It was overcast but warm this morning when we had breakfast on the terrace of our hotel. We had nothing planned after breakfast so we took our time relaxing at the table.
After a while, we decided to hike up the streets and stairs behind the hotel to Piazzale Michelangelo. The view of the city was outstanding. It seems to be a destination of the locals, because there were lots of people there including several bicycle groups. Our objective was to find San Miniato Church. According to the Rick Steeves’ guide book, legend has it that St Minias was beheaded on the banks of the Arno in 250 AD. He picked up his head and walked here (this was before the #12 bus) where he died and was buried in what became the first Christian cemetery in Florence. It took us a while to find the church. We walked into another one first and knew that it wasn’t the correct one. We had to climb another couple staircases before we found it.
When we went into the church, organ music was playing and people were coming in and sitting on the pews. We realized that this was Sunday mass, so we made a quick exit when the priest started the ceremony. This gave Ann a chance to wander around the cemetery and look at all of the crypts.
We then went downhill to river level, checked out Porto S Nicolo (one of the city gates) and went back to the hotel.
Our Uffizi reservation was at 2:00 so we decided to have an early lunch to make sure that we got there in time. We ate at The Golden View Open Bar at an inside table right next to a large window where we could look out at the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio. The view was outstanding and the food was good, too. I had taglialinni noodles with a tomato, chinghiali sauce. Ann had a house salad with perfectly ripe tomatoes and avocado. We had the chef’s special dessert which was a vanilla mousse with raspberry sauce and quartered figs.
After lunch, we toured the Uffizi using Rick Steves’ audio guide. I like the guide because it gives just enough history of the schools of painting and covers only the most important works. There were lots of people in the gallery and they gathered in front of the major paintings. Ann and I quickly learned how to get around the bunches or stay far enough behind them. The Uffizi is always a wonderful experience.
When we got out, we walked a few short blocks to the Bargello, a museum of sculptures. There were works by Michelangelo, Donatello and many others. We were fading, so we looked at most of the statues and left.
It was around 4:30 and I was getting hungry. My mission was to find some good gelato. I led us to Grom which using organic products and fresh ingredients. Ann had chocolate and raspberry. I had raspberry, strawberry and mint.
As we were walking back to the hotel, we heard some rhythmic drumming. Then we saw a parade of people dressed in period costumes marching in formation down the main pedestrian street. There were nobles, ladies, drummers, trumpeters, soldiers, flag bearers, etc. I took a video which I will post on our website later.
It started to sprinkle while we were watching the marchers. We made a beeline for the hotel.
Dinner was at Borgo Antico on Piazza Santo Spirito. This was another good recommendation from Rick Steves. We opted to sit inside because we anticipated more rain. I had a Tuscan salad which is made from old bread, onions, tomatoes, etc. I also had penne with tomatoes and basil. Ann had risotto with smoky cheese and zucchini.
We are back at the hotel and it’s closing in on 10:00.
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