Florence: Tuesday, 9/13/23
Accademia Gallery & Michelangelo's David
After our Uffizi experience and our guide-less experience (mistake), I am optimistic as I await the start of my first officially guided tour.
Introductions are made to our local guides for the day and things are looking good. Both women are heavily credentialed in all things Florentine, come off friendly and approachable, and exude an excited friend about-to-show-you-around their town vibe. Our group is separated into two smaller groups and assigned their own guide. Michelangelo, here we come!
Michelangelo's "prisoner" statues are among my favorites due to their raw power. I can almost see them in the master's workshop surrounded by dust, he with hand on chin considering...
Whether abandoned or purposely left unfinished, for me they illustrate a fascinating stage of the sculpting process.
To ensure that everyone can easily hear the tour narrative, David (our guide not the statue), has handed around small "radios" that hang from a lanyard around our necks. At first, I'm not wild about the idea, but quickly come to love it. We miss not a single word regardless of location in the group as we trundle down the sidewalk (and through the museums). The radios become a helpful "friend" for the duration of our tour.
A Walk around Florence
When we leave the Accademia Gallery and Michelangelo behind, we head to our next stop: a local market near the Arno River where we sample a few traditional Florentine dishes. Our group already has the lowdown on the Lampredotto and everyone at my table passes on it. I'm game, though, and it's pretty good-while hot. My second bite is cooler and the unique (ahem) texture is more evident. A sip of wine is a welcome chaser.
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After the market, Rita & I cross the Arno River with our Canadian friends, Chris & Colleen. We four are proper friends now and find a cute place for lunch. We have a great time while sharing an excellent meal and good conversation. After lunch we part company (for now) and go our separate ways.
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Rita and I spend the rest of the afternoon touring the Pitti Palace & strolling the Boboli Gardens before returning to the hotel to get ready for our last night in Florence.
Central Market, Florence
Arno River, Florence