Europe Part III | Florence, Italy
December 16, 2015
Florence! In July I vacationed in Italy to celebrate my 5 year wedding anniversary (and England, and France). Here you can find Part I (Positano) and Part II (Rome).
I have a lot less photos to share from Florence, and not because it was any less spectacular than the other cities we visited. In fact, it was one of my favorite places I have visited. I just spent a lot less time holding my camera, and a lot more time holding my husband’s hand in this beautiful city. It just felt romantic everywhere. I can't explain it.
Florence was less busy and smaller than Rome so we walked everywhere. We stayed at a B&B right next to the Duomo and our room had a view of it. The Duomo is massive. Walking past it every day was breathtaking.
We ate at the Mercato Centrale pretty much every day. Anytime we needed a snack we would go there. This is the place that I discovered Arancini (Italian rice balls). If I could start every day watching a cheese and prosciutto Arancini, that would be great. Because I did when I was in Florence. We also browsed at all the leather items, and I bought a small purse.
After a day of visiting The Uffizi and Academia (seeing Michelangelo’s David in real life, really is as impressive as they say it is), we searched for Procacci.
Procacci was highly recommended to me by my Uncles who have been to Florence several times. My Uncle’s exact words to me, “You will hereby order a glass of prosecco and two (little finger roll) truffle sandwiches. You will be totally delighted. You will return. You will think about buying them and taking them home but it will not work. You will return each day.” And it was so.
One evening, after watching the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo, we headed over to Ponte Vecchio, and then went to the Golden View Open Bar. I highly recommend this place for a few cocktails and an mazing view. The head bartender there was fantastic and chatted with us about the cocktail scene in Seattle, and gave us some specialty drinks they were creating for fun. Perfect night.
Best meal of my life, again my Uncle’s exact words to me, “Trattoria Sostanza. Call and make a reservation today! I’m not kidding, you don’t want to miss out. They won’t take a reservation when you get there. Don’t wait. AND get the buttered chicken. DO IT.”
On our last day we woke up early and climbed the Duomo! It is 463 steps. And you are climbing narrow steps winding through tiny passages! (Thankful I’m 5ft 2!).
