February 20 :: Florence, Italy

February 20 :: Florence, Italy

Today was "Florence Day" as we all dashed around downtown Florence, packing in as much sightseeing as possible before 5pm, when most of the tourist sites close in the Winter off-season. Even though we are in the quietest tourist time of year there were still lineups at some of the venues. I can't imagine what it would be like in the summer!

We all split up, but ended up doing most of the same things - the huge Duomo (church) that dominates downtown, a particular museum that houses (among other things) Michelangelo's David, and various significant open-air plazas around town. There still is much more to see, but we have another Florence Day planned at the end of the trip just before flying home.

Everyone is belabouring the food (of all things!) already... its not that the food is bad, its that its all the same, without variety. Among, say, a random 15 restaurants 7 will be Italian sitdown style, the other 8 will be quickeat Italian panini, pizza, and ice cream. Very surprising, especially considering the legions of foreign tourists from all over the world trucking through here.

The weather has given us the green light, and at night we assembled all the bikes. Our hotel is storing the bike boxes until we get back to Florence, 2 weeks from now. Tomorrow is a 42km ride to Castelfiorentino... much nervousness and anticipation amongst the group. For 3 of the 6 riders it will be their longest bike ride ever!

(Florence pics coming with the next post)