Florence & Pisa: Art, Architecture, and Tuscan Adventures
Day 1: Rainy Arrival in Florence
There's something magical about arriving in a new city by train, even on a rainy day. As we sped through the Tuscan countryside from Rome to Florence, the dreary weather actually worked in our favor – better to be on a train than trudging through rain with luggage!
Location, Location, Location
Sometimes you get lucky with accommodations, and we hit the jackpot. Our bed and breakfast was situated directly across from the Duomo, Florence's iconic cathedral. The view from our windows? Simply spectacular. Talk about a "room with a view"!
Market Adventures and Lunch
Our first stop was the Mercato Centrale, Florence's bustling central market. The kids loved all the different things to check out in the stalls. For lunch, we opted for a feast from one of the delis inside – prosciutto, salami, cheese, and bread - the portion size was generous! We ended up with way more than we could eat, but what a delicious problem to have.
Climbing to the Clouds
As if the weather knew we were coming, the rain cleared just in time for our ascent up the Bell Tower of the Duomo. The climb was worth every step – the views over Florence were breathtaking. The cathedral itself was equally impressive, from the stunning artwork on the dome's interior to the mysterious crypts below.
Evening with David
After some much-needed rest (a pattern you might have noticed in our travels!), we headed to the Galleria dell'Accademia for an early evening tour. Even with the pre-booked tour with a guide, they limit the number of people going in and space out entry so we did have a bit of a wait before our turn to go through security. And there he was – Michelangelo's David. Photos simply don't do justice to this masterpiece. The sheer scale took us by surprise, and the level of detail is mind-boggling. Even our teens, who might occasionally feign indifference to art, were visibly impressed (and a bit shocked).
Day 2: A Tale of Two Cities
Morning Masterpieces
Our second day began with a stroll through the Piazza della Signoria en route to an early morning tour of the Uffizi Gallery. This was a special moment for Natalie, who had studied Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" in school last year. Seeing her connect her classroom learning with the actual artwork was one of those priceless parenting moments.
The gallery exceeded all expectations. Beyond the famous Botticelli works (including "Primavera"), we discovered Michelangelo and Raphael masterpieces while learning about the powerful Medici family. A bonus: the views of the Ponte Vecchio bridge from the gallery windows.
Pisa Perfect
A quick train ride brought us to Pisa, where we discovered it's just a 10-minute walk from the station to the famous Leaning Tower. Despite the chilly, windy weather, the sun was shining, and the tower was... well, leaning! It's one of those sights that, no matter how many photos you've seen, still manages to impress in person.
Change of Plans
We'd originally planned to visit Cinque Terre, but sometimes the best travel decisions involve knowing when to adapt. Given the cooler weather and rain forecast, we decided to skip it. While initially disappointing, this gave us a more relaxed evening back in Florence.
Leather and Leisure
Our final stop was the Scuola del Cuoio, Florence's famous leather school located in the Santa Croce church complex. While we didn't get to tour the church itself, we did come away with some genuine Florentine leather pieces – perfect souvenirs of our time in Tuscany.
Travel Tips from Our Two Days:
Don't let rain ruin your plans – sometimes it leads to unexpected advantages
Early morning tours are worth the effort (yet again!)
Be flexible with your itinerary – weather and energy levels might require adjustments
Sometimes NOT doing something (like Cinque Terre) is the right choice
Location matters – staying near major landmarks can really enhance your experience
Tomorrow we head to Venice - the last leg of our family adventure in Italy! My husband, Emile, and I have been to Venice before but this will be the first time for our kids. Will the floating city live up to their expectations? Stay tuned!
Have you visited Florence or Pisa? What was your favorite sight? Have you braved the Cinque Terre in the rain? Share your experiences in the comments below!