Buongiorno Firenze!

Travel days are harder when you are older. That is a new truth. [Insert a lot of grumbling here.}

However, all is forgiven after a quick swim in an unheated pool and that first icy drink on the Piazza Della Signoria, watching the passing peasants (“other” tourists who haven’t had the sense to stop and get a drink yet!) and contemplating pizza choices.

Still worth it. The desserts at this place look amazing. As I was taking a pic, the waiter jokingly turned off the light on the glass case – I guess they have to get their kicks where they can in tourist season.

There was a loud table of tourists just behind Don and in my line of sight. I can’t fault them too much (though there were definitely a few cringy things), but every time the waiter turned away from a seemingly happy and engaging interaction with them, he had a “look”. I couldn’t blame him really, they were obviously going to be big tippers. I told Don that I really wanted to go over and talk to the one lady, who seemed to be “in charge” and let her know that the word is pronounced “Gra-tzee-eh” and not “Gratzee”. On our last trip, an Italian asked me why oh why the Americans pronounced it this way.

Don’t worry – I didn’t.

Then on the way home we saw a huge Diner en Blanc starting to take shape. Long tables and beautiful people.

We did manage to stay up until 9pm.

This morning we got an early start – even though we had absolutely nothing planned for the day. Except to take some exceptional shots as we wandered.

The Arno was so calm.

Lunch was at a steak place (as it turns out). Anyone who has eaten with us in the last year or so knows we have to share things, and I don’t know if you know about Florentine steaks, but they are massive and for sharing with the whole family. Although the young Chinese couple next to us actually ordered a pasta each, with a steak to follow. We wanted to see it, but finished and left before the steak arrived.

We shared bruschetta and a wild boar pasta, and we couldn’t even finish that. You could smell the garlic as the bruschetta was being served and oh . . . the tomatoes . . .

Back to our room for a two hour nap and we are back at the pool. Next stop – dinner! Ah la vita Bella . . .