Jim & Happy : Florence

The drive from Avignon to Florence for the most part was easier for Jim until we hit the city centre where our hotel and car park are located. Once we entered the labyrinth of narrow streets lined with tall buildings the GPS went into a spin continually telling us to turn round. We went round in circles till we recognized the street we were meant to be in, so close but so difficult to drive into. The anxiety levels weren’t helped with most of the streets being one way, congested with pedestrians, scooters and cars all travelling at the Italian pace - fast. Finally we drove into the car park sighing with relief once again to be where we were meant to be. Our hotel was a 5-minute walk down the road.

Travelling by car is definitely a challenge, one the three of us are getting better at each road trip. You know the old saying ‘it is about the journey not the destination’ that is certainly the case with us. I do feel a tad bad about making Laurel spend long journeys in the car with us but we need the car to get around for the next three months till we fly out of Paris on January 1^st.

Florence has a relaxed feel regardless of the crowds. It is an easy city to wander around once you get your bearings. There are a couple of piazzas (squares) that help to orientate you around the many narrow streets. Our hotel is right off Piazza del Duomo, a busy street of hotels, cafes and restaurants.

Laurel and I were here 25 years ago but stayed on the other side of the River Tiber below Michelangelo Square. We walked up to it yesterday evening. It’s worth the climb and walk for a spectacular view over Florence even with Jim trailing behind saying ‘are we there yet’ more in jest than serious.

Yesterday we walked and walked around the streets looking at the buildings and architecture. There are queues to get into the churches and museums but not as long as the summer months. Having only two days here we have chosen not to queue preferring to ‘look, see and experience’ the city and go on a Vespa tour.

We have enjoyed drinks at a café a couple of doors down from our hotel. Jim has struck up a friendship with the owner. He lived in Adelaide till he was a teenager then came to live in Florence. The local food has been fresh and tasty. We have enjoyed the bread, salads, pizza, pasta and risotto. Last night Laurel and I enjoyed a prawn, saffron & zucchini risotto. Not salty like the previous nights porcini mushroom risotto. The Italians can be a bit heavy handed with the salt. Jim ordered fresh crab risotto. He was surprised and happy when it arrived. It was a smashed crab sitting on top of his risotto rice. A most enjoyable meal to say arrivederci to Florence.

There is a cycle race here for the week so by 9.30am each day the roads are barricaded and closed for the day. Lucky for us on our arrival into Florence it was 6.30pm and the races had finished for the day. The aim this morning was to leave by 8.30am to miss the traffic and road closures – achieved, we drove out of the car park at 8.15am. We’re currently driving on our way to Roma. It is a 3.5hour drive. We’re booked into a car park near the airport for the next 9 days. The car parks provide a free shuttle to the airport; there we’ll catch a taxi to our apartment in Rome. We are in Rome for two nights. Our flight is at 8pm on Friday night to Malta. We will be there for a week. It will be nice to stay put.