer. We walked from the bus terminal over the large mediaeval …

We checked out of our room in Rome and the tour shuttle picked us up just after 6:30am. After two more stops we were taken to the tour site to transfer to our bus. Roberta is our travel guide. She gave the information in 4 different languages for our group. It's a 3-1/2 drive to Florence driving through 3 different regions ending in the Tuscano …

It was an early start for us on a Saturday morning to continue our next part of the exciting trip to Florence. It's ~ 2 hour duration to Florence from Rome by train. As we had done all of our train tickets booking via Euro Rail, it was a fast one by just heading to the right platform. We planned only for a 1 day trip to Florence and took the Hop in …

This morning began with a visit to the Piazza della Signoria just down the street from Santa Maria del Fiore. This is civic centre of the city of Florence named after the Signoria of Florence; also known as the Priori, who were chosen from the ranks of the guilds of the city. Rising above the L-shaped square is the fourteenth century Palazzo …

This morning was a relatively lazy day as it would be our last full day in Florence before we begin making our way back to Rome; ultimately signally the trip back to our home in Australia. Having experienced and seen so much already in the fortnight already it was fair to say that our senses were a little overwhelmed and, thinking about that …

Friday, July 16, 2010 – Florence

Began the day very early today. Left by 7am to wait in line at the Galleria dell' Accademia, which is the home of Michelangelo’s David sculpture. While waiting outside, we met a young girl form Duluth, Minnesota, who was traveling around Europe for 7 weeks by herself. She had been to Spain, …

Last day today. Very strange, it feels like I haven't been here any time at all and like I've been here too long at the same time.

Sure do miss people. Will be spending the next two and a half weeks sewing for aki and steam cons probably, but whatever. Seriously though.

Today we went to the paleontology museum because we're cool …

In the morning, whole morning, we visited the historic city - Firenze! Firenze, Florence in English, was named of flower. Though today Firenze hasn’t become a flower city, the city is still as beautiful as a garden - flower was changed to the buildings! First, we dropped of by Arno, the river across the city. The view was so fantastic! On the …

... I love the Piazza della Signoria where the Uffizi's are located.  This is also where the famous statue of David and the Palazzo Vecchio are. A visit to the old bridge named "Ponte Vecchio" that leads over the river Arno is magical at night, but ...

... was so good we went back there later that night and go another serving of it!   Anyway, we walked back to the Palazzo Vecchio and decided to check out the courtyard of the offices out - it wasn't really worth waiting in line for the security ...

... so we had a look at the Ponte Vecchio (some crappy looking bridge) which is now lined with gold jewelry selling shops. The Palazzo Vecchio was packed with people also, but looked pretty neat with a copy of Michelangelo's David and an assortment of other ...

... found out from our good friend, Rick Steves, that the right arm was broken off at one stage when it was placed in the Palazzo Vecchio, out in public. We were also surprised to see that David's pupils were actually heart shaped and this was one of the ...

... and takes a quick photo of David and walks off. Makes the two of us look even more absurd. I get a quick cheeky peak inside the Palazzo Vecchio but it doesn't open for hours so I move on. I find myself at the Duomo, again deserted except for a few people ...

... ("Old Palace") is the primary building in the square and the town hall of the city.  Outside the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio is a copy of Michelangelo's David statue placed exactly where the original used to stand.  They say the statue has ...

... of San Giovanni (11-15th century) featuring the huge 'gates of paradise' in gilded bronze (by Ghiberti on 1403), Palazzo Vecchio (now a museum which houses the Mayoral office!) which sits in the Piazza Della Signoria (Florence's most important square, ...

... next time. We also checked out the jewelry store laden Ponte Vecchio, Piazza de Santa Croce with its plethora of leather shops, Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi piazza, along with most of the rest of town. Dinner was at Yellow Bar, a great recommendation. ...

... I headed to the Piazza della Signore to take a few parting snapshots. The impressive view of the David replica against the Palazzo Vecchio screamed to be photographed but little did I know my camera was doing something odd. Behind me were several ...

... anxious to see the countless masterpieces. We are able to visit the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, the Medicis Tomb, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Accademia. We have a bit of trouble with our hostel, and end up sleeping in a room that ...