Day 5: Travel and Relax in Florence

Today we traveled to the Tuscan capital of Florence, returning our rental car to the. airport and venturing by taxi to a much-awaited stay at the elegant Hotel Pendini in Piazza della Republica in central Florence. Isn’t it a blessing to have such an accessible hotel in the middle of a heat wave?

Settling in, we explore the nearby Cafe Gilli and surrounding shops before heading to Trattoria Za Za for dinner. Kari, Izzy and I loved our meals but Ron was less impressed. He didn’t like the “hawking of goods” (roses, cookbooks) during dinner.

Strolling back to our hotel we encountered the magnificent Florence Duomo and its marble (Black, white, green and pink) facade, and marvel at how it could have been constructed in the 1200’s, Brunelleschi’s dome still intact. You have to see it to believe it – experience it during the day and at night walk all the way around it to appreciate how truly massive it is.

We are tired and we settle in for ‘ni night’