Quick Glimpse of Florence

Florence, Italy, Tuesday  9:00PM - This will be just a quick little note because I am tired and I have to get up in about seven hours to catch the flight to Catania. We have spent the last day and a half wondering the historic areas   of Florence.  Our hotel, called Pendini, is meters away from the heart of the old city.  We have crossed the teeming Ponte Vecchio, gazed upon the intricate designs on the walls of the Duomo, explored Uffizi gallery, and more. Here are some photos to give a sense of things. 

Photo

1. The Arno River from the bustling Ponte Vecchio. 
2. The people below are waiting to enter the Uffizi gallery. It’s a remarkable place. You can see the dome of the Duomo and, I think, the tower of City Hall too. 
3. From inside Uffizi you have some great cityscapes like this view of Ponte Vecchio and bridges beyond. The buildings are small bustling shops. 
4. One of many intriguing sculptures in the gardens at Pitti Palace. We had been hoping for more green grounds but the art we found sprinkled throughout the extensive hillside grounds was special. 
5. A view of the Duomo. Though perhaps not obvious it’s crowded here and getting more so as the afternoon progresses. I really like the stonework you see on the facade.