A long weekend in Florence

I really want to go back to Florence as I think it’s a place I could love a lot more than I do after this first visit. But don’t get me wrong, we came home with amazing memories from this trip and we have been talking about it ever since. I’m sure we’ll be back soon again. I hope you enjoy the below though, a few pictures and some thoughts from our short visit in October.

Our landing only happened for the second try so we had a lovely sightseeing tour of the city that captured me with its Madonnelles as soon as we arrived to the centre. There were so many of them and I’m going to share some more at some point as I quickly became obsessed with them and I preferred looking at these than at the crowds of people (to which I contributed too, I know, I know).

The colours of Florence, that rich Renaissance palette, warm yellows, ochres, deep burgundy reds. All so pleasing to the eye. The late October weather and light matched perfectly the atmosphere of this magical city. We didn’t plan much in advance but we did book restaurants for dinner (we were advised to do so). Scott booked himself on a tour to the top of the Duomo, which did not appeal to me, I did something else instead (see below). We walked, we walked, we walked so much. And we saw so much. Especially people. Tourists. Too many. Far too many.

Yes, I know, everbody is going to the Uffizi first. Me, I was more drawn to the Museo di San Marco. Our hotel was just around the corner from the museum and I walked there first thing on our first morning. Seeing Fra Angelico’s Annunciation was one of the most amazing moments of my time in Florence. The museum wasn’t too busy but there was a class there (American students with an Italian guide, who wasn’t the friendliest of guides, and they were a bit noisy) so I lingered for ages and waited for them to leave. I firmly believe that nobody should be allowed to talk in places like these. I absolutely loved (most of) the frescoes in the cells and the atmosphere of this old monastery. Sadly, I couldn’t visit the Fra Angelico exhibition at the Palazzo Strozzi but if you are in Florence before the end of January, do go if you can.

But on our last day, very last minute, I did go to Uffizi. My favourite painting was this one on the left, Fra Bartolomeo, Portia. Portia is said to have killed herself after her husband committed suicide. I loved it so much and the light in that room was just perfect too.

I think that everbody was at Uffizi at the same time I was. The queuing process should have been a warning sign but I didn’t want to give up. When I got to the Botticelli rooms, someone was shouting at everybody else to keep quiet, and that was the moment when I quickly made my way to other rooms that were - it seemed - not as interesting to most of the visitors, nothing to tick off on their obligatory to do list. Good. Again, I should have done a little research, when best to go but I just went with the time that was available. It looks like they sell as many tickets as they can and the Galleries quickly become a zoo. 

To be honest, that was probably my biggest disappointment, the crowds. I mean what do I even expect, Florence is one of the most popular destinations in the world, of course there are people. Or maybe I live in such a bubble (and in gardens where I never see a soul) that I have to train myself a bit to return to the real world? Who knows. Also, I thought October would be a bit less busy. I’m going to go for January or February next time. We’ll see.

But then we found an attraction where there was nobody else apart from us and it was right in the centre. Would you believe it? Honestly. Another funny thing. People are queuing to go up to the top of the Duomo and the only thing they won’t see from there is Florence’s beautiful cathedral. So, we went up to the Arnolfo tower, on a Sunday morning, first thing again and there was nobody there (apart from a guard). I’m not good with tight spaces (I am extremely claustrophobic) but a), I’m working on it (it’s ridiculous how I can’t go into lifts and need to end this nonsense), b) I read it wasn’t that bad. And it really wasn’t. An easy climb and honestly, not a single person up there. We had all the views to ourselves.

I had to take a selfie to capture my brave moment (climbing a thight staircase and being high up).

Arrivederci, Florence.