The Constant (Failed) Dieter: Travel Log: A Journey of Restoration (Day 7)

Saturday 11 October 2014

Travel Log: A Journey of Restoration (Day 7)

Previous Day (Pisa & Exploring Lucca - the Medieval Town)

Destination: France & Italy

Duration: 15 Days 15 Nights (Sep 02~Sep 17, 2014)

Day 7: A Day in Florence – the City of Renaissance

We left Lucca early in the morning to catch an early train to Florence (Firenze SM Novella Station). One thing to note is not every B&B or hotel (especially budget type) provides 24 hours reception – always double-check if you need late check-in or early check-out. B&B Colonna only had receptionist at 8am thus we sent an email to Mirko the night before telling him we would have to leave the room & main door key along with the city tax in a ‘secret place’ which he replied quickly and wished us luck on our journey. =)

A Picture i attached in the email.. LOL

We took the 7.32am Regionale train and managed to arrive in Firenze SM Novella Station before 9am. We found our hotel – Hotel Aldobrandini which is around 5minutes walk from the station. Amazingly our room was ready even though the official check-in time was 12noon. Hooray! Our receptionist also provided us a tourist map of the city during check-in and it was extremely useful and simple to refer.

Goodbye Lucca

Waiting for our train,,,

It is foggy out there!

Lots of People at Firenze SM Novella Station

Looking for our Hotel...

Finally!!!

Simple Bed

Simple bathroom

Our hotel is very close to thus our 1^st destination of the day was Medici Chapels which is the Medici dynasty final resting place as well as the beautiful marble statues by Michelangelo. The Chapel of the Princes was stunning to look at but unfortunately part of the roof collapsed thus resulting some restoration in certain area. Also, we were quite confused as there were supposed to be statues in place but there was none that day.

At Medici Chapel

This is one of the famous Medici Family member.,,

A small model of the chapel

Chapel of the Princes at 2nd floor! Where is the statue though?

Restoration is needed

Look at this!!!

There were no statues at all!

Are they gone for restoration as well?

Look at all the golds!

Statues by Michelangelo

More Statues by Michelangelo

After Medici Chapels, we took an exterior picture of San Lorenzo Church before continuing on to Mercato Centrale – an indoor market in a building from late 19^th century. We quickly found Nerbone - famed for their Panino con Lampredotto. It is a type of cow stomach sandwich which is considered a local delicacy. I was very hesitant since I am not a fan of innards and ended up getting one to try out since it’s not that we could try it anytime we wanted.

San Lorenzo Church

It's a Tourist Street i suppose...

Inside the Mercato Centrale

The verdict? I didn’t like it! Granted there was no strange innards taste but a part of it was so slimy until I felt disgusted. Guess it’s not for everyone… we ended up ordering another plate of Greek Salads for our lunch. Since we were in a market, there were tons of stalls selling fresh & dried fruits and we ended up getting some olive and raspberries for dessert. =P

The Famous Lampredotto - I didn't like it.. =(

Let's have some Greek Salads instead

Dried Fruit & Olives Stall

Look at all these!!! *drool*

We then continued to Piazza del Duomo which houses 3 major sights - Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Battistero & Campanile di Giotto. Once we stepped nearer, we could see the Battistero was in fact in RESTORATION! UUGGGHHHH!!!!!!!! But the sight of Cattedrale di Santa Maris del Fiore was simply UNREAL!!!! It was more like a painting than a building! Look at these photos and judge for yourself! How is this even possible?! We went into the cattedrale and admired the beautiful huge cupola.

OMG!!! Not another Restoration again!!!

The Cattedrale looks like a painting!

The Battistero in Restoration!

Inside the Cattedrale

The Beautiful Cupola

Mosaic at the Floor of Cattedrale

There were two higher structures in the area – one was the Campanile di Giotto and another was the Dome of Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. We were wondering which we should climb up for a view of Florence and decided on the DOME as it seemed to be lower than the Campanile as we were too crippled after 6 days of hiking and stairs climbing. We would soon realize how wrong our decision was!

Look like a painting from any angle!!! There is the dome!

Here is the Campanile

Which one is higher?

There was a long queue for the Dome thus we queued for around an hour before finally getting into the entrance. What greeted us was a warning:- 463steps with no lift!!! OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention that they are spiral stairs!!! I was so afraid so lose my balance after endless spiral to the top. The spiral finally ended when we exited the stairs halfway to be nearer to the Cupola inside the Cattedrale. The Cupola was indeed majestic and we thought this would be the end of the climb but we were so wrong! The path led us to more narrow stairs to get outside of the Dome. *hyperventilating*

I just can't get enough picture of the Cattedrale...

