Day 7: Firenze

Florence is a beautiful city but no place I'd want to live. it's situated in a valley so doesn't get much of a breeze. Our tour director lives there and she said it's hot and humid in the summer and cool and damp in the winter.

First, our bus dropped us off high above the city so we could look down on it.



After that we went down into town and walked around a bit before going to see, as Marisa called it, "The David." It's an amazing statue. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the museum but there is this replica not far away.



Michelangelo was the first sculptor to add movement to his sculptures. The way David is standing like he's ready to put the stone he's holding in his right hand into the slingshot on his left shoulder and fire away was new. Plus all the veins and muscles make him look like he is moving. This was an optional excursion and I'm really glad to have seen the real thing.

Then it was more walking through the crowded streets to see some beautiful and intricately designed buildings.









That door is made out of gold! And speaking of gold...The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in the city and only jewelry stores are allowed to operate on it.



This is it from the outside.



All the shops look just like this...only golder! It was really dazzling.



When we were waiting for our bus, I looked across the river and saw a lavender building. I just had to take a picture since that color is so unusual.

As you can see from the pictures, it was another cloud-free, gorgeous day but so hot! We couldn't wait to get back to our hotel and go for a swim.