Firenze

Saturday 19-Monday 21 August (Happy 80th Birthday Nanna and 22nd Michelle)

There's no doubt about it, Florence is beautiful. In contrast to Rome it is cleaner and perhaps more livable, and, to continue the comparisons, what it lacks in character it makes up in charm. Besides the sunsets here are spectacular (photos to come).

After getting off the train we caught the bus to our campsite without too much hassle, after which we made ourselves comfortable and then headed down the hill into the city (did I mention our campsite has excellent views of the city from above). Around 300,000 live in Florence, which makes it a manageable city to get around on foot and much of our time here has involved wandering the narrow paved streets past leather traders and counterfeit Gucci, Armani and Prada sellers to marble-clad churches, busy piazzas, dozens of sculptures (including a few /David /copies) and giant stone buildings.

When we get tired we stop for a caffé americano, a couple of pizze or a caffé freddo.
This is Italy and everything is done the Italian way!