Toscana, Italy Trip: Day 3
Friday, October 15, 2006 – Florence
On Friday morning after breakfast our bus set out for Florence, about 2 ½ hours from our hotel. Florence, or Firenze as they say in Italian, is a city of about half a million inhabitants, situated on the banks of the Arno River, between the Triennia and the Adriatic sea’s. As we rode to Florence we noticed that the landscape changed from contrasting coast line/alpine to rolling hillsides and vineyards that many tourists associate with Toscana.
Florence was home to many famous artists, sculptures and architects, including Cimabue, Giotto, Pisano, Brunelleschi, Masaccio, and so many more. The city seems to be filled with museums, galleries and monuments. The few hours that we spent in Florence were entirely inadequate, there is just so much to see.
One of the larger squares that we visited was the Piazza della Signoria, which one flyer referred to as being the political symbol of Florence for the past 600 years. Many fine sculptures, museums and galleries can be accessed from this square.
Another landmark that we visited was the fascinating cathedral St. Maria del Flore, located in the Piazza del Duomo (Dome Plaza), which was built during 1296 and 1461. One can only stand in awe before this magnificent structure.
I think that which will leave the most lasting impression from Florence is not the sculptures, cathedrals, etc., but the drivers! Yes you read that right, the Florence drivers have got to be the best in the world. I mean the way they weave in and out of traffic is scary, I saw time and time again three cars driving in two lanes. Worse yet is the scooter and motorcycle drivers, they whiz between cars and buses with only a hair’s breath on each side – I had to close my eyes, I thought I was going to see blood and gore. I have decided that I will never, ever drive in Florence, no way!
We returned a little early to the hotel from Florence. My wife wanted to take a nap, so I went for an hour walk, speed-walking along private beaches in Cinquale. There are very few open beaches in Cinquale, tourists must pay up to $60 a day for the privilege of using one of the dozens of private beach fronts.