Florence

The hotel had booked a ticket for us for the Uffizzi gallery last night - so it was all pretty painless getting in - a few short queues to pick up the ticket and get an audioguide, but no queue at the entrance.

We both thoroughly enjoyed the gallery - the audioguide was great as it picked out a few paintings in each room to discuss, then we could take it all at our own speed. We spent most of the day there - with a break out on the terrace for a coffee. Fra Angelico, Boticelli, Michaelangelo, Rembrandt, Caravaggio - we enjoyed them all.

Some delicious soup for lunch, then a wnader and we found ourselves at Basilica San Croce - this is a magnificent old church - in the process of having its magnificent frescos restored. There was also an interesting crypt full of tombstones, a scuplture exhibition and an amzing museum of religious artefacts including an incredible old byzantine style cross and a statue by Donatello.

Back to the hotel for a short rest before heading out to dinner with the Verweys to a restaurant recommended by Nicole's friend Karina. Unfortunately it was full, so we ate a few doors up - a good meal of pasta (3 types) and meat and salad. After dinner we wandered over to the Petti Palace, then back over the Ponte Vecchio where we paused to listen to a busker singing in the warm evening air to a quiet crowd. Ahh, the dolce vita ......