Arrived in Florence on Sunday by train from Rome. Settled into our wonderful apartment which would be home for 4 nights. Had some initial trouble with the electricity, but it provided us with the opportunity to have a great conversation with the owner, Marie. She was born in France, has lived many years in Italy, spent some time in NC as a textile designer, and now travels to India to do textile design.
Keith settling in to our apartment…
Sunset over Piazza Santa Croce on our way to dinner on Sunday…
The Crucifixion by Cimabue at the museum at the Basilica di Santa Croce. This Basilica was at the top of Keith’s to do list – it holds the tombs of Michelangelo, Dante, Galileo and Machiavelli in the nave, as well as frescoes by Giotto. Quite remarkable… but that is a word that can certainly be used for so many Italian treasures!
Michelangelo’s tomb…
The cloister at the Basilica di Santa Croce
View of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo across the Arno River. We even walked up the hill- quite a challenge! Then we took the bus back down and saw different parts of the city.
Drying our clothes the old fashioned way…
Had a wonderful meal at Konnubio’s last evening – great food, good wine, and a fun and terrific waiter and wine expert, Stefan.
Oh, how I do love markets! ❤️ This one is Sant Ambrogio…
The Museum of San Marco was extraordinary… an old maonastery where each monk’s cell had a frescoe on the wall… can’t even imagine how connected each monk must have felt to his piece of art after years of prayer and contemplation…
Cloister at San Marco.
Monk’s cell with fresco…
From a monk’s cell…
Had a panini to go at all’ Antico Vinaio da Tommaso – slow cooked pork called the “inferno” – touted as the best paninis in Florence- yes, it sure was delicious!
Late afternoon visit to the Duomo- -an icon of Florence…
And we ended the day with another of Keith’s wishes- to savor the bistecca alla Fiorentina- the special local steak! It was delicious and we have enough left over for steak and eggs in the morning and steak and raviolis for dinner tomorrow. I refused to put a photo on the blog… use your imagination!
Ciao! Back with you again after we begin our tour on Thursday.
Nancy & Keith's Travel Blog 
Sounds and looks great ! Miss you and love you.
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Loving the commentaries AND the photographs ( and that really sexy waiter 🙂
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Great photos and commentary. So many incredible places! I like the clothes dryer; you know we have an identical one in Bangkok. The pasta in the market looks delicious. Although I’m veg, the sausage looks pretty amazing too. In Kazakhstan last week it was convenient to be veg when the special horse sausage was brought out! Looks like you guys are having a great time. Wish we were there!
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Bella! Dio è ovunque You and Keith look so rested and happy. Enjoy and breathe it in. Thank you for taking us along. Be well. xoxo
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