the Duomo in Florence
I love the fact that Florence is an easy day trip from Bagni di Lucca. I catch the 7.50am bus from the village, change buses in Lucca to the DD – diretissima – at 8.55am and I am in Florence by 10.10am. Then it is straight to Giacosa for a coffee and a snack and I am off to explore Florence.
flags flying in front of the Palazzo Vecchio
The European Union flag, the Italian flag and the Florentine flag fly in front to the Palazzo Vechio in Piazza Signoria.
fake David outside Palazzo Vecchio
he looks good from any angle
the view from the Ponte Vecchio
on the Ponte Vecchio
detail on the statue
pigeons sheltering on the Ponte Vecchio
a Florentine policeman
the Duomo
the church with campanile
looking at the Arno from the Ponte Vecchio
The best thing to do in Florence is just wander. If you get away from the main streets and the crowds, it is delight to discover wonderful old houses and interesting shops tucked away. Of course, you have to do the usual things, like the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. These things are popular because they are amazing. Go to Florence as often as you can.
Love the coppers on the Sedgeway! Also love the photo of the view from the Ponte Vecchio. Merry Christmas to all!
By: Moira Drexler on December 25, 2010
at 3:43 pm
I’ve been there! It looks so beautiful, just like my memories of 30 years ago! Thanks Deb, hope you’re having a wonderful festive season! xx
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on December 25, 2010
at 9:22 pm
Florence is very beautiful. I am so lucky that I can go regularly. I love it.
By: bagnidilucca on December 25, 2010
at 9:44 pm
It is a beautiful City – Deb
By: Russell on December 25, 2010
at 9:26 pm
Amazing Deb, so want to visit & see all these sites (some again, some for the 1st time). Love the photo looking at the Arno from the Ponte Vecchio, great lighting.
By: Anna Johnston on December 25, 2010
at 11:08 pm
I took that last photo in the late evening. I am rarely in Florence at night – it was a treat – most of the tourists have gone for the day and the city takes on another mood.
By: bagnidilucca on December 26, 2010
at 12:07 am
Your amazing photos make me want to return to Florence. I know you do not photoshop the photos and Florence is truly beautiful, no need for enhancement.
By: Nifta on December 25, 2010
at 11:57 pm
Thanks for the compliment. I wish I knew how to use photoshop. It is a disadvantage being a computer cretin sometimes.
By: bagnidilucca on December 26, 2010
at 12:05 am
Deb, Do you take people on tours around Florence and Lucca?
Glenda
By: Glenda on December 25, 2010
at 11:59 pm
I regularly take visiting friends on Florence and Lucca tours. It is fun to show people my favourite places.
By: bagnidilucca on December 26, 2010
at 12:06 am
One day, I MUST make it to Italy. I mean how could I not with all of that wonderful food? I hope you had a Merry Christmas!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on December 26, 2010
at 12:35 am
ah troppo bello… Firenze… makes me want to don a cap and scarf, wandering aimlessly through cobbled streets, with nothing more than a whistle on my lips and a romantic look in my eye.
Lucky you can do it for me Debra!
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on December 26, 2010
at 3:39 am
I laughed when I first saw the policemen on those wheeled contraptions, and had to stifle myself because they looked so serious wheeling about through the crowds like stiff upright dummies. I often wonder if those things are fast if they have to chase someone?
I agree the Ponte Vecchio is glorious at sunset. It’s a beautiful place to be at that time of day. I also like the way you spot the small details i.e. pigeons on a tiled roof and various angles of buildings and make them look good. Your photos are always a pleasure to look at. I agree with Nifta that you don’t need any photo enhancements.
By: Sandra H on December 26, 2010
at 4:03 am
I love policemen on Segways – I always imagine them in a highspeed chase down the sidewalks.
By: Journey Photographic on December 27, 2010
at 11:27 am
I’d ;ove to see it.
By: bagnidilucca on December 27, 2010
at 11:38 am
Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Where do most Northern Italians like to go to celebrate the New Year?
Have you eaten at Due Frattelini in Florence? I love the sandwiches there!
By: Fidel Hart on December 27, 2010
at 4:13 pm
I’m not sure where Italians go to celebrate New Year, I am not often there at that time of the year. I’ll see what I can find out when I get there in a few weeks. I have heard of Due Frattelini, but I have not been there yet. I will make a point of doing so when next I am in Florence. Thanks for the reminder.
I hope you enjoyed your time with your family.
By: bagnidilucca on December 27, 2010
at 9:07 pm
In our village of Ponte a Serraglio people usually go out for dinner with friends and then head for the Bar Italia at about 10.00pm and party and dance until the local police come to ask them to be quiet. I have tried going, but I flake out before too long. They all seem to have a lot of fun.
By: bagnidilucca on December 27, 2010
at 9:13 pm
Beautiful scenes, I went once to Italy several years ago, to Florence too, and I loved it……I love all the beauties in Italy. Hopefully next summer, my husband and I are going to Italy, and the plan is to stay 2 days in Florence. I think, wherever we will be in Italy, we will enjoy.
By: Fragolina on December 29, 2010
at 8:27 am
I hope you do get to spend a couple of weeks in Florence – it is wonderful. Make sure you take some day trips to Lucca and Siena.
By: bagnidilucca on December 29, 2010
at 9:52 pm
Stay few weeks in Florence, it’s a bit difficult, ‘coz we want to do other trips. We would like to visit Tuscany in Florence, the Duomo, of course… still we didnt start planning. I don’t know how far Siena and Lucca are from the Duomo, if we stayed near it. Thank you.
By: Fragolina on December 30, 2010
at 9:11 am
[…] spent lots of time in perfect Ponte a Serraglio, with regular visits to lovely Lucca and fabulous Florence. our very pretty […]
By: My favourite places in 2010 « Debra & Liz's Bagni di Lucca Blog on December 30, 2010
at 10:28 am
Live near Seattle w/ my wife Cindi and have 2 children Nick and Lauren 25 and 27.
Plan on getting my dual citizenship so i can live in italy at least 6 months out of the year in retirement.
Have been to italy twice now for a month at a time and it just makes me happy to be there. I love Italy, the people and the way of life.
I love to travel, read, hike, some sports, topics about the world, history and geography. I’m on skype, facebook.
Ciao for now.
By: george miori on February 9, 2011
at 10:39 pm
Hi George, Tina tells me she has sent some paperwork to you to help along your citizenship. I hope it is going well for you. Perhaps I will see you in Bagni di Lucca one day soon.
By: bagnidilucca on February 10, 2011
at 6:19 am
Beautiful Pictures. I hope for a day when I can explore this city at my leisure instead of just running like crazy to see as much as I can.
By: Damommachef on August 15, 2011
at 9:50 pm
Part of the joy of being in Italy is just being there and watching it unfold in front of you.
By: bagnidilucca on August 15, 2011
at 10:02 pm