Saturday

What a day! I think I covered all of Florence. Ok, maybe not all, but a lot of it. Compared to Berlin, this city is tiny. I started off the day just wandering around some more. I have no idea what things I wandered to but I took a lot of pictures. Just the normal buildings are beautiful around here.



I had a noon appt at the Uffizi gallery. If you are ever going, definitely be sure to make an appt. The line looked to be forever but with my appt I got in within 10 minutes. It's a bit of a hike up to the actual gallery so be prepared or take the elevator. Once in there I was impressed with the art but also a bit disappointed. The gallery is fairly small. I only spent about 45 minutes in there. There was a good bit of art to take in but its not the kind I really like. It was mostly sculptures and portraits. The little detailed small carvings from marble were very impressive. But since I had seen a lot recently at the Roman Art exhibit at the SAM I think it was 'old news'. Still cool, but not as neat as the first time seeing it.



After that I decided to go for lunch. Looking at where I was and my two options I had choice to make. Head NW to one place or SE to another. Both about .4mi from where I was. I took the NW option and followed my GPS. When I did arrive I found out they were closed on the weekends. Ooops, should have read the guide closer. So, back off in the other direction. When I got to that one, they were closed for lunch. This was not called out the guidebook (I checked!), so just one of those things. Then, I pulled up Pocket Streets to find a recommendation from Simon and went to a Pizza place that was pretty good.



After that I went back to Grom to try a better combo. This time I went for their dark chocolate and vanilla. If you like chocolate then you have to try their dark chocolate gelatto. It has little bits of cocoa in there and is just great. Especially with the contrast of the vanilla. Highly recommended.



Then I went back to the hotel to drop off some things, clean up a bit, and then settle up my bill since I'll be leaving early tomorrow. I did some more walking around. Got a local phone card and called dad to check in with him and promptly used up all of my credits in a 7 minute call. But at least I got some good ideas of more places to go. I then walked around some more and found Harry's Bar along the Arno. Looked interesting but a bit too pricey (11EUR for a Gin & Tonic) so I went back to walking. Now I'm in Internet Train catching up on e-mail and updating the blog.

Tonight I have a reservation at Paolo since it was recommended both by Frommers and Rick Steves. Before then I'm going to go find an umbrella since its raining again.

Not sure on net access in San Gimignano so it might be Tues night before I update here.