Italy 2004 – Florence
The view from our window in the Hotel Berchielli. Not surprisingly, it hasn’t changed in 25 years.
I wondered what it was all about until I realised that it was the classic sports car rally, the annual Mille Miglia that drove past the hotel one afternoon.
In the Piazza della Signoria. Trust the photographer to get that angle of the statue.
In the the Salone dei Cinquecento, Palazzo Vecchio.
Michelangelo’s Genius of Victory marble group that should have adorned the Tomb of Julius II.
Santa Maria del Fiore. Built with a view for fantastic photo opportunities? The West façade is flanked by the Baptistery & Giotto’s Campanile.
The Campanile was very high, no lift, very narrow staircase, but spectacular views from the top.
Another view from the Campanile. The Piazza Della Repubblica is lower right with a striped awning of a carousel visible. Centre left is the solid block of Orsanmichele. If you have sharp eyes, you can spot the Pitti Palace in the centre, background. On the extreme centre left is one of the wings of the Uffizi.
Brancacci Chapel. This is where the Renaissance really kicked off. With key works by Masaccio this is a very special chapel. The number of visitors allowed in at any time is strictly controlled.
Outside Santa Croce there was a Tai Chi exhibition in the pouring rain. The weather was not on our side during our visit to Florence.
On the left, Michelangelo’s tomb
Ann chilling out by the Pazzi Chapel
The Boboli Gardens. Look what happens if you have too much good food.