I went on a midweek break to Florence in Italy. It was a unique experience. Florence is an interesting city with a bewitching mixture of architecture, art galleries and culture.
The first day , my ex and I spent most of the morning and afternoon at Piazza della Signoria, an L shaped square full of sculptures dating back to the Renaissance period. This square is located halfway between the Duomo and the River Arno.
The Fountain of Neptune is an impressive sight to see , completed in 1565 and sculpted by Bartolomeo Ammannati. The statue of Neptune , standing in the middle of the fountain, a symbol of power drawn by sea horses makes this view quite dramatic.
The magnificent sculpture of Michaelangelo’s David is one of the most recognised works of Renaissance sculpture and can be seen at the Accademia Gallery. The replica of this famous statue stands tall and grand in the square and is a breathtaking sight.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore which is known as the Duomo is almost like an illusion when you first see it , the exterior is covered in decorative mix of pink,white and green marble. The design is spectacular. The massive brick dome can be seen from virtually any high point in the city. We only saw this cathedral from the outside but it’s a beauty to behold.
The following morning was cold and sunny and the day to visit the Ponte Vecchio bridge,went to Gino’s bakery first and had some tasty Italian pastries and expresso. Gino’s is a very famous bakery in Florence. A family owned restaurant and near the south side of Ponte Vecchio bridge.
Ponte Vecchio bridge is a medieval stone 3 arch bridge over the river Arno. It was built in 1345 and the only original bridge in Florence. All the other bridges were destroyed in WWII and rebuilt after the war. The views of the bridge from afar are picturesque . Strolling along the bridge,there are many jewellery and souvenir shops that line the bridge .The views on each side are fantastic. It’s like stepping back in time standing on this bridge and appreciating it’s historical significance.
Early evening we were back at Piazza della Signorio and watched the sunset and the sky turning orange. Afterwards. we found a cosy restaurant nearby to have dinner at. I had ravioli with a side salad and a bottle of Chianti ,all to myself as my ex didn’t drink alcohol.I love Italian desserts but didn’t have room to eat anymore after my food and wine, my ex however had a bowl of profiteroles and a mountain of ice cream.
The next morning ,it was time to say ciao to Florence and fly back to London which greeted us with rain.
A midweek break isn’t long enough to explore Florence. I hope to visit other beautiful cities in Italy someday. The Amalfi coast with it’s enchanting views still remains a dream. A presto.
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