Florence... wish we could have stayed longer

Florence is what I think of when anyone talks about "Italy" (this may be credited to my love of the movie Under the Tuscan Sun). The villas, the warm glow, the vineyards... Definitely feeling excited, even more so because Florence is flat!   We made it out of the chaos of the La Spezia train station without battle wounds (a definite win). Right from the start, Florence had a great vibe. We were told of a special event at the Accademia that night where we could see the David for free. Before that, we made our way to the Uffizi, home of the greatest Renaissance works. It really made us reflect on the art and architecture that we are leaving behind. Hmmm... How do you feel about the addition of the Shard to the London skyline?   So what do you do when you are the 2nd people in line, 20 minutes before a free gallery opening? Go buy a tub of gelato from the corner market and proceed to eat the whole thing. Then marvel at the perfection of the David and how pig-ish you now feel, comforting yourself with the thought that David did not have access to gelato. But in all seriousness, the percision that David is carved out is stunning.   Next day in Florence was a day in a Tuscan kitchen... But that's another post :)   After an amazing meal, what to do what to do? We decided this would be a good time to climb up the duomo dome (cupola del dumo) - 463 steps each way. Our inner cinque terre hikers were itching for another climb. Another view completely worth it. It's amazing how well thought the art and engineering is and that they started the dome knowing that eventually someone will come along to complete it.   A quick trip to the designer outlets (think absolutely crazies and Parimal on a 8:45 am bus), with a day of wandering the streets of Florence, which led to us joining a night parade!   Wish we could stay... but the Amalfi Coast beckons!