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It's hot (36 degrees), it's early and after a big night it is all a little hard. We have a leather demonstration where we get to see the traditional Florentine method of creating leather & their one of a kind jewellery box. We learn a couple of handy tips for identifying real leather, as the markets here are full of fake pleather, and then are taken into their shop (of course). But we are tempted by the lovely leather bags & both walk out owning some amazing Florentine leather - WOW.
Soon after we are off on a walking tour around the city centre, a local guide gives us the inside track on the striking buildings and sacred art in this beautiful city. We see the Duomo, the Basilica Santa Croce, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Piazza della Signoria (the main town square). Here we see a equestrian statue of Cosimo I, Cellini's Perseus, Giambologna's Rape of the Sabine Women, and the Fountain of Neptune. There is even an exact replica of Michelangelo's David, we can see without having to lining up - there is many a tourist taking a photo of this one.
We are all desperately trying to pay attention, but after a hour in the heat, we are all fading fast, the tour is soon wrapped up and we are off to find lunch before we hit the coach, this afternoon we are headed for Rome.
We get to Rome quite late, but the temperature has dropped so we have a walk about town to see the both the Trevi Fountain & the Pantheon. The Trevi Fountain is mesmerising, and well worth the visit, legend is that you should throw three coins over your left shoulder with your right hand, the first for luck, the second for love, and the third to return you to Rome. The Pantheon was a feat of amazing ancient engineering, the dome inspired Brunellesch's dome in Florence, which in turn inspired Michelangelo's dome in the Vatican. We get to enjoy some Italian gelato as we take in the view before heading off to dinner.
The day is getting late, but we have one more stop, and I would love to go see again, Michelangelo's Keyhole - a wooden door way that leads to the gardens of the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta that possess a keyhole with a view. When you look through the keyhole you can see the dome of St. Peter's Basilica framed by the hedges of the gardens within - spectacular and a little bit quirky.
After a big day, we are ready to fall into bed.
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