Italy - Grandeur of Florence ~

We spend the morning relaxing.  I took notes about our trip, while others painted.  A beautiful place - easy to imagine the life style of the family - from several centuries ago.  So utterly different - with a feel entirely it's own.  The group decided that it would be a good day to take the train to Florence. We bought tickets from the machine inside the small station.  It was only about a half-hour ride into Florence.  I had no idea what to expect - but grand is the first word that comes to mind.

Train Station at Rignano~

  Our goal was the public market for lunch & shopping - with sightseeing along the way.  Totally unfamiliar with international travel, let alone Europe, I was impressed.  Seeing pictures is so different from actually being there.  Something I knew - but didn't fully recognize.  The narrow streets prevent all the vehicle traffic that clogs American cities.

Walking the streets~

I think there were eleven of us on this day.  We played follow the leader to a bank.  One of our group mentioned not using the smaller cash machines - that could be easily moved - with possibly your card information inside.  Instead we found a stone & mortar bank with Europe's version of an ATM in the lobby.  Now, how to use the machine?  It was a case of how many people does it take to figure out which keys to press?  Lucky for us all - a wonderful gentleman came by;  introduced himself as having lived in New York City & walked us through the process step by step!

Santa Maria Novella~

This building was just a short distance from the Train Station.  Stunning both architectural style & incredible detail.

Overpowering in their grandeur~

It was like walking through an art museum of huge, colorful oil paintings.  In the background you can just see the Duomo~  The lines to enter are long & we wanted to see more of the city.

Booths at the Market

We were also - starved!  We found the indoor market, the smell of food would have taken us there - if nothing else!  On the second floor were picnic style tables with vendor booths all around.  A few of us held a large table, while the remainder went to search out food.  I was glad I'd waited, because once they returned, we could see some of the enormous variety available.

Pasta - the Italian staple~

Courtney & I decided to divide & conquer.  She went for drinks, I went for food.  I'd seen some type of a stuffed bread that looked delicious.  I found the booth!  You had a choice of squid, ham, or zucchini.  I decided on one each of the ham & zucchini & cheese.  The outer dough was golden brown with a crust something like cornbread.  On the counter, was a stack of what looked like cannoli shells.  I asked about them?  The proprietress took one, broke a piece off, filled it with something white & handed it to me.  Oh YES!  I had to have one of those!  I'm now a die-hard fan of Cannoli!

Scaffolding~

After lunch, we planned to take the double-decker bus tour to the Abby of San Miniato al Monte.  These busses pull up outside the train station & just as we arrived, one left.  Thinking we'd literally missed the bus, another pulled in within minutes.

Arno River

The Arno River was quietly flowing by - so picturesque.

Just for "scale"

It was hard not to be impressed when the bus stopped at a light & I looked up to see the huge tower above.  I've yet to find out it's history.  Soon, we were climbing up off the main streets of the city & through an area with huge trees.

Through the trees~

The homes were beautiful, stately & immaculately maintained.  We disembarked at the Piazzale Michelangelango - to the sight of one of the replica's of David.

David~

Against a  sky full of thunderheads -  it was a majestic sight even placed in the middle of a parking lot.  Just a short walk further, we came to the stairs leading to the San Miniato Monte Bisilica.

Climbing the steps~

 Imposing, more imposing the higher we climbed.

San Miniato al Monte

Considered one of the most scenic in Tuscany - it was easy to see why.

Cathedral interior~

Many pictures have been taken of the interior.   It's impossible to appreciate the scope or size.  The marble columns were massive, I had to touch one.  Sadly, over the years graffiti had been etched into the pillars as high a people could reach.

Walking out, I took the walkway past the bell tower to the cemetery.  Tucked into the hillside, it had a feeling of quiet serenity.   The burial place of Pinocchio's author.  The variety of the monuments was amazing, as was the artistic talent that went into creating them.

Looking north~

With the thunderheads billowing overhead & a light breeze, it was an incredible day to be in a place of such religious significance.  As I was walking the grounds, I found a flat piece of marble, almost like a puzzle piece laying on the stone of the walkway.  I picked it up & continued on.  Around a corner I looked down & found the spot where the piece fit.

Duomo

From the plaza area - the views were just breathtaking.  The overcast & light wind added to the surreal allure.  It was as though I was standing in a place where time stood still...

Arnolfo Tower~

I had to zoom in to get Arnolfo Tower.  It's unique look was so distinguishing.  Returning to the bus stop - we caught the last one before the end of the day's tour schedule.  A Gelato vender had the perfect spot for a quick stop.  Gelato is now my new favorite for cold, creamy deliciousness!

Our Tour Bus Route~

The Garmin recorded our route for the day - on foot & by bus.

The video above - was on our way back to the station.  I sat on top, at the front & put the camera on a padded grab bar. The streets actually look wider in the video!  Pedestrians went about their business totally unconcerned.  I saw one guy on his bike, with earbuds & eating a sandwich!  Small cars are the norm & scooters were everywhere!  It was fun to see all the cars come to a stop at an intersection, the scooters catch up, coast to the front & be first off when the light changed!

Florence~

The sun was setting as we returned to the train station.  We bought our tickets & climbed aboard one of the smaller commuter trains.  From the hill, this view gave me a grand overall feel for the city.  What a magnificent place!