Florence

Real Tuscany.  The view from the hill above was entrancing.

And the countryside from Rome to Florence was a treat.  We love looking at pastures and crops!

Florence is an art lover's paradise- we were just there for the afternoon- but I managed to fulfil a life time ambition- to stand before the statue of David!  In the same Academy gallery in Florence- there were Giotto and Botecelli works, but just managed to see a Giotto in passing...

Of course no photos were allowed in the gallery- but a replica was in front of the old Medici Palace- where the statue originally stood for three hundred years- before vandals began attacking it- how could they?  Now it is behind perspex.

We went on a whirlwind tour and saw the church Santamero de Flieur- faboulous detail and began in 1296.  Churches in this region have a Baptistry with them- parishioners are baptised at Easter and John the Baptist's birthday.

                                                                 This was the huge door of the Bapistry with the scenes of the Old Testament reading like a comic.