Trip 2… Florence Day 3
“Life is about adventures you take and the memories you make.
So travel often, live life with open eyes and an open heart.”
When you go to another country for a few days on your own, it can be like marmite; you’ll love every single second of it or you count down the minutes before heading back home. In this situation, I would have to love the marmite. Exploring something new, going anywhere I want, enjoying everything to its full potential, being more confident in myself, and meeting new people.
Day 3 is the last full day of my solo travels, so I wanted to plan accordingly but also not be too restrictive so I had plenty of time to explore off the beaten track. First book some tickets for nearby museums and tours. The top of the list of things to see was the Illusion Museum in Florence! Museum Afternoon Tour 1 - BOOKED! As the earliest ticket was in the afternoon, it gave me all morning to explore somewhere new. I had heard about one of the most famous art museums - Uffizi Galleries and HAD to go see it for myself. Museum Morning Tour 1 - BOOKED! After cramming yet another fulfilling breakfast, I set out and started my exploration with a spring in my step!
Going around to the other side of the Duomo, I come across a long road full of shops I recognised from home. Whilst walking away from the Apple store and H&M, I turned a corner, and what did I see? A horse carousel! A classic-looking ride that reminded me of the carousel I went on as a kid in Brighton when my mum asked the restaurant owner to switch it on just for me - which he did! Further along, the road opens up into a glorious square with Palazzo Vecchio dominating the space with its tall towers and impressive statues. The fountain of Neptune stood on one side and Loggia dei Lanzi on the other. Being in the presence of such imposing architecture and rich history was awe-inspiring.
I arrived at the Uffizi Galleries a bit too early, so walked straight through and came across another iconic structure - the Ponte Vecchio bridge. Now overrun with shops, I imagined how it would have looked when it used to be houses on top of other houses, and how the people used to live. Still a wonderous site to see, with rowers gliding down the river with the sun beating down on them with full force. I breathed deeply, fresh air filling my lungs. My God, I love Italy - even in winter!!
One word sums up the Uffizi Galleries… WOW! I took so many photos here; it’s a good job we live in a world where everything is now digital because I can’t imagine how many rolls of camera film I would have gone through if I went old-school. I would highly recommend visiting 9/10 (I didn’t get one of those walking tour headsets and, would recommend getting one or a map of the site if you can. Also, give yourself more time than you think you are going to need. There is a LOT to see, and you are going to be in the gift shop for a while deciding between all the souvenir options: Books, postcards, accessories, bookmarks, the list goes on! I bought a pencil case, magnets, and bookmarks.
Time had got away from me, meaning I had to rush to the illusion museum. Luckily this was only a five-minute walk from the Uffizi Galleries. Tucked down a little side street, just about wide enough to fit a single small car down, I came across the banner outside the door. Getting in was very simple; they even gave you a locker if you wanted to store your belongings somewhere while fully experiencing the illusions around you.
If you’re on your own like I am, the staff can take the photos for you to get the full experience so you don’t miss out. Just ask and they don’t mind at all. The darker illusions upstairs are related to colour and can mess with your eyes a little bit at times. I would recommend this experience and rate it 7/10. I had the opposite timing issues here and could easily have seen everything within the hour.
After all the museum exploration and all that walking, it was time for lunch. While enjoying a tuna mayo sandwich and a hot chocolate in a quaint corner café, I called home to catch up with family. This little café reminded me of the restaurant I went to the night before, with its pastries and cakes lined up as you go through the door. It was a cosy little tuckaway café in the center of Florence. Friendly staff and great service. Pop in if you’re passing. 9/10 - Highly recommend!
I have a ritual for every time I go on holiday - purchase a piece of jewellery that can only be found in that country and show the country’s colour if possible. Having looked at every jewellery store I had passed, I was starting to worry that I was running out of time to find something. Sunset was coming in the next hour or so, and I had planned to take in the view from the Piazzale Michelangelo. The bridge of shops I had seen earlier was on the way so I headed back to look in the shops to see if there were any jewellers. I hit the jackpot! Both sides of the bridge were awash with jewellers, many of which were out of my budget but, as I walked further down, I saw a beautiful bracelet in a window. It was perfect; silver chain (like the rest of my jewellery), green jewel flowers, and subtle. I had to get it! The lady in the store was very friendly and liked my jewellery ritual when I told her.
Holiday Bracelet - OBTAINED!
Now it was time for the biggest event of this journey. One of the reasons I came to Florence; was to look over the city during sunset. Walking down the side of the river to head to the park, I was starting to reflect on the journey so far and how far I’ve come to get to this point in time. From finding the confidence to book my first solo holiday, to actually being here in this beautiful city discovering its hidden gems and bold art. Florence is now a part of me and will be there forever.
I arrived at the top of the park hill, after going up its twisting path, hoping I would make it in time.
There it was… Florence, in all its glory. The sun’s rays bounced off the big landmarks that I had seen on my journey and turned the clouds magnificent shades of pink and red. I could sit and look at this view for hours! A gem indeed; what a site to see. 11/10 - Highly recommend! Get here early to secure your space as it fills up quickly with others coming to take in the scenery or trying to capture that perfect picture.
Watching the sun slowly setting, determined not to leave until the last moment, I finally decided it was sadly time to leave the site and head back to my hotel and find the final place to have dinner. So, taking the final photos and a last long look at the view in front of me, filing it away in the “Great Memories” part of my mind, I slowly headed back down the hill, and along the river. Crossing a different bridge, I came across a statue of a man walking off the bridge, making it look like it was walking on water with the sunset in front of it, I quickly snapped a photo; you don’t get to see that every day! This trip is getting greater by the minute! I passed an ancient sundial on the floor with a long line of zodiac signs, lit-up galleries, and glowing statues; it all seemed dream-like. Something drew me back to the carousel to see it lit up in all its glory. One last look at it reminded me of that evening from my childhood in Brighton with my mum. Pure magic. No wonder I once sang about the carousel horses. With a musician playing the accordion nearby, it was another picture-perfect feeling stamped into my memory. 10/10 highly recommend!
Dinner was in a gorgeous little restaurant down a side road near my hotel that had great reviews online. Walking towards it down the otherwise empty little street I suddenly felt nervous for the first as a couple of guys were hanging around but once I got in my worries melted away. All the staff were women and they welcomed me greatly into their beautifully rustic restaurant. This time I chose another Italian delicacy - a meat feast Calzone. A great dinner to finish this whole journey on. 10/10 - gooey and delicious.
Being my last night, I had to have my final Gelato of the trip. I can say enough about how amazing Don Nino’s Gelatos and macaroons are. All their flavours looked amazing and I wish I had more time to try more.
Reluctantly, not wanting the journey to come to an end, I headed back to my hotel to pack my suitcase and prepare for tomorrow’s departure from this magical city.
Only a few hours left in Florence, better end it with a bang!
Ciao for now!
E x
