Florence - A Dream Came True

Day one:

It was sad to say goodbye to Lucerne today. I wish I had spent a few less days in Paris and instead here, however, at least I now have a good reason to visit again.

My train left just after 12pm so managed to have a sleep in and pack before going. The train ride was amazing and breathtaking, so strange again to go across the border without anyone checking my passport. Also as a lot of southern Switzerland is on the border of Italy a lot of the place names were in Italian.

I had to change trains in Milan so didn’t see any of the sites but did see that things were a lot cheaper. After getting to my hostel I found that there were no bunk beds (yay) there is also a pool so will have to check that out.

Day two:

I didn’t have the best sleep but did get up early to take a hop on hop off bus around the city. Florence is just so magical, one of my fav movies is A Room With A View and I finally got to see some of the filming locations. Luckily the first stop was next to the train station which only a short walk from my hostel. I took the first route to Piazzale Michelangelo where there is a replica of the famous statue and the most amazing views of the city. Also where I found the most tacky gifts, almost all of the stands sell rosary beads. Plus the wonderful apron bellow.

You could change busses here and I took the more scenic route and went up to Fiesole. There is where I’m guessing all the rich people live as the views are amazing - plus the houses are huge. Need to use google maps to find out which ones have a pool before inviting myself over.

We got back into the main area and I hopped off to find the create your own magnum (ice cream shop). I instead wandered into this square called Piazza della Signoria where there are the most amazing marble statues. I took a pic of my fav one. I also had my first gelato - pineapple and cherry. I have decided as I’m in Italy for just under two weeks to try one new flavour every day.

I then realised I was completely in the wrong direction to make my ice cream so decided to come back another day. Getting back I fell asleep and after dinner I tried out the pool.

I’ve been feeling self conscious since Paris and it took a lot of effort for me to get in the pool - I’m more chubby then normal. But after getting there apart from a few other people I didn’t need to worry. I call it a feel the fear and do it anyway moment. Plus some other girls my size got in the pool after me.

After the swim I settled down for an early night only to stay awake until 3am reading.

Day three:

I woke up feeling sick today but managed to get up and get something to eat. I then went back to bed and slept a few more hours. I’ve been feeling a bit lonely and depressed recently - it comes and goes. Luckily a friend messaged me on FB and we chatted for a bit and she gave me some advice. I was feeling a lot better after that.

I could not face going to a museum today so ended on the bus again just to look at the scenery. Apart from the occasional garbage smell the flowers make up for it. Honeysuckle is out at the moment and it smells amazing.

I then got some gelato - today was chocolate and tiramisu (the chocolate was a bit overpowering so will skip it tomorrow). I needed to find a supermarket and luckily found one to buy some stuff for breakfast. I’ve got a daily budget for food etc but €7 today in my hostel I thought was steap I managed to buy enough for three days for around €5. I got some pineapple yogurt and I must say I love how Europeans seem to love pineapple! It’s everywhere - drinks and gelato. I love it.

I spent the rest of the afternoon reading A Room With A View and catching up with my blog.

Day four:

Today I took a day trip to Pisa. I had awoken up late and luckily enough there is a train every 30 mins or so. It was easy to buy a ticket and so cheap only €8.90 each way. Slightly annoying though as when I got in the train there were no places to put bags people decided to take up two seats. I pointed out to someone that they didn’t buy two tickets so moved it so I can sit down. No way I was standing for over an hour!

Apart from being a bit cramped it was nice to watch the countryside go buy the rain then begin to fall and I had not bought my umbrella. As I had not thought to check the weather forcast!

Luckily once I got there it was down to a drizzle and the rain had cooled down the temperature. I had taken a bus to the square and I must say the area is much bigger then I thought. Most places only have the picture of the leaning tower but as it turns out there is a square with a huge church and a few other buildings.

After getting there is was funny to see almost everyone taking pictures / selfies of themselves pretending to push the tower. I even overheard a dad arguing with his kids as they were not standing correctly for him to take a picture. What a loverly family memory!

I decided to go inside the church and it was again amazing. Just goes to snow much money money was put into these places. In then had another look around the area before getting back to the train station.

The rain threatened again but managed to avoid it. When I got back I found the cutest mall under the station. I finally managed to buy a new phone case and a friendly optician gave me cleaning cloth for my sunglasses as they didn’t sell them.

Day five:

I woke up late as my roommates had not opened the windows but as most things open late I was not worried. I decided to visit the Uffizi Museum today to see all the paintings.

It’s only a 20 min walk but saw some really cool shops on my way and managed to adopt Gizmo. Slightly worried about tonight as of the time difference but will give him an early dinner so we don’t run into any troubles after midnight. I really love how in every city I’ve visited I’ve found a comic book / geeky store. Also glad after two years of almost no impulse shipping I’m benefiting now.

I got to the museum only to find you had to wait for a long line to buy a ticket. I was worried as it said it was a 60-90 minute wait. I waited around 30 minutes and was about to sit down on the floor (my feet were sore) when they finally let me in.

It was amazing! Plus like a time machine as many of the paintings I studied for seventh form art was here. Also got to see some of my favourite pictures of all times. The Birth Of Venus by Botichelli.

I spent the next while looking at the paintings but should say you can only see so many modonna and baby child representations (there were rooms of them).

Anyway managed to get out and found the dome church and took some pics. Then made my own magnum - vanilla with milk chocolate with strawberry, coconut and hazelnuts. Tasted pretty good.

I then headed back to my hostel and had a dip in the pool. So amazing after a humid and sticky day. I finished my day with some more of my book and packing for tomorrow.

Side note:

So right now I’m reading A Room With A View by E M Forster as the start is set in Italy. It’s so amazing to see the places mentioned and I didn’t even realise I had seen two areas until later. If you have not read the book you should do - it’s held up well in terms of writing. There was also an amazing adaptation made in the late 1980s which is quite close to the book so worth checking out as well.

This is where Lucy sees the Church and faints and George rescues here.

This is where they visit for their picnic and George kisses Lucy (spoiler alert).