Florence-Day 1

 Kevin’s long awaited, much anticipated sabbatical finally began on Sunday June 1st. Since Tax Season ended on 4/15, he had been working almost the same amount trying to get clients sorted & taken care of before his sabbatical began. 

And on Tuesday 6/2, we headed off to Italy.

First stop was Florence. 

Our flight from Atlanta to Venice arrived a little late, but we were still able to get the shuttle bus to the train station & make the high speed train to Florence. Then after finding our apartment, meeting our host, and getting settled, we found a lovely little Osteria just a few blocks away. 

Dinner & some desserts were divine.

The following morning we walked across the river & headed to the Uffizi for our early morning entrance.

The gallery space is stunning.

And everywhere you look, there are masterpieces on display.

Our apartment host had told us to go up to the top floor, then work our way down to the ground floor & we followed her (wise) advice. 

And after we finished exploring the top floor, we took a break at the Terrace cafe & enjoyed some cappuccino’s, & pastries.

Refueled, we tackled the next floor, some crowds, and more amazing masterpieces.

After we finished soaking in our art, we headed over for a full view of Il Duomo.

Like the Ufizzi, it lives up to the hype:

Stunning.

And we got a glimpse of the replicas of The Gates of Paradise that the boys studied in grammar school.

Also stunning.

Then we ducked into a cafe for lunch, followed the crowds across the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and enjoyed some gelato while checking out the exterior of Pitti Palace. Then an early dinner & recover from jet lag.

Well played 1st day.