Italy – Florence

Posted by ourjotterbook on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 · 2 Comments 

I first learnt about this beautiful city when i watched the movie “Calmi Cuori Appassionati” which starred Takenouchi Yutaka and Kelly Chen some years ago. Takenouchi Yutaka looks really young then and he is so freaking gorgeous in the movie. There were topless scenes *drools* of him posing as an artist’s model and lucky Kelly get to share intimate scenes with him. Takenouchi Yutaka also spoke italian at some point in the movie *OMG* *GUUSH* damn hot lor……Ok…i am getting a little carried away.. back to Florence…other than the Takenouchi Yutaka factor, the movie captured breathtaking views of Florence. After i saw the movie, i was like..” i have to go to Florence!” and especially climb up the Duomo just like what the couple in the movie did.

Piazza della Santissima Annunziata

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo)

Battistero di San Giovanni

After eating, we would need to erm…use the toilet and we came upon this interesting gallery.

Interior of the Duomo

That's how we look cartoonized.

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

Palazzo Vecchio

Another statue of Michelangelo's David. The Original one is in the Accademia, which we were not allowed to take any pictures

Long queues at the Uffizi Gallery

Ponte Vecchio

Another statue of David at Piazza Michelangelo

Piero offered to take the previous picture for the both of us after he saw us trying to set an auto timer. We felt so fortunate to have met wonderful extraordinary people like Piero. Despite the language barrier, he told us stories of his beautiful city with as much English he can muster. I believe he is a regular at Piazza Michelangelo. Who wouldn't with a view like that.

Walk pass a shop selling games and comics... The shop had a huge basement with many people playing Magic the gathering!

Cute doggie owned by the host was at our corridor. I have never met a friendlier dog. I guess the dog is so used meeting different people at the hostel.

We had a great stay at Casa Nuestra. The host really went beyond his way to give us a rather detailed guide on the places to visit and recommendations on places to eat. We were so surprised to come back to nice and cleaned room with snacks and refreshments on our first day as we would not expect a hostel to do housekeeping everyday.

We were quite fascinated when we saw this old school elevator. We realized later that in Italy this type of elevator is pretty common.

The balcony overlooks the Fiorentina's Stadio Artemio Franchi

Piazza della Signoria

Basilica di Santa Croce

Michelangelo's tomb

Galileo's tomb

Fiesole

If i could, i would perfect my cycling skill and i would love to live in Florence and cycle thru this charming old city everyday. However, i am just a tourist so as a tourist these are the 3 things which you MUST DO in Florence.

1) Climb up the Duomo. It might take some stamina but its worth it. You will know when you reach the top.

2) Watch the sun sets at Piazza Michelangelo and enjoy the quiet beauty of Florence with the Duomo close in sight. It’s magical in the dusk.

3) Take a scenic bus ride (no. 7) uphill to small town Fiesole in the morning and see local folks doing their early morning workouts. They are really friendly and greets you with “Buongiorno!”. From Fiesole, you can have an unobstructed bird eye view of the whole city of Florence and its surrounding hills. You can even make out the faint shape of the Duomo from afar.

Yee