First, use an app called "city planner". The free version is a nice start, but after that start, I went in for the full $4.99. The app has ever major attraction from museums to architecture to restaurants to shops to nightclubs and more. It helps you map out a walking route and how to travel to each location. I guess the only it doesn't have is special events, but that was ok in my case.
We started in the museum designed by Michaelangelo. Of course it's beautiful, we especially enjoyed hand written manuscripts and these cool sculptures holding globes made of gold. The floor was original so we had to walk on thin carpets on the side of the room in single file (which added to the fun).
When we made it to the main room there was a crack of thunder and lightening outside, just for extra dramatic effect.
After leaving the museum, we walked around to a few locally owned shops. Really stuff nice, and owners too. We saw ceramic work, sculptures, art/paintings, furniture and some other odds and ends.
The Santa Maria Maggiore church is a nice little church in the heart of town. It's one of the few places that allows photos inside. The main altar is quite "plain" compared to other churches, there isn't stained glass or painted walls/ceilings. It actually makes for a nice, clean look.
Next door is the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella which is stunning. It's beautiful inside and outside, we barely noticed the pouring rain :) Its hard to explain how there are gardens inside the church, or around the church grounds, just know that it's a can't miss site. Which, by the way, is part of the city planner app, it lists "can't miss" sites and I tend to agree with all of their suggestions.
Ponte Vecchio is the bridge of Florence like Rialto is the bridge of Venice. It's a fairly wide bridge with shops lining the edges. The view from the middle of the bridge is outstanding. The shops are mostly jewelry shops, and each shop has it's own little window with an amazing view.
At that point, the rain let up for us and it was almost cold outside, which is pretty amazing for late July.
We crossed the bridge and visted a place called Palazzo Pitti. It's basically connected to a set of gardens called Boboli Gardens. We hadn't been there before, so we were anxious to check it out and compare to UK gardens. It was no surprise that they were beautiful. It was a little surprising to see the great view of Florence from the gardens. It almost rivaled Piazzale Michangelo! We drank wine in the palazzo while we relaxed and enjoyed the views.
Walk back over a bridge and go to the Uffizi, which is a can't miss museum. There's a replica of David out front, plus a cool "outdoor hallway" of famous sculptures.
Do more shopping, it's all there, whatever you like. My family and I went our separate ways for shopping for a little while. Within 3 minutes of separating, I thought for a second I had been pick pocketed. I was getting on the merry go round with my youngest daughter and a gypsy came shaking for change. I had to say no about 5 times and she knew full well I was holding a child and a stroller and a bunch of other stuff. I was doing my normal situational awareness (e.g. head on a swivel, like a haunted house) when I noticed a man move away quickly. My first reaction was that he was probably working with her, so I visually scanned his hands and pockets. He certainly saw me checking him over and he ducked away. I thought maybe the camera or iPad were gone but I was lucky to still have both. It goes to show they really are professionals and they're watching everyone at every second, but I was lucky this time.
We walked over to sit and enjoy the live music of a violin, guitar and upright string bass. Then we got back together with the family and had a great dinner at a random restaurant that we chose because it looked busy. The live music continued as there was now an accordion being played outside.
Close the day with the absolute must see of sunset at Piazzle Michealangelo. This time, there was solo guitarist with an amp and repeater pedals. He played at least a couple of songs that had meaning to me, so I loved it, not to mention the phenomenal sunset over Florence.
And that's about it, we grabbed gelato on the walk home and just enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells of an amazing city. By the way, on that walk home, we watched an artist use chalk to paint a fantastic painting right on the asphalt in the middle of the road. Great stuff.
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