{"id":1338,"date":"2018-10-14T06:35:54","date_gmt":"2018-10-14T06:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zeweekendtraveller.com\/?p=1338"},"modified":"2019-05-21T21:17:29","modified_gmt":"2019-05-21T21:17:29","slug":"florence-in-a-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeweekendtraveller.com\/index.php\/europe\/italy\/florence-in-a-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Florence – in a Day ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I tested out this theory on my road trip through Tuscany over an extended weekend. Admittedly I have been to Florence before but it still works. I planned my stops , as well as where to dine. Great thing about my sightseeing adventure is , that it costs next to nothing apart from the bus ticket and eating and drinking. So come along!<\/p>\n

I found perfect accomodations outside of the Historic city centre with a car park and took the bus into the centre. From there, it was a short pleasant stroll where I must admit I was sidetracked by an accessory shop which was on sale.<\/p>\n

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Piazza del Duomo<\/h2>\n

I started where most of the action is, at the Piazza del Duomo , one of the most well-known squares of Italy. Besides the grand sights of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore which has a free entrance , you can be bedazzled by the people from all walks of life at the square. Meaning also to take care of your belongings!<\/p>\n

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The Piazza del Duomo – Florence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Piazza della Signoria<\/h2>\n

No less impressive is the Piazza Signoria where stands the Palazzo Vecchio<\/strong> – which got major attention in the Dan Brown’s book Inferno.\u00a0 I did not hunt for hidden doors this time around though.\u00a0 At the entrance is a replica of David.<\/p>\n

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Palazzo Vecchio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the square , is also the Loggia dei Lanzi –\u00a0<\/strong>a magnificent display of finely sculptured statues in this open air gallery.<\/p>\n

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Loggia dei Lanzi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/h2>\n

The Fountain of Neptune<\/strong> is yet another impressive feature of the Piazza , at the time I was there , it was under renovation unfortunately but I have seen it before in a previous trip.<\/p>\n

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I-am-a-posing- in front of the Fountain of Neptune<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/h2>\n

There are many other interesting views along the way as I timed to catch the sunset at Ponte Vecchio. I passed plenty of small shops offering the staple Italian Pizza and Paninis. So much life going on with tourists milling around the shops – Plenty of gelato shops too.<\/p>\n

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Ponte Vecchio<\/h2>\n

This is an interesting bridge which houses small jewellery shops typically selling gold in Florence. I arrived just before sunset and waited patiently in the middle of the bridge – there was a pretty good musician there at the time contributing to the jovial atmosphere.\u00a0 As the first rays shone onto the bridge , I think I caught a pretty good picture!<\/p>\n

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Sunset at Ponte Vecchio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other views of the Bridge:<\/p>\n

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Ponte Vecchio – Florence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The sun facing part of the Ponte Vecchio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Along the river Arno , there are pretty views as I made my way to the next stop.<\/p>\n

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Views across the River Arno<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Church of Santa Croce<\/h2>\n

What is special about yet another Church in Italy ? – This one houses tombs of famous people from Galileo to Michaelangelo. It costs a fee to go in – I was outside because it was already closed but the outside facade still look impressive.<\/p>\n

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I wandered around and found the Vietnamese restaurant I was looking for and tucked into a meal of Stir-fried Pho , the first (and probably) last time I try it because I love the soup version way more.<\/p>\n

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Stir-fried Pho<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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