Florence, Italy in Spring

Travel Day One - 19 April 2023 - Nashville to Newark to Vienna

A Lyft ride to Nashville Airport an hour and half before the flight. On arriving to the airport, the United self-check-in area for boarding passes. What surprised me was how much the Nashville airport lobby had changed—a major improvement over the old one. They have 24 security lanes now, which makes the security check much faster and efficient. The TSA Pre-Check line helped avoid the long wait time. Once done with security, a long walk to the gate.

Travel Day Two - 20 April - Vienna to Florence

Upon arrival at Newark, a long walk to catch the connecting flight shuttle, which was operated by United and Star Alliance. Then, after the shuttle ride to terminal B where the boarding gate was, the plane was delayed taking off for about thirty minutes, which, in turn, caused a delayed landing in Vienna. Sleeping on the plane from Newark to Vienna was almost impossible due to about fifty babies and small toddlers crying and crawling. Consequently, there was minimal time to catch the flight to Florence upon landing in Vienna, which was barely made with fifteen minutes to spare. After the flight landed in the morning, it took about eight minutes to deplane. Then, Schengen Passport control in Vienna, followed by another security check. After the security check, hurrying to the plane’s boarding gate—a stressful experience.

Day One - 20 April - Arriving at the Hotel

After clearing customs at Florence airport, hopped on the tram to Unità tram station next to the Santa Maria Novella Church. Then proceeded straight to the hotel for check-in. Although the room wasn't ready yet, the check-in person mentioned it would only be a short wait. So, took a seat and relaxed for a bit. It wasn't long before the nice hotel staff informed me that the room was prepared and walked me down. The room was cozy and standard-sized, perfect for a single traveler in Europe. Not usually one to spend much time in hotel rooms—prefer spending most days exploring.

For lunch on the first day, Osteria dell’Oca. A delicious spinach ravioli in cheese sauce with vegetables, followed by a slice of chocolate cake. To top it all off, the waiter brought a limoncello. Later that afternoon, the great gelato tour began with a visit to La Strega Nocciolo Gelateria Artigianale.

Day Two - 21 April - Day of the Walking Tour

Woke up early and had breakfast. After that, back to the room to get ready for the day’s walking tour of Florence. Our tour guide took us first to the Gallery of the Academy where the original David Statue and other Michelangelo sculptures are displayed. Then, the walking tour around Florence with many points of interest. Eventually, we ended up at the Ponte Vecchio where the tour ended. The guide recommended some restaurants in the area, and Trattoria Roberto got the nod. Bruschetta with tomatoes for starters, followed by Tortelli with a truffle and cheese sauce for the first course, and finally beans with sausage for the main course.

After lunch, the Meuseo Galileo and exploring the items in the museum’s collection. Once back at the hotel room, sorting through the souvenirs and putting them away. After that, a gelato at Don Nino Gelateria & Pasticceria Artigianale. Later, walking back to the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata but realizing that it was not the piazza originally in mind. Stopped and sat for a bit, got bearings reset and headed in the direction of Piazza della Signoria. Back at the statue of Neptune, some pictures of the fountain and other statues in the piazza and then back to the hotel. An great day of exploring the city.

Day Three - 22 April - Visiting the Duomo and the Uffizi Galleries

The day started at the Baptistry of St. John, and being among the first visitors for the day, it felt like having the place to myself. The interior of the building was stunning! From there, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo di Firenze to see its exhibits about the construction of the Duomo.

Afterwards, back to the conveniently located hotel to wait for the opening of the cathedral. On arrival, the line had already wrapped around the cathedral, but still able to get in a timely manner. The simplicity and beauty inside the church left me in awe. Then walking up to the front of the church to see Brunelleschi's famous dome.

After the cathedral visit, on to The Uffizi Galleries. At first, confusion about where to pick up the pre-booked tickets, but a friendly person pointed in the right direction. The sheer quality of artwork, including Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Caravaggio’s Medusa, and Filippo Lippi’s Madonna and Child painting left me inspired.

A lunch break at Mister Pizza where the Tipica 4x4 with Tuscany Tomatoes, fresh bocconcini mozzarella cheese, fontina cheese, creamy DOP Gorgonzola, flakes of 16-month-aged Grana cheese, and fresh basil. It was too good—almost overate.

In the evening, La Strega Nocciolo Gelateria Artigianale for more gelato. Later, walking along the Arno river, across the Ponte alle Grazie bridge and around the Oltraarno and then back again, over the Ponte Vecchio bridge to the hotel.

Day Four - 23 April - The Bargello Museum and Pitti Palace

Visited the Bargello museum in the morning, walking around the exhibits and taking photos. The museum was overwhelming, featuring sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo. On the way out, a stop at the gift shop for a bookmark. After that, back to the hotel to drop off purchases and then on to the Pitti Palace, crossing over the Ponte Vecchio again. At the palace, stood in line for a bit until realizing that a pre-purchased ticket meant skipping the line waiting to buy tickets.

