Favorite Memory:I loved capturing these photos of Dick, a fellow Rick Steves traveler, hamming it up with a street mime.
An observation from Rick Steves is that out-going people have more fun on their travels. An observation from me is that watching out-going people is a lot of fun too.
Travelers' Tips:According to Ben, tour guide and gelato connoisseur, avoid the gelato shops that display brightly-colored wares. They use food coloring to achieve that effect, not natural ingredients.
Accommodating Accommodations:The entrance to this charming hotel was tucked between two store fronts - blink and you'll miss it. It was a short walk from several of Florence's major sights: the Duomo (Cathedral), Ponte Vecchio (covered bridge), and the Uffizi Gallery. Although the long flight of steps was a little daunting after a busy day of walking, once we got to our spacious, comfortable room, all our pain was forgotten.
Hotel Accademia Via Faenza 7 Florence, 50123 ITALY Tel: 011 39 06 482 3920 Pinch Me. I Can't Believe We're Here! |
Some transportation hiccups resulted in a later than planned arrival in Florence. We joined our tour group in the middle of the get-acquainted meeting and hit the ground running. Fortunately, we had already spent a few days in Europe so jet-lag wasn't an issue. We met our group and our tour guide, Ben, and then went on an introductory walk through this art-filled city. Unfortunately a number of museums in Florence do not allow photography inside, so a mental picture had to suffice. Can you see it? It's beautiful! :)
(For more about Rick Steves tour guides, click here.) Florence is almost littered with art. Here, art and crowds spill out of the Loggia. In the center is a famous bronze statue of Perseus holding the head of Medusa.
The Ponte Vecchio is abuzz with business during the day...
and awash with romance at night. |