Day Four - Florence - More Exploring - Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The weather in Italy has been incredibly hot.  Today it was 97 degrees with 43% humidity.  It was hot.  The girls got up early this morning to tackle the climb to the top of the Dome of the Duomo.  Not wanting to tackle the 463 steps up the Dome, I stayed behind and slept in and took my time getting up and getting ready.  I also needed to figure out something to do with my hair.  The heat and humidity are doing a number on my longer, curlier style.  Today's solution was to wash it and pull it back.  Much cooler in this heat.

When the girls got back, we took off to see more of the sights of Florence.  This city is so walkable, I love it. We ventured to the Straw Market for a little shopping and the requisite visit to Il Porcellino - if you rub his snout it means you will return to Florence someday. The last time I rubbed it was 15 years ago and now I'm back.  Hopefully, I'll be back sooner with this rub.

While at the Straw Market I had to do a little shopping and picked up two silk scarves.  One a Gucci knock off and the other a Pucci knock off.  Oh the joys of knowing your Designer Brands. 

Mine has a pink border

We then walked to the Ponte Vecchio to window shop in all the jewelry stores.  So much gorgeous jewelry.  If only I had an unlimited budget I would have bought a few diamonds and sapphires.

Once across the bridge we decided it was time for our first gelato of the day.  I chose the Stracciatella, which is vanilla gelato with chunks of chocolate in it. So basically a Chocolate Chip Gelato.  It was creamy and delicious.

It was then on to the Palazzo Pitti.  The Palazzo Pitti, in English sometimes called the Pitti Palace, is a vast mainly Renaissance palace. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. The core of the present palazzo dates from 1458 and was originally the town residence of Luca Pitti, an ambitious Florentine banker.

The palace was bought by the Medici family in 1549 and became the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. It grew as a great treasure house as later generations amassed paintings, plates, jewelry and luxurious possessions.

In the late 18th century, the palazzo was used as a power base by Napoleon, and later served for a brief period as the principal royal palace of the newly united Italy. The palace and its contents were donated to the Italian people by King Victor Emmanuel III in 1919, and its doors were opened to the public as one of Florence's largest art galleries. Today, it houses several minor collections in addition to those of the Medici family.

It also houses an amazing Costume Collection. Situated in a wing known as the "Palazzina della Meridiana", this gallery contains a collection of theatrical costumes dating from the 16th century until the present. It is also the only museum in Italy detailing the history of Italian fashions. 

In addition to theatrical costumes, the gallery displays garments worn between the 18th century and the present day. Some of the exhibits are unique to the Palazzo Pitti; these include the 16th-century funeral clothes of Grand Duke Cosimo I de' Medici, and Eleonora of Toledo and her son Garzia, both of whom died of malaria. 

The Garden that extends from the hill behind the Pitti Palace as far as Porta Romana, reached its current extension and appearance, becoming one of the largest and most elegant Italian style gardens, through several stages of enlargement and restructuring work carried out at diffrent times.

We wanted to explore the gardens more but it was so hot, we couldn't stand to be out in the direct sun. We were exhausted from the heat and decided to grab a gelato - Lemon and Strawberry for me this time - and head back to the Hotel to cool off and have a nap.

Once back at the Hotel, it was interesting to see our Maid's decorative placement of the throw pillows once again.

After a short nap and freshening up, we headed out in search of a little cafe for dinner. Besides breakfast, all we had eaten all day was gelato.  Time for food.  We found a delightful outdoor cafe on the Piazza next to the Palazzo Vecchio and perused the menu.  I decided to have the Ravioli stuffed with Spinach and Cheese in a Sage Butter Sauce.

Very light and delicious and the perfect size portion.  I ate it all. I also ordered my favorite beverage in Europe - Lemon Soda.  A carbonated Lemonade that is tart and refreshing. A perfect meal.

After dinner we had to have dessert - what else? Gelato! We stopped at what has become our favorite Gelateria on the Piazza.  I ordered the After Eight, which is Chocolate Chip Mint. So creamy and good.  Just what I needed to cap off a perfect day seeing the sights in Florence.

Tomorrow we check out of our Hotel and head to Venice by train.

Buonanotte!