A Florence fling

Ponte Vecchio

I’d read that this was an old bridge – indeed, Europe’s oldest segmental arch bridge - which hosts shops and merchants. But what I didn’t know was that the moment I set foot on it I would feel a little bit like Italian aristocracy out to purchase luxury items. Something about the narrowness of the space and the occasional view of the water made the experience feel out of the ordinary for a tourist shopping trip.

The term “bankruptcy” is said to have been coined on the Ponte Vecchio, referring to the soldiers’ practice of breaking a merchant’s table if he couldn’t pay his debts, and I think I may have been lucky to escape with my funds intact (minus the price of a necklace).

Uffizi Gallery

One of the most famous galleries of art worldwide, the Uffizi attracts 1.5 million visitors per year – and I felt like I was in line with most of them. As it turns out, you can reserve tickets in advance by calling ahead – this is definitely a sensible way to go. Once inside, however, it was well worth the wait. The Botticelli paintings in particular stayed with me even as my tour continued.

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (or “The Duomo”)

I think I could have easily spent an entire day at Santa Maria del Fiore. Even the outside of the basilica invites time and attention with its carefully carved marble. Pictures do not do it justice.

But of course the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Florence is best known for its octagonal cupola, designed and built by Brunelleschi in the early 1400s. It was the largest octagonal dome of its time (the Pantheon in Rome is circular, although similar in size) and remains the largest masonry dome. I spent much of my allotted time in climbing to the top. Stepping up the narrow steps was a bit awkward, but worth it for the gorgeous view of the region.