06/02/2012

Florence

Today we slept in until 9 and got up and had breakfast in our hotel. We had decided today we would to the Hop on Hop off bus around Florence as it is the best way to get around and see everything. The bus we got on had an open roof so we sat down stairs; the breeze that was drifting down was cold enough for us! There was no snow in Florence and wasn't as cold as some of the other places we had visited. No shorts and t-shirt weather but the temperatures were above zero!

The first stop we got off at was the statue of David, as the next bus wasn't coming back for another hour we were hesitant to get off but the driver said we could have five minutes to go and have a look at it as it is an iconic part of Florence.

Our next stop I made Trav get off at the Ponte Vecchio and walk along it with me looking and picking out unrealistic jewellery with me, however I did buy a charm for my bracelet! Again the next bus was going to be an hour away so at the opposite end of the bridge was a café and we went in and had an Italian hot chocolate, a first for Trav. We walked back soon after to wait for our bus, we didn't want to risk missing it again, apart from the Ponte Vecchio there isn't really a lot to do around that side of Florence and there was a freezing wind today that went straight through you. After waiting for 5ish minutes Trav realised that he had left his backpack at the café and ran after it, and of course as soon as he ran off the bus turned up and we missed it, you would think he would have learnt after four times!! Luckily I spotted a bus coming up the street that had Firenze S.N written on the front and that is not far from where we are staying. On the way back we went to the markets just down the road from us and Trav experienced his first meloncello. Everyone was trying to sell us things but most things were the same, belts, jackets, bags, masks and t-shirts but I held back as the more I buy the more I have to carry and my bag is heavy enough!!

That late afternoon we went to Il Duomo and walked around, as I had already seen it and Trav wasn't really that interested we didn't stay long. We went and had an early dinner at Hard Rock Café which was not far from where we were. After some nachos and three cocktails each we were pretty warm and happy. We had ordered meals but they were hardly touched, we really didn't need them but oh well, they looked good!

Sweet dreams,

Bree and Trav

xox