FLORENCE

Another day...... another Italian city.

This time, by train! 

A quick one and a half hour ride at 200+ km an hour and we had arrived at Firenze train station in the centre of Florence. A jump in the taxi and just a short five minutes later we had arrived at our hotel which just so happens to be owned by one of Romes most influential families the Medici's. 

As we arrived earlier than our check in time we decide to dump our baggage and go for a wander in search of the Duomo..... the most famous building in Florence. Unknowingly, we were just a five minute walk from the grand building and were frozen in awe as we rounded the corner and came face to face with it. As you imagine, Florence is like other Italian cities, with the high apartment buildings made out of earthy sandstone with the brightly coloured flower boxes hanging from each of the rough iron patterned balconies. Cobblestone streets and small alleyways make it feel small and intimate even though, really, its enormous. What makes the Duomo so spectacular is the array of coloued marbles that were used to build it. As it stands in the centre of the piazza it automatically draws your gaze, as if you smashed a rock open and found a sparkling gem inside.

Backtracking our steps we figured out where we were in relation to our hotel and found a charming Italian restaurant to have our first feast in Florence, best known for its steaks, in particular its 1kg T-bone steaks.... which H tried at our favourite restaurant so far (we are booked to go back tonight, our last night in Florence). After lunch we went back to the hotel to settle into our room before heading out again to check out the shopping..... another thing Florence is famous for, most commonly for its Italian leather. Bags, wallets, shoes, jackets, trousers, you name it, they sell it. Market stall upon market stall is filled with hundreds of different bags (every girls dream) and I quickly realised that a Florentine leather bag just belonged on my shoulder. So.... after making the tough decision I ended up with a beautiful lilac coloured design but may just have to head back to the bags before we leave..... When in Florence right????

I also ended up with a blazer (not leather) and a pair of sandals which made the first day of Italian shopping a success!! As you can imagine, after a shopping extravaganza we were pretty beat so we decided to return to the hotel and put our feet up for a few hours before dinner.

Various family members had recommended we visit a particular Italian restaurant, hidden up a small alleyway, but rated extremely highly by trip advisor (the best way to search for restaurants, hotels, shopping etc. when abroad). Arriving at the door, behind a small line we saw that the restaurant was jam packed and that judging by the smells and vibe inside we were definitely had something special in store for us. The restaurant did not disappoint, after some delicious starters and mains of pasta and steak, an incredible red wine included we were on cloud nine and were that excited that we booked again for our last night in Florence.

Yesterday we went on an all day tour of Tuscany. The best of Tuscany in fact. Visiting several small towns, an amazing organic farm and vineyard for lunch, where we were served freshly made pasta, wine, bread and olive oil all made and sourced from their farm. We sat next to the loveliest American couple from Texas who asked us all about our travels and home, and made the experience one to remember. After lunch we headed to another small medieval town where H was intrigued by the torture museums..... me not so much.... So I left him to check those out, whilst I wandered through the hand painted ceramic shops. The tower of Pisa was next on the list arriving by a small three carriage road train (hilarious). We took the iconic photos next to Pisa and admired the architecture, whilst laughing at all the other tourists with their hands up in the air, mouths agape, legs flying, basically looking like absolute morons. But hey..... its Pisa, its a MUST DO. Our tour was made even more enjoyable by the amazing Italian tour guide Stephano, with his thick Italian accent and contagious laugh he had us in stitches the whole time. Back in Florence at 8.30 we just missed the hail storm!!! (Yes it poured in Florence yesterday) so quickly raced to dinner before returning to our hotel at 10.30. 
Unfortunately we were unable to see David as the line into the museum stretched two blocks!! Not keen to wait in line for hour upon hour, so, with nothing left to do, we decided that some retail therapy was in order. After some bargains at Zara we had lunch at a delicious Japanese inspired restaurant..... Yes, they have Japanese food in Italy..... so bizarre, but SO good. With lunch covered I snapped up another of Florence's finest in the way of handbags, H got a haircut, we hit up our favourite restaurant EVER for our final dinner, which was EXTRAORDINARY to say the least!! 
With bags packed we are just about ready to hit the train station yet again for our next exciting chapter!

I cannot explain just how amazing this city is, it has the most peaceful, yet exciting vibe, is not overly touristy, but enough to make it buzz, unlike Rome..... it doesn't feel commercialised, it feels authentic, like an Italy that hasn't been so influenced by the outside world. 

Venice we are coming for you!!!!