I spent 4 days in Florence. But it felt like a lifetime. We arrived in the evening at the central station and took a taxi through the narrow, winding, cobbled streets to the entrance to our apartment with no idea that behind those doors lay 69 steep steps to be climbed...
Out of breath and tired from the journey we threw our bags down and explored the rooms, finding a small door that was stiff to open. Having forced it free with discovered yet more steps and wearily trudged upwards to be met by the most amazing view that I will never forget (below image).
The next few days were spent exploring this oasis of a city: marvelling at the architecture, absorbing the sun and testing the gelato!
We visited various galleries and churches, skipped across the Ponte Vecchio and said "hi" to David at the Accademia gallery.
On our final day we took the bus to Sienna and discovered a whole new world of secret streets and colorful shutters. After coffee and buns in a cafe on the central Paleo it was time to conqueror yet more steps and climb the Torre del Mangia, which at the time of its build was one of the tallest secular towers in medieval Italy.
The view was quite incredible but it was a relief to be back on terra firma once again.
Florence is a city that will live on in me forever and one that I vowed to return to, the minute we left. Until then, these photos will have to suffice. xx