Florence
Day 7, Arrival In Florence
We are pretty much obsessed with Florence. It is the ideal size- so walkable- and it's the perfect mix of a modern and historic city. There is plenty to do without feeling overwhelmed, and the ambiance of it all is to die for. The love of Florence runs in Kristin's blood. Her mom studied abroad here in the 70s and is similarly affected by the city.
View from Hotel Torre Guelfa's Terrace
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Ceramiche D'Arte Riccen Giuliano
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Santa Maria Novella
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Each time we go to Florence, there a a few things we must do 1) visit our favorite ceramics shop, Ceramiche D'Arte Riccen Giuliano, 2) buy art from a specific artist at the leather market 3) eat at Zaza's and 4) visit the pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella. We have come to know the artisans and appreciate their crafts at the ceramics shop and watercolor stand. Visiting the shops is as much to visit with them as it is to get a little something to take home. But the #1 thing we never forget to do in Florence, is to sit back, relax, and bask in its beauty.
The terrace of our hotel, the Hotel Torre Guelfa, is a great place to relax. It has a panoramic view of the city, including the Duomo, Arno River and Palazzo Vecchio, thanks to the old tower. The tower was built prior to 1340 when the wealthy Buondelmonti family lived here. The tower was built for protection, but was also a sign of a family's wealth and power. The bigger, the better!
We skipped over the Academia and the Uffitzi while we were her since we have both been recently, but if you haven't been, it's not something to miss!
The terrace of our hotel, the Hotel Torre Guelfa, is a great place to relax. It has a panoramic view of the city, including the Duomo, Arno River and Palazzo Vecchio, thanks to the old tower. The tower was built prior to 1340 when the wealthy Buondelmonti family lived here. The tower was built for protection, but was also a sign of a family's wealth and power. The bigger, the better!
We skipped over the Academia and the Uffitzi while we were her since we have both been recently, but if you haven't been, it's not something to miss!
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The above images are of the Festa della Rificolona (Festival of the Lanterns). It celebrates the eve of the birth of the Virgin Mary (some say that it celebrates Florence's victory over Siena in 1555). Hundreds of lanterns are paraded around town. The men in costume led the parade. We stumbled upon the festival by chance!
We enjoyed dinner at Trattoria Rati on Via Faenza and tried the spinach and ricotta ravioli with truffle cream sauce! We followed dinner by walking around the city and enjoying its beauty in night.
We enjoyed dinner at Trattoria Rati on Via Faenza and tried the spinach and ricotta ravioli with truffle cream sauce! We followed dinner by walking around the city and enjoying its beauty in night.
Day 8, My Birthday in Florence
Could there possibly be a better way to spend your birthday than being in Florence on your honeymoon? I think not!
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One of the best views of Florence is obtained by hiking up to, San Miniato al Monte, the little church on the hillside. The church is architecturally significant and worth a look, but the moderate walk is usually made for the view behind Taylor in the picture above. And what a view it is. WOW! Are we right or are we right?
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After changing out of our climbing clothes, we headed over to the leather market and purchased two beautiful watercolors by the man pictured above. He sits in the same spot behind the Medici Chapel year after year. What a great artist! Locals frequently come by and ask him to paint specific things. This time, a local had her dog painted for her husband!
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Another fun stop we made is the leather school at Santa Croce. We just went to look at the process of how things are made, and Kristin reminisced about coming here as a child and her mother buying her a leather coin purse.
Birthday ice cream was had at Perche, No! National Geographic ranked it one of the top ten places to have ice cream in the world! Apparently, others agree because the place was packed!
Birthday ice cream was had at Perche, No! National Geographic ranked it one of the top ten places to have ice cream in the world! Apparently, others agree because the place was packed!
View from Hotel Terrace
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Cheese Plate at Zaza's
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We savored a glass of wine on the hotel's terrace and watched the sun set. It was spectacular. Our cocktail hours were followed by a walk across town to Trattoria Zaza's where we shared a cheese plate. For the entree, we shared a grilled meat plate and Kristin's all-time favorite Italian dish- Walnut Ravioli! Mama Mia!
We didn't get to Zaza's early enough to be seated outside without a wait, so we waited- it's worth it! While doing so, we spoke with a woman who has been coming to Florence every year for 13 years, and she only eats here when she comes. Her pro recommendation on what to order includes all the dishes with truffle oil.
Our night ended with a stop to rub the boar's nose. We already can't wait to go back!
We didn't get to Zaza's early enough to be seated outside without a wait, so we waited- it's worth it! While doing so, we spoke with a woman who has been coming to Florence every year for 13 years, and she only eats here when she comes. Her pro recommendation on what to order includes all the dishes with truffle oil.
Our night ended with a stop to rub the boar's nose. We already can't wait to go back!
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Why rub the boar's nose?
It's an authenticated fact* that rubbing the boar's nose will bring you back to Florence. It's worked 5 times for Kristin so far. Pictures for proof below. It's worked for Taylor too! *not actually an authenticated fact, but hey, it can't hurt! |
2009
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2013
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1997?
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2007
I'm missing one picture of rubbing the boar's nose in the early 2000s.
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2009
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2013
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