Long Long Queue!!!

Almost there!

Be Warned!!!

Halfway there

A look from the top

Very near to the Cupola

More STAIRssss!!!

We finally reached the top and it was then we realized the Campanile was the lower structure (400 steps vs 463 steps after some research). Thankfully the view from the cupola was breathtaking and we just had to stay there for a longer time to catch our breath and to take more nice pictures. =P

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See? The campanile is lower!!!

At the top

Some Greenery... I think that is Church of S.M Novella

A Panoramic View from the top

Now this is obvious that the Campanile is lower!!!

Getting Down...

Spiral Stairs!!!

After getting down from the dome, we went to the Battistero to take a picture of the Gates of Paradise - the set of doors that faces the front of the Duomo was designed by Ghiberti in the early 1400s, and a young Michelangelo thought they were so beautiful that they could be the Gates of Paradise. We also went into the Battistero to admire the beautiful interior as well.

We were there just now!

The Gates of Paradise

UGH!!! Did i just got photobombed?

Dome of the Battistero

Statues inside the Battistero

This is depressing! I want a refund from Italian Government!!!

Since Hardrock Café is in Florence – we went to the Rock Shop to grab some t-shirts before continued to Piazza della Signoria which was just in front of Palazzo Vecchio and was surrounded by different statues such as Michelangelo’s “David” replica, Nettuno & others.

HardRock Cafe in Florence

A City Map!!!

Everywhere looks so grand!!

At Piazza della Signora infront of Palazzo Vecchio

Loggia della Signora

Fountain of Neptune

I have no idea what this statue is... :p

Gucci Museum??? Seriously?!

"David" at the back

A Bronze Statue at Loggia della Signora

Inside Palazzo Vecchio - see the cute lil cupid?

Beautiful!!!

Another City Map at the floor?

We also went to the Fontana del Porcellino as it was mentioned that touching the porcellino’s nose should bring you good luck – that’s why it’s so shiny!

Here is the Piggy!

Afterwards, we sat at the foot of Loggia della Signoria for some people watching – well the truth was to ease our legs as we were literally crippled after the hour queue and step climbing. We finally conjured up some energy to continue to the exterior of Uffizi Gallery which happened to be in RESTORATION as well! *facepalm* We did not go inside the gallery as it was getting late and we were just too tired.

Back to Piazza della Signora

Did the Lion just ate David???!!!!

Restoration! What else?!

Uffizi Gallery

We walked along the Arno River to take photos of the Ponte Vecchio – the only remaining bridge in Florence to have houses and shops on it with a secret passageway (Vasari Corridor) underneath. There were tons of jewellery shops on top of Ponte Vecchio but we were too broke for that. Hehe…

At Arno River

The Sunlight is shining directly into my eyes!!!

Sammy & Ponte Vecchio

All the Jewellery Shops!!!

Crossing Ponte Vecchio

Our plan was to see the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo since it offers a magnificient panoramic view of the city. However, it would be a 20minutes walk from Ponte Vecchio thus we stopped to grab a salami Panini from a random sandwich shop before going inside the grocery store beside the sandwich shop to grab some wine, juice and fruits.

A Random Sandwich Shop

Since we are waiting...

Spicy Salami & Cheese Panini

The way to Piazzale Michelangelo was steep and involved lots of stairs. *gasp in horror* Anyhow we finally made it and quickly sat on a vacant chair and looked out at the panoramic view of Florence. The sun was shining directly at our direction at the time but slowly turned to dusk. The place was indeed a postcard spot for Florence!

A Long Long Way!!!

Oh no!!! Not Stairs again?!!!

Let's drink juice & wine and eat some fruits at Piazza Michelangelo!

I'm crippled!!!!

But the View is worth it! Florence at a Panoramic View!

The Piazza del Duomo

Ponte Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio?

Sammy wants to take a picture!

The Postcard View?

It's getting Dark!

Palazzo Vecchio in the Dark

Looks different at dusk huh?

David & the Moon

Florence & Moon

It's really dark now... Breathtaking!

Florence at Dusk

We tried to walk back to our hotel after the sky had turned dark – it was a long way from Piazzale Michelangelo and we somehow got lost again and walked further away from the correct path.. *sigh* We ended up backtracking our steps to Piazza del la Signora & Piazza del Duomo to take some nighttime photo before finally found our hotel and called it a night. What a LONG LONG day! By the way, we did not go to the famous Accademia Gallery for the original David statue as it is closed on Monday – do not plan your Florence trip on Monday if you intend to visit the Accademia! We were content enough to see the ‘copy’ at Piazza della Signora since we were basically art dummy. LOL!!!