We were packed and out of the house by 0915 and on our way back to Orvieto to return the rental car. This was achieved with a minimum of fuss (for once a rental that went well) and then we boarded the train that would take us to Florence where we would be met by Zoe later that evening.
As always the train trip was relaxing and the blue sky increased as we headed north. We disembarked at 1.30 and were welcomed into the beautiful Hotel Rapallo (thanks Yvie for the recommendation 😊) by Lorenzo at about 2.15. We dumped our bags and hit the pavement toward the magnificent Duomo…..
Fearing this might be our best day for the ‘sunset’ shot we caught bus no 12 up to the very busy Piazzale Michelangeo where we tried to warm up with a glass of wine whilst waiting with the hordes for the golden hour.
It might not have been ideal conditions but we thought it time well spent.
Returning by (the much quicker method) taxi we had a dinner booking at Ristorante La Falterona ( another Yvie suggestion) where we ordered antipasto to await the rendezvous with Zoe. By the time she arrived we were ready to order the second bottle and I’m sure we had a lovely dinner, I just can’t remember much of it 🤣🤣
The next day the weather had taken a bit of a turn for the worse but fortunately most of activity today would be indoors. We did some shopping in the morning ( for the warm clothes I hadn’t packed) and then turned up at the appointed time at the Accademia for our date with David.
Zoe initially wasn’t sure who ‘David’ was but recognised him instantly once we rounded the corner and saw him in all of his glory. Standing at 5.17 metres tall he is one impressive sculpture! It is an interesting read regarding the various dimensions of his body parts which are not in proportion to each other but reflect traditions of the Renaissance time and indeed Michelangeo himself with regard to the genitals in particular.
A quick lunch fortified us for our next appointment- climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome.
Florence Cathedral, formally the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in English “Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower”; is the cathedral or Duomo which was begun in 1296 in the Gothic style and was structurally completed by 1436, with the dome designed by Fillipo Brunelleschi.Â
Zoe and I had reserved the 3 pm time slot to climb the 463 narrow, winding, claustrophobic steps to the top of the dome and as we waited in line, the sky looked ominous.
Half way up a massive thunder rumble rattled us if not the 700 year old structure and when we finally emerged onto the roof rain was falling. We rang Russell to take our photos from the ground and as we stood waving to him another massive thunderclap and lightning strike occurred almost simultaneously – we both nearly jumped the railing!
We finished the day with a stroll down to the Ponte Vecchio and some window shopping.
Tomorrow it’s on to Venice ðŸŽ