David Does Florence

From Siena, we drove to Florence (about 40 mi) and dropped off our rental car at the airport. During the taxi ride to the hotel, our first impression was: "What a dirty city!" The buildings all kind of looked old and dingy. It didn't feel like there was much personality. Of course, we kept an open mind since Florence supposedly offered the best gelato and museums in Italy. We would have to see for ourselves. We checked into Hotel Alba (no Jessica though, darn it!) which had an elevator that fit a max of two people. The streets and sidewalks were much narrower in Florence than in Rome. We saw the Duomo, Medici's Palace, San Lorenzo's market (lots of leather goods, big gaudy belts and extra-large MaryKate and Ashley sunglasses). We also visited the Uffizi (art gallery) and Accademia (the David), where photos are not allowed but Benjamin managed to snap one anyway.

Our favorite things about Florence:
1. The David - words cannot even begin to describe this Michelangelo masterpiece
2. Gelato - stracciatella (vanilla w/choc. chips) for Karen and pistachio for Benny
3. Trattoria Trebbio - our favorite restaurant (we loved the bread soup and lamb)
4. The evening scenery - especially the bridges (see picture below)
5. The drunk Americans outside our hotel who were yelling "We need a Whopper!" at 2am

More pictures of Florence

Florence bridge/Piazza Santa Maria Novella:









Duomo/Hotel Alba's tiny elevator: