A blog of Angus and Alison's walking tour of the Tour de Mont Blanc, Via degli Dei the Dobratsch Circuit in Carinthia, Austria, the Dolomites, Venice, and Iceland
Firenze is a wonderful place to be a tourist and a learner!
We are having an amazing experience in Firenze. And according to Ali’s phone we have walked almost as many kms each day sightseeing and touring the many museums and galleries as we did on the trail. The feet agree.
Over the last three days with early starts and a “Firenze Card” (multi day, multi site pass”), we have toured the:
The Medici Library, the Museo Archealogico Nazionale, the Leonardo Da Vinci Interactive Museum, the Galleria dell Academia, the Galleria degli Uffizi, Museo Galileo, Michaelangelo’s House Museum, the Baptistery, museum and Santa Reparata crypt at the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral.
None of the pics below do proper justice, but at least gives a flavour of the range of wonderful places and inspiring activities we’ve been so enjoying. Did I mention the food? 😍
We’re staying at a very nice BandB (no Breakfast, but a kitchen for us to cook in) within walking distance and will stay here through to Saturday. Just having a great time in a truly remarkable city.
Courtyard at the Medici LibraryMedici LibraryArcheology museum collections from ancient Egypt, Rome, Tuscany So many antiquities and interesting stories behind these archaeological pieces.The Uffizi Museum. Amazing but wow.. crowded.Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”. Incredible up close.The famous Ponte Vecchio from the museum windowDuomo and tower from the museum Da Vinci’s “Annunciation”Caravaggio‘s “Medusa”Raphael’s “Madonna and the Goldfinch”Celestial maps from the Renaissance Map of the world when it was flat 😮In the music museum (in the Galleria Academia) several Stradivari violins.And a lute-pianoWhen you first see Michaelangelo’s “David” it really does take your breath away; 16 feet high, incredible detail, sculpted from a massive block of marble left unused in a churchyard, and centuries old.Just an amazing creation. Couldn’t stop photographing! There must be a million pics taken every day!One of the “Prisoners” (four unfinished pieces by Michaelangelo) that give an idea of his process/techniqueAnother of “the prisoners”His second to last piece: Pieta… just stunningMachiavelli sculpture (forgot to record the artist). This was in the Sculpture Portrait room at the Galleria Academia. One of the rooms on Michaelangelo’s ancestral houseCathedral dome Santa Maria del FioreEarly Christian basilica mosaic floors from the original church now under (you get to tour the crypt- amazing) the current cathedral built over top from 12-1400s. The peacock represents the trades people who laid the floor. Mostly from North Africa. Part of the ceiling of the Baptistery (thought to have been originally built by the Romans in honour of Mars).We have a learned a ton in the past few days!
Fantastic pictures and experiences! You both continue to jam pack your days. Your senses must be absolutely filled to the brim by the end of each day. Your trip gives me pause to appreciate the gifts of mobility, sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. What an amazing journey you are on! Dixoxo
It really is a lovely city to explore. So much to see and do! One more day tomorrow then starting the journey toward Austria on Saturday. Thanks for comments! xo
I can imagine Ali’s artist brain was soaking it all up. Thank you so much for sharing these pics. Can’t believe how much work Michelangelo packed in, finished or not, in his lifetime.
Yes, so many times we saw up close works that we have in books back at home or that she studied in school. We were both just so moved by such a concentration of art, history, culture, etc. Such a beautiful city and so walkable too.
Walking in Europe 
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