To - Firenze
Distance - 73km
Time - 4 hours
Total - 4382km
I enjoyed a 'Grumpy' pizza at the hotel restaurant. It was spicy salami, red onions and cheese. It was a whopper that was properly made in a pizza oven on the premises. I watched the Brazil v Italy football as well and it was a good match, finishing 4-2 to Brazil.
The morning started with a good breakfast again. I think I was the only resident but the lady put on a full spread as if there were 10 residents. I got set off again and quickly started more climbing. Up Passo della Raticosa at 968m which is about 3000 feet. Then down again and up another hill to over 900 m again. After that it was a long long downhill and then a nice undulating route towards Florence. The weather had become cool and cloudy, so much so I felt damp and chilly. It possibly spoiled some of the views of Tuscany but it was still bellsimo coming down to Florence with the Duomo (Cathedral) dominating the skyline.
As I got into Florence the sun started to break through and it was glorious from then onwards. The forecast for the next days is a little mixed! Of course the city was very busy with pesky tourists. The Duomo was not open till 1.30pm on a Sunday so I gave it a miss today. It is certainly the biggest attraction both in size and grandeur! I was trying to orientate myself but didn't have a tourist map and couldn't find a tourist info centre. I saw the Cappelle Medicee and the Orsantemichelle Church. Next I went to the Piazza della Signora where there are many wonderful statues that look very familiar. The fountain of Neptune is good and the statues outside the Palazzio Vecchio are excellent. The entrance to the Palazzio Vecchio is guarded by two men in old costumes. I went into the entrance hall and took a few photos in an area before you have to pay. When I came out it was time for the changing of the guard and there was a nice bit of pageantry as the new guards were escorted in with drummers and trumpeters.
I looked all around for Zeberdee, Dougall and Dylan but they were nowhere to be found! You knew that I had to get that one in!
I decided it was time to find the Hostel and get a shower. The hostel is a little bit out of the centre and near the stadium. There was a concert taking place at the stadium by a well known Italian Pop star, who I have never heard of, called Lorenzo Jovanotti. The audience seemed to be very young. I will probably hear the performance from the hostel.
I arrived at the hostel and it is a very lovely old villa with many of the original features including marble carvings in the reception. I am in a room of four and have a top bunk for the second time this trip. I had a chat with a man who has travelled all over the world and now lives in Italy and has written tourist guide books. He gave me a few tips for my short stay. I now have a game plan for tomorrow.
In the evening I rode back towards the centre and went for a self service meal at San Marco Piazza where my guide friend had told me to go. The food looked lovely, it wasn't so much as self service. I pointed to what I wanted and they plated it up and I put it on a tray and sat down. I will definitely go here again. I had a slice of pizza, some ratatouille and followed by some beef stewed in red wine and sooooo tender!
I have taken the major step of booking accommodation in Rome from 29th June to 2nd July and even more dramatic I have booked my return flight back to Manchester on Tuesday 2nd July. The end is nigh!
Photo 1, View looking back to Bologna direction.
Photo 2, Passo della Raticosa.
Photo 3, Cloudy view.
Photo 4, Cycle race.
Photo 5, First views down to Florence.
Photo 6, Fortezza de Basso - nothing much inside except temporary exhibitions.
Photo 7, Duomo - I don't think it is possible to get a photo that captures it. It is really big.
Photo 8, Inside Orsantemichelle Church - Madonna and Child painting by Daddi over the altar on the right. I tried for a better picture but the attendant stopped me taking photos!
Photo 9, Piazza della Signora - I think this is a statue of Neptune!
Photo 10, Hostel where I am staying, nice isn't it!
Photo 11, Succulent beef in a red wine sauce at a selfservice cafe, that's what I like good value
Photo 12, San Marco church. I didn't get a look in yet but I'm told it has some top art inside.
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