My catalyst to getting up early was so that I could take advantage of the free walking tour of Florence that leaves Archie Rossi each day at 10:00. Many of the sites we visited are ones I had already seen, but this time I was able to get some background and history. Afterward, I backtracked to the Duomo to get a peek inside.
The interior of the Duomo is very simple compared to the outside. The most elaborate decoration is the painted frescoes on the dome. They are so gorgeous and the figures look somewhat 3 dimensional, as if they're sitting on a ledge overlooking the people below.
Once again, I tried to coax my roommates to come out with me, this time to the free concert at Maria de'Ricci. Again, they preferred to hole up in the dorm room all night.
Travel lesson number 1: Always say yes. If someone in your hostel invites you out for a drink, concert, walk... skydiving, SAY YES.
They missed out. The concert was doubly amazing than the one a few nights earlier and the one that I had paid to see. It was the same organist and oboist, but the singer was different. She was perhaps in her fifties and had the most lovely voice. It brought tears to my eyes when she sang Ave Maria. When I told Sophie this, she asked if I had been drunk. I wasn't. It was just that beautiful. Which pretty much sums up all of Florence.
Mercato del porcellino. For good luck in business, it's customary to rub the porcellino's nose.
The red lily represents Firenze.
Some photos of the Duomo above.
Photos of Maria de'Ricci, where the free concerts are held.
The Duomo at night.
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