The galleries of art were impressive, taking in all the beauty with my own eyes instead of taking too many photos like at the Uffizi. After finishing with the Palentine Gallery, a stop at the gift shop for some souvenirs. Next, the Rudolf Levy (1875 -1944) Work and exile which was fantastic. After the exhibition, the cafe for some water and a panino.

Later, the Boboli gardens and strolling through them. The gardens had awe-inspiring viewpoints, and some fantastic pictures resulted. The Fountain of Neptune was remarkable, with a heron standing on the fountain while ducks swam around the pond. Strolling beyond the fountain led to the Statue of Abundance, another elegant sculpture. After wandering around the gardens, leaving and strolling back to the hotel through some of the quieter, less busy streets, as there were many tourists in Florence that day.

Day Five - 24 April - Santa Maria Novella and Panino at All’Antico Vinaio

In the morning, made my way to the Museum of the Novocentro. While the museum was okay, many of the art pieces looked like they could have been done by a three-year-old child, which was a bit of a letdown.

Next, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella where, after some initial confusion, figured out how to enter with pre-booked tickets. Once inside, left in awe at the beauty of the sacred architecture and paintings. The courtyards and convent built by the Dominican order were ||||| and a definite must-see.

After leaving the church, traveled to Piazza San Marco and All’Antico Vinaio. The Tartufo 2—a sandwich consisting of prosciutto with truffle, pecorino cream, and spicy aubergines—was an explosion of flavors.

Following lunch, back to the hotel for a nap before heading to Don Nino’s for some gelato. A large cone with nocciola, caramel, chocolate, and a macaron on top. Extra yum! After enjoying the gelato, back to the hotel for the night.

Day Six - 25 April - The morning of the Bronze boar, an empty Ponte Vecchio and more.

The day started at 8 am with a walk along Via del Roma towards the Ponte Vecchio bridge. A stop at Piazza della Republica to take a photo and then towards the bridge. Surprisingly, it was empty, and some beautiful shots were captured. On the way back to the hotel, a stop at the Fontana del Porecillino, where the bronze boar’s nose got a rub and a coin thrown on its tongue—it fell into the grate on the first attempt.

After returning to the hotel and sorting out pictures, off to Piazza San Lorenzo to find Trattoria Sergio Gozzi. Located the restaurant and then proceeded to Palazzo Medici Ricardi to explore their exhibits, followed by the gift shop for souvenirs.

Later, back to Piazza San Lorenzo to wait until noon, when Trattoria Sergio Gozzi opened. Tortelli with truffle sauce; delicious. After lunch, the church of San Lorenzo to explore and then Palazzo Strozzi to see the Going to the Stars exhibit, which was incredible! The best part was the big fluffy spinning things that were touchable—love interactive exhibits. After the exhibit, a goodbye visit to La Strega Nocciolo Gelateria Artigianale for a large cup of Strawberry, Nocciolo, and Dark Chocolate ice cream. Lastly, the Lindt chocolate store, where going overboard with purchasing chocolates was inevitable. But when your hotel is located next to a chocolate store, getting too many chocolates is unavoidable. Finally, back to the hotel to begin eating all the chocolates purchased at the Lindt Chocolate shop.

Travel Day Three - 26 April - Florence to Zurich to O'Hare to Nashville.

Woke up and got ready for the morning. Packed the rest of my things in bags before heading up to have breakfast.

After breakfast, the tram to the airport. Arrived at the tram station and took the tram to the airport. Through security and on to the gate. From there, flew to Zurich.

After a nine-hour flight, finally landed at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. From there, a long walk to reach the Global Entry kiosks. The kiosks were acting up and wouldn't accept my photo, so the man at the counter said “Your good, take this card to the exit guy”.

At the exit line, a lady at the front of the line was advising people that they should have their declaration card ready. However, the exit person didn't require the card and let me through. A bit confused about where to go, so asked an airport staff member who directed me through a door to a train headed for Terminal 2.

The pre-check lines at Terminal 2 were closed, so had to go through one line where a “Pre-check” card was received, which meant no shoes off but still had to remove the jacket. Forgot that a metal pen was in the wallet, so had to go through the metal detector again. However, the lady in charge was kind.

After that, walking endlessly to the gate, where boarding happened, glad that priority boarding had been paid for. Boarding group 2, which allowed getting on the plane before all the overhead bins were filled.

Finally, landed in Nashville and got a Lyft ride back home. Good to be back.

Using points from my Capital One Venture X card managed to offset some travel-related expenses, which significantly reduced the overall cost of the trip.