BAC Green Roads Of Tuscany 2009

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One Side of the Duomo

This was my first free day in Florence. I slept until 7:30 despite all of the noise in the street outside my window. Double earplugs are good. I walked down to the Hotel Montreal where I had breakfast. While sitting in the lobby with my laptop, reading email and publishing blogs, I overheard another guest thanking the front desk clerk about showing him the local bike shop. I had to ask about it, too. She gave me directions. Coincidently, it was near the Accademia where I was heading for my first stop of the day. So I walked to the bike store, Florence by Bike, and browsed around coming away with a Giro d’Italia jersey. This is the first jersey I have ever bought on a foreign trip except in Thailand. On previous trips, they have been too gaudy or have too many ads on them.

I walked over to the Accademia and saw that the line was reasonably short, so I got in line and went in to see David. He looked just like he did the last time I was here but the Rick Steves’ audio guide on my iPhone added perspective to the David and other statues in the museum.

When I got outside, the weather was heating up. I stayed on the shady side of the street as I strolled to the Piazza Signoria and found a little shop that sold pork sandwiches on very fresh, crispy bread. For dessert, I walked to the Ponte Vecchio and found a favorite gelateria. Frutti di bosco and chocolate mousse were my choices.

My feet and back were getting pretty sore from walking. I slowed down and walked back to the Duomo where I started Rick Steves’ audio tour of Renaissance Florence. It spent a lot of time around the Duomo talking about it, the Baptistery, and Giotto’s tower. Then it walked me down via Calzaiuoli, an almost car-free street, past the Orsanmichele church. This church has several statues in niches around its exterior including two by Donatello – St George and St Mark. Inside the church it was cool and I could rest my tired body.

The tour continued to Piazza Signoria and pointed out interesting things around the square including the Palazzo Vecchio, the Ufffizi Galery and the Ponte Vecchio.

I slogged very slowly back to my room. After resting and taking a shower I was almost ready to go out onto the streets again.

I went down to the Hotel Montreal and used the internet for awhile. Then I came back to my room to check on the Giro d’Italia. While watching it and CNN, I dozed a little. The last two weeks were catching up to me.

Trattoria 13 Gobbi

I was going to eat at Trattoria d’Italia but it was closed (on Saturday night?). I then decided to go to Trattoria 13 Gobbi where we have eaten at least two times before. I had grilled swordfish with boiled potatoes and carrots along with some zucchini and beans. I also had a mixed salad. It felt really good to get some vegetables. The food was good, but what I’ll remember was someone’s wash hanging above my table and two men who were being fawned over by the staff. They were eating and drinking a lot. One of them would break out in a song from time to time.

I got back to my hotel at 9:00. Tomorrow I leave the Hotel Elite to our first hotel on the tour which is on the other side of the river. I’m also going to visit the Ufffizi Galery.