Florence... What a fabulous city...

Well the next leg of my journey was to get to Florence from Milan. I made my way on the tram towards the Piazza Duomo and grabbed a taxi. I got onto the train which luckily enough the cheapest seats available when I booked were in the executive carriage... Well... Free papers, free drinks, leather seats.. All very posh... A very nice train ride down to Florence.

I got off the train in Firenze and instantly the heat hit me... Wow!!! Milan really had been cold and rainy... It was glorious here... I grabbed a taxi to meet the girl waiting for me to show me my apartment. I settled in and then got to organising going to have some food :) 

I made my way down to the nearest bus stop and found a tobacconists to buy my bus tickets. I spoke to the chap and he told me I take bus 17 to the centre as that was the best one... I promptly took myself to the bus stop and awaited the next bus. Bus stops in Florence are really good as the majority show you how many minutes until the next bus... I made my way successfully to the centre and of course the first major view to greet me was the Duomo. It's such an arresting sight. You are literally stopped in your tracks when you first spy it... 

I started wandering around the back streets around the duomo to find somewhere small to eat and found a great restaurant near the central market. 

Once I had eaten I made my way to the supermarket to stock up on supplies for the apartment and then wandered back to the square where i knew I had to get my bus. I noted a small place on the corner that charged €8 for unlimited buffet and a cocktail... Must remember that!!! 

The following day I decided to wander around the historical centre, no map, and just see where I ended up. I wandered through the florentine streets and just kept finding beautiful side streets with gorgeous little restaurants and shops. Everything is so beautiful in Florence. As I was walking, I came across the fountain used in 'Hannibal'. It's a wild boar, and you are supposed to rub it's nose which brings you luck, and you place a coin in its mouth, and if it falls into the grate first time, it's twice the luck... Surprisingly mine didn't! I kept walking and just kept finding beautiful places :) 

The following day I wandered down the the Ponte Vecchio and for a walk along the river. The Ponte Vecchio means 'old bridge' and it's probably one of the most photographed bridges in the world. As you wander accross the jumbled cobbles you come to a break half way over and the railings are absolutely covered in padlocks - love locks. It's a lovely sight. The walls are also covered in love graffitti although this is highly illegal!!! The bridge is lined with jewellery shops selling the most exquisite gold jewellery but unless you have a fortune, I'd stick to the markets! 

I then made my way back to the bus but not before I stopped to have the €8 buffet and cocktail! Well.. It was the strongest cosmopolitan I have ever had... And that includes ones I have made! I then helped myself to a couple of platefuls of great food... (Small plates!) there was everything from pasta to pizza to rice to salad... It was great :) 

So the next day took me to Piazzale Michelangelo. This is a hill that overlooks Florence and has a replica of Micelangelo's David. The views are simply stunning. 

I then took a slow wander down the hill through a beautiful rose garden in search for some food... 

I then was lucky enough to stumble across which possibly could be the cheapest restaurant in Florence. I had Bruschetta, a mixed salad, 2 glasses of wine and an espresso and it was €10!! I couldn't believe how cheap it was.. And it tastes good! 

So after 4 days in Florence, wandering the small city it was time to visit somewhere different... 

Siena...