Florence.. the Birthplace of Italian Renaissance..

This time, it's Fiorenza the Italia.. (^_^)/

We had our breakfast at Moderno Hotel (in Pisa) quite early in the morning.. As after that heavy breakfast, we need to catch the train to Fiorenza. About an hour and a quarter, my sisters and I reached Fiorenza and we walked to the hotel (Uda-chan booked it earlier..)

Hence, it’s still early.. just 5 past 10, so we could only kept our begs there.. as check in can only be done after 1.00 pm.. But it’s okey.. at least we don’t have to walk around Fiorenza with those heavy begs on our shoulders rite (^_^)..

Luckily, our hotel was next to the bazaars.. There are like ‘pasar malam’ or streets-market in here.. with all the streets stalls and kiosks along the walking path.. So, we did some shopping!! (^^,) as well as went to several locations highlighted by Uda-chan..

After a couple of hours, we walked from the bazaars towards Florence Cathedral: Il Duomo Florence or formally known as Santa Maria del Fiore (which means Our Lady of the Flower)..

Nana!? You look like Cyclops.. hahaha

Il Duomo Florence was built in early 1296.. as designed in Gothic style and finished in 1436. Quite a long period to be completed and during that time, this duomo had been touched here and there by quite a number of architects.. so after it had been finished, the cathedral had various elements of architecture within one single building..

Il Duomo Florence (building with the dome at the back)

Next, we moved to Santa Croce.. Where another cathedral is located: Basilica of Santa Croce. It is the burial place for some of the most illustrious Italians; like Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli.. just to pick a few.. As for that it’s also known as the Temple of the Italian Glories..

Basilica of Santa Croce

Then we walked to San Lorenzo, before to Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio (The Old Palace)..

San Lorenzo

Piazza della Signoria

Palazzo Vecchio

Oh!.. we can see lots of people performing streets mime here.. Especially near the area of Uffizi's Gallery.. All the way, along the street outside the gallery.. As usual, we need to pay if we want to take pictures with them (^_^)..

Via degli Speziali... near to Piazza della Repubblica

Piazza della Repubblica is like a centre of Firenza. There are lots of cultural cafes and palaces. It is also a place where lots of artists and famous writers met and gathered..

Actually I’m not so sure which one, but what can be seen here.. There were a lot of people hanging around and some was drawing some pictures of beautiful scenery of Firenza, along the road and streets.. but the price was quite expensive..

Bibliotica Nationale Centrale (National Central Library)

It’s lunch time.. We were craving to try the most special spaghetti here.. and since Uda-chan had been here before, so she took us to this very well known for a homemade spaghetti restaurant (^^i).. and no wonder why they’ve been so famous here.. It’s sooo yummy! (^-^)v.. Sugoi oishii!

Let's eat.. ittadakimass

The tummies were so full.. After the lunch we moved to Patti Palace. The history of the palaces is.. it used to be a residence for Medici family in 1549 (one of the most VIP family in Tuscany) and it was also had been used as a power base by Napoleon..

Pitti Palace

Let’s continue the walking and sight-seeing activities.. before we moved to the ‘Golden Bridge’

Luxury boutiques along Florence prestigious Via de Tornabuoni

The Gold Bridge

There are 2 rows of shops along the bridge and they sell only gold with rubies and pearls and jewelleries.. that’s how the bridge get its name.. and we can see the gold sparkling from far (^^i).. haha.. No.. no.. just kidding.. Actually from far, the bridge looks very cute and pleasant.. as we can see all the back wall of the shops.. which was colourfully painted..

On the way back to the hotel.. we found a chain at the corner of the road next to Arno River.. there were lots of padlocks hanging and attached to that chain (^_^).. Some said that, if we locked a padlock written our name along with our partner’s name on it, then we will be together eternally.. haha so tahyul (^^i)..

The chain with countless padlocks attached

Cute and romantic cafe.. de amour (^^i)

Since we have been walking around Fiorenza for hours.. so, we need to reached our hotel as soon as possible.. so worn-out.. Beside we need to check in and solah..

Pinochio Shop

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After 7.00 pm we were out again.. Actually we need to check our ticket to Rom for tomorrow trip.. Even though we were so malas to go out, but we have to.. So.. to the train station.. ( ^_' )/

Train station

Oh!.. OTW back from the train station, we met a group of Chinese from Malaysia.. They said they came here for the Shoes Art Competition, maybe they were one of the contestant.. Eh! They might be.. presenting Jimmy Choo.. who knows? Haha (^^')..


Guideline for those who want to go to Florence.. just click the link below:
[10 Reasons to Visit Florence Italia]


Oh!.. Just a little advice

Be sure to buy those leather begs.. masquerade party masks and the drawings along the streets and markets.. or else you might be regret then.. huhu (^_^)v..