Florence |
Our excursion to Florence was a full day trip. We were very fortunate that the weather had abruptly changed prior to our arrival. It had been extremely hot and humid, but we enjoyed milder temperatures. We walked for miles on our own to explore Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance. The Duomo, dedicated to Santa Maria del Fiore, is a popular tourist attraction and we waited in a line to get in and admire its beauty. In contrast to the other towns, Florence was very crowded with tourists of all ages from all over the world. We escaped the crowds by having a picnic in the Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace. After our picnic, we joined the crowds again when we shopped for leather goods in the outdoor markets. |
| At right, looking down on Florence from the Boboli Gardens. Below, the Basilica of Santa Croce, one of the largest churches in the city, is unique because of its pure Gothic style. Below right, the Duomo, finished around 1367, and its dome, finally completed in 1436. It was designed and built by Filippo Brunelleschi who used remarkable technical knowledge for that time to achieve the beautiful results we see today. The Dome Cupola is the most characteristic feature of the Florentine skyline. |
 |
 |
 |