Around Florence

On the Monday morning, we had tickets for Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, the cathedral, and the Duomo. Maybe we were a bit slow or the information wasn't as clear as it could have been, but we didn't realise we had tickets to climb the Duomo until we were starting climbing. There are 463 steps to the top.

A well deserve pause.

It starts with a square spiral staircase, which was reasonably roomy. But I was still happy to pause and look at the statues. On the way up we also went around the lower inside part of the dome.

Looking down on the church

Looks unpleasant

Then the stairs become a never-ending (or feels like) spiral staircase. I managed to stop a few times to take a few photos (and a breathe).

The lat part was a steep staircase and ladder to the top. The view was worth it.

Shadow of the Dome

At the top

Over the edge

For some of the way down it was the same route as the way up, which was interesting when other people were coming up. There were some close encounters. We also went along the upper inner part of the dome, and got close up to the paintings.

When we got down, we headed to a cafe in the plaza around the cathedral for a much needed rest.

Our tickets included entry to the main part of the cathedral, the baptistry, and the bell tower. The queue to get into the cathedral was too long to bother but there was no queue for the baptistry, so we popped in. A baptistry is just a smaller chapel and this one was older than the cathedral. And the bell tower was another 414 steps so we decided against that one.)

We did a bit of shopping before dropping our bags off at the hotel and headed towards Santa Croce and the other markets for a little more shopping.

Neptune

More ice-cream

Santa Croce is a lovely church and is the burial place of Galileo, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli.

Not sure how he is but he is not happy.

doing restoration.

Michelangelos tomb.

Galileos tomb.

Galileo with his telescope.

A Henry Moore

We headed back to the central market for a late lunch again but didn't quite make it in one go. Cannoli was on our 'must do' list and this seemed like the perfect time. 

Pistachio and chocolate

We finally made it to the central market (thankfully with minimal badgering from the street market) and up stairs for food. Again a lovely person came and brought us wine.

Lunch

We spent the afternoon chilling out before our last nights dinner.

So pretty

So tasty

At this point, we really did not want to go home.

Food and Wine Tuscany Tour

On the Saturday we went on what was described as a Tuscany Food and Wine tour. It was more a tour of places associated with food and wine for the most part. The first stop was a vineyard and winery where we did a wine tasting so at least it started well. The winery was called Abbadia Ardenga, near Montepulciano. The views were lovely and we got a brief talk outside with an introductory glass of wine before moving inside for a view of the cellars and a full tasing. 

View from the winery.

It was only about 10.30am so a little early for wine, but hey, we were on holiday so why not? And the wine was so good. 

The winery's best wine.

They mostly make Brunello di Montepulciano (made with Sangiovese gross grapes). It can only be made in this area and is very nice. It has to be aged for 5 years before it can be sold.

We got a tasting of 3 different wines. I even got Caroline drinking and enjoying red wine! We also got some fresh bread and homemade olive oil. 

After the tasting we went to Montalcino. We had a wonder around and look at the views as the town is set on a hill. There wasn't much to see and most of the shops were shut for lunch.

Streets of Montalcino

View out.

Community garden

From there we went to Pienza. We were supposed to have another wine tasting with some cheese, but it was inside a shop which was too small for our group and so more than a little chaotic. So we grabbed the wine and then left the group to go and get some lunch. We found a lovely little restaurant and I tried polenta with a wild boar sauce which was amazing.

The last stop was Montepulciano, the hilltop town the wine is named after. We got dropped off at the bottom of the hill and walked up. And up and up and up. On the way up there was a statue of a horse I really wish I had stopped to take a photo off (I didn't want to loose the group and it was too dark on the way down). This horse was anatomically correct (and oddly detailed) and look very happy with himself. 

We headed up, looking for the central square where there was a Christmas market. Which of course was at the very top of the hill. The very long hill.

But we did make it and the markets were very colourful. 

It was dark when we walked down and enjoyed the lights. I am looking forward to Christmas now.

The tour was ok though not what we expected. And though the guide was good, she was more there to get us from one place to the next. And you better not be late for the bus. On the first stop a couple were about 5 minutes late, and the bus was starting to leave without them. Oddly enough after that, everyone was early for the bus!