Italy Wedding 2021 – Florence, Italy 9/1/21

Lucca, Italy – Grande Universe Hotel 9/1/21

Breakfast at Caffè Ninci was a perfect start to a busy day!

Nick got a Pain au chocolat. I got the traditional Lucca pastry called buccellato!

From this launching pad Nick went to get his hair cut and I stayed at the cafe to read up on Florence and finish yesterday’s blog.

Nick got his first Italian haircut!
Then it was off to Florence. Only an hour drive. Not bad.
Another beautiful countryside Tuscany!!!
Almost to Florence
This was a cool building in Florence, just before the train station.
A sign of the Covid times.

Once in Florence the blue parking was too difficult to find. So we headed to the Santa Maria Novella Stazione for parking. Not a bad location. It was only a short walk to the center of town.

Santa Maria Novella Church
This is a Bonvoy hote and Don & Mindy can use points! It’s a spectacular location and many rooms likely have the view of the river or the old city!
I like this door. Must be really old.
That’s Nick in the green. We turned the corner and saw the Duomo!

We met up with Carlo in Piazza Santa Maria Novella. The tour Carlo promised sounded promising so we climbed on his red golf cart and headed out!

First stop was the Piazzale Michelangelo to over look the city.
Nick and Carlo
Nick finding a beer.
Work being done on the David.
This is the Florence National Central Library. It was established in 1747. It is considered one of the most important in all of Europe.
This building has hooks on it for horse tying. Which means it’s pretty old.
This is just a cool looking building and I don’t know it’s significance.
This is the taxi that almost killed me like 4 times.
This is where we finally lost the taxi. Between street workers and a steep curb! Just lucky, I guess.
There were too many cafes and trattorias to pick one. So we asked Carlo.
But first a stop at this wonderful Italian leather shop. Be careful, even Rick Steves warns of Chinese leather being sold in tourist areas of Florence.
Nick got his spritzer!
This was an amazing restaurant! We had a nice leisurely lunch here!
Yep – Nick got Spaghetti Carbonara again! I tried the Tagliatelle Funghi Porchini!
The cars passing almost hit our olive oil with their mirrors.
I think this is Ambers section! Truffles!
Tuscany is known for their beef!

After lunch we headed to the Duomo.

Nick found a spot near the Duomo for wine. I got a 4€ cafe Americano.
Back at the parking lot I passed a room with parking for bicycles!
A cool venue in Lucca.
Amazing art in a simple place.
We really enjoyed walking Lucca at night. It’s a whole different town in the dark!
olivemywhiskey's avatar

By olivemywhiskey

Teri is a retired CFO and Nick is a partner in a private equity firm. We are both very irrelevant in the business worlds. We jumped up to a 52 foot boat because we were in need of more adventure. We are on the Great Loop around the East Coast of North America. It's been a wild ride!

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