Florence...

Again we woke up early and had breakfast at the hotel. When then walked down to the Santa Maria Novella train station and caught the CitySightseeing Firenze bus tour. We then caught line A and rode the loop. Amoung other things we saw the Porta Romana and the Plaza Michelangelo. Which although outside the walls, looks over the entire city.

From there we continued on to Via de Tornabuoni, the high end shopping street, and got off the bus. We then walked to Ponte Vecchio and walked across the bridge and checked out all the gold vendors. From there we continued on to the Ufizi square, but could not get in due to the long lines.

We then strolled the shopping streets in the area and continued onto the Santa Croce church and got onto the CitySightseeing bus tour line B. We took it about eight stops through the non-tourist part of town and got off at the Theatro Verdi where we found a panini shop, grabbed lunch, and then popped a squat in the middle of the square to eat. Such great people watching (both the Italians and the tourists).

We then headed out and were able to enter the Duomo proper. From there we went back outside and re-entered the side entrance to climb up to the top of the Cupola of the Duomo (Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore). We then hoofed up 463 steps to the top. Although very winded, the view from the top was amazing. We then climbed back down. From there we had a quick water and gelato stop and then climbed up the 414 steps of the Campanile. Wow!

Once finally back on terra firma we strolled back to the Fiume Arno (Arno River). Along the way we stopped at a flea market for some shopping and then checked out the bootleg purses. Afterwards we stopped for dinner. I had gnocchi, zucchini, and a side salad.

We then headed to the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata to watch the Festival of Paper Lanterns. We watched the procession into the plaza of the different bands with each being followed by kids carrying paper lanterns. There were also lots of kids with blow guns shooting putty at the lanterns. It was a lot fun. The area had the feel of a carnival complete with white cotton candy, hot dogs, french fries, candies, roasted nuts, and cookies. Watching the machine make the cookies was very entertaining. We then hoofed it back to the hotel and called it a night.