Our first steps over the Arno on the legendary Ponte Vecchio – Florence’s jewelry box with a view. People watching, jewelry browsing, and a beautiful view of the city. Tea time on the Ponte Vecchio with Isaac, savoring every sip… little did I know this would be my last healthy moment for a hot sec! *cue the suspense Our first look at Florence’s crown jewel, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Brunelleschi’s dome and the vibrant marble facade are absolutely mesmerizing. The devil’s in the details… and so are Florence’s finest. Every inch of the Duomo’s doors tells a story - it’s like a mini art museum at the front door. Golden hour on the Arno – this view made us fall a little more in love with Florence. This is a view we knew we would not get tired of. Florence knows how to do Christmas right – twinkling lights, festive decor, and charming shops all decked out. And we hadn't even seen the Christmas market yet... Florence, you win this round! A rough 48 hours with this bowl as my sidekick – and just as American Thanksgiving was rolling around. Perhaps a sign to skip this year's turkey feast. Also, note the slippers that were originally featured in our Basel adventure. Finally upright and exploring Florence again! We took in the city’s streets and views at a "gentle" pace (never held a gentle pace in my life). Straight from bed to the endless stairs of Piazzale Michelangelo – but it was worth it. This viewpoint offers the whole cityscape with the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Arno stretching out before you. Isaac has finally met his match. Neptune means business. Channeling my inner art historian at the Uffizi! Renaissance masterpieces all around and then, this? It was one of the temporary exhibits on display - I think it offered an interesting contrast to the other pieces. A window view fit for the Medici – Florence laid out like a postcard. Our first encounter with the Christmas cookies at the market, we dove right in! These treats were almost too pretty to eat (almost). Sipping mulled wine with Santa Croce as our backdrop – it doesn’t get cozier than this! I am convinced that mulled wine can fix just about anything. Santa Croce, take two – but this time, with snacks. We’re essentially on a Florence food tour, one booth at a time. Bundled up and embracing Florence’s chilly side while cheering on the marathoners! Couldn't be me... just kidding that was me 8 months prior. Exploring Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, the world’s oldest pharmacy dating back to 1221! History smells pretty amazing here, hence the 300+ euro perfumes. The pharmacy also offered a light show featuring centuries-old fragrances. Bonus museum day! The Opificio delle Pietre Dure features art made from semi-precious stones (The Florentine mosaic). This was unexpected but some of the most unique art we saw throughout our entire trip. Our cozy Florence corner café, where we spent hours reading and people-watching. There were lots of university students here who were always "studying" (mostly chatting with their textbooks open). The first stop of our guided wine tour! Not too many pictures here as we spent the time eating, talking to the other guests, and of course, drinking. Almost everyone was from different parts of the US. Our guide was incredible and made us feel right at home. The last part of the tour was at the personal residence of the owners of the winery. Meet Anna, our incredible guide and resident expert in all things Tuscan. She made every sip and story memorable. Just the beginning of our feast! When the appetizers look like this, you know the main course is going to be epic (which we had little room for after demolishing this). Back at the market, we found the holy grail: a stand dedicated to every potato dish you can imagine. Braving the stairs again to see the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. Hard beat this view! As you can see, a lot of other people agree with us. A tiny glimpse of the magical sunset here in Florence. The Uffizi looking majestic from across the Arno. Art even from the outside! We heard that Florence had an incredible music scene so we found a hot spot to enjoy some jazz. Final stop at the Pitti Palace – home to lavish rooms, grand gardens, and all things Medici. The wealth is evident in the sheer number of chandeliers. Art. Kürtőskalács – it’s a mouthful to say (and I'm not going to say I attempted), but so worth it! This fluffy, sweet chimney cake became an instant favorite. The view he sees. The view she sees. The view we see. As fitting in another museum wasn't in the cards, we opted to see the Michaelgo replica instead.
