Le Journal de +Louise

Trip Report – {Florence 7 Nov 2008}

We arrived into Florence’s Santa Maria Novella Station via Eurostar. The train ride was smooth, the cabins were comfortable and the best bit was the power outlets located at every seat’s table. It made the 4.5 hour train ride slightly more bearable.

Our itinerary was to leave our luggage at our BnB and then rush to the train station again, board the next train out to Pisa.

Prior to our trip, I have read all about the infamous Italian train strikes and have been crossing my fingers that we would not encounter one. But, of course, as luck would have it, half way to Pisa, our train came to a complete halt in the middle of nowhere.

The PA announcements were all in Italian, and when I asked around, nobody seemed to be able to speak English, until a kind American advised me that students were protesting on the tracks and trains are not expected to head into Pisa for another 5 hours! With that, we decided to cross the platform and catch the returning train back to Florence.

Alloro Bed and Breakfast

Alloro Bed and Breakfast is tucked away in a quiet street off the main pulse of Florence. Christian, the owner’s son, who is the most accommodating, honoured our request for the ‘red’ room. And the reviews on Tripadvisor were spot on, and the room definitely did not disappoint!

San Lorenzo Market

Florence, known for its Renaissance splendour, precious carved cameos, and of course, leatherwork.
Unfazed by the sudden change of plan, we decided to hit San Lorenzo market right away. The smell of leather was intoxicating…

I bought one and wore it straightaway!

Leo haggling away for his lined lambskin gloves… They’re divine!

We were ravenous after our leather shopping spree and decided to stop by a quaint little restaurant (which name I have regrettably forgotten to note down)

I discovered my liking for pollo e funghi pizzas; and Leo learnt the difference between bellisimo and bollisimo (in the most embarrassing way)!

Accademia

The Florentine gallery houses the infamous David statue by Michelangelo. David’s statue was moved from outdoors and into the gallery for conservation purposes.

Photography was strictly prohibited within the premises, however, I managed to curl up in an unassuming corner and tried my hardest to quietly snap away, before 2 burly female guards came running towards me and blurting out incomprehensible (in what I can only assume to be) polite italian.

Duomo/Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore

The marble panels are in different shades of green and pink, bordered by white and is part of an elaborate 19th century gothic revival facade. The basilica remains as one of Italy’s largest churches and its dome is the largest brick dome in the world.

We booked tickets for a tour out to the designer outlets bright and early the next morning, so we decided to turn in around 10pm.