Climbing the Dome

Today is our last real day in Florence! 😦 We had a free day (except a dinner at 8:30) so we decided to see the Duomo because we have past it about a hundred time since we got here. We bought our ticket and went to the some because it opened the earliest.( 10€ to see the some, tower, baptistry, cathedral, and crypts.)

We climbed the 463 stair to the top and both agreed that that alone was worth the 10€! About half way you enter a walkway that runs around the dome and directly under the painting.

We then climbed the rounded stair case that takes you up the inside of the dome to the tip top. The view was stunning. We could see for miles and because we went early the too wasn’t crowded.

We stayed on the top for about 15 minutes then headed down the dome. It’s harder because for a few flights you share a stair way with people going up and you have to squeeze. When we exited at the bottom we headed straight for the bell tower and climbed it’s 417 steps. This climb is great because the stairs are wider and there are 3 large viewing platforms before reaching the top. The view from the top was incredible too because you look right at the Dome.

We befriended a British Woman whose husband was too afraid to climb the tower. We climbed down and then got in the short line to enter the main Cathedral. It wasn’t as exciting as St. Peter’s in Rome but the Old crypts were cool to see.

After we finished the church we walked over to the baptistry. This inside dome was beautiful! We looked around then headed to lunch to our favorite Sandwich place. You order as much as you want on it (meat out only get 1 kind but they pile it one!) and the bread is amazing!! We got tomato paste, artichoke paste, tomatoes, egg plant, arugula, picorono cheese and turkey. Taylor and I split it again cause it was so large!

After we walked around for a while then through the leather market to meet Allison at the FUA bakery shop Fedora. Allison and Taylor got Americano’s and we sat and talked. They were close to closing and have us a free sample plate of their almond and cream pound cake. The middle was like ice cream! It was very good.

When they closed at 3:00pm we decided to wander for the last time through the streets of Florence for the last time! We ended up at a new organic gelato shop where I got cinnamon and apple (sorry but this was better even than Grom!!!) and Taylor got red wine (yes red wine gelato!) and cream. Both hit the spot on this hot day.

After we wandered around and then back to the apartment at around 4:30pm to change for the fashion Aportivo and then our final dinner. I’ll try to post about them tomorrow but it’s going to be a late night! Such a successful last day!

Sip life, don’t shot it!

Today began with another yummy breakfast at our hotel and then headed over to the Apicus School to start our walking your. Our your guide was great! Very energetic and informative. We walked first to the Food Market. This was by far my favorite place, it’s an indoor market with tons of mini stores with specialty foods.

We toured around and learned about their shopping “norms”. You buy for that days meals only, you buy fresh, and you buy as local as possible. We even saw a Tripe, lower cow stomach lining, stand with other cow parts like tongue, and hoof.

Next we walked through the Duomo plaza to the biggest wine store in Florence. We toured and then sampled a Moscato D’asti with thin sliced pork and bruschetta with olive oil and sea salt. I loved the wine. It was very sweet and paired perfectly with the fat in the pork and the salt on the bread. Here we learned the Italian motto “Sip your life like a good wine, don’t ‘shot it’ in a bar”

After we had our morning happy hour we walked towards the Academia for “Tuscan” Gelato. I had hazelnut and Zuppa Ingles (egg cream with chocolate chunks). It was so smooth and egg cream was similar to a custard vanilla flavor.

After Gelato we got in the reservation line for the Academia and waited about 10 minutes to get in. We walked around with a tour guide for about 15 minutes and then were lead down the hall to see The David. He was much larger than I imagined! I was amazed it was finished in 3
Years from a poor used piece of marble! I am very happy we did some historic sight seeing today since we are spending a lot of our time else where.

Gelato!

If you ever come to Florence and want Gelato go to Grom to the right of the Duomo! It’s all natural! No artificial flavoring, they only make in season flavors and OMG is it amazing! We went our first day and I got Expresso and coconut with chocolate chips and today I got dark chocolate, Nougat, and salted caramel! It is such a neat “off the beaten path” place because it’s in a side ally! I 100% recommend and I am sure we will be back again be for the trip ends!