Day 3: the Accademia Museum and the Oltrarno

Today we had blue skies for the first time, with no rain, and temperatures in the mid-70's.  Just a couple blocks from our hotel is the Duomo, which is especially beautiful on a day like today.  Covered in pink, white, and green marble, construction started in 1296 and took about 150 years to build.  It is one of the most recognizable sights of Italy, along with the tower of Pisa and the Colloseum.  The picture below is the church and the bell tower.

I climbed the 414 steps to the top of the bell tower 2 years ago, but not during this visit:

Then we went to the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's statue of David, other sculptures, paintings, altarpieces, and manuscripts, but photos are not permitted in most museums, so you'll just have to take my word that we were there, and there is some amazing art there.

After a break at the hotel, we went in search of a pizza place we visited 2 years ago, and along the way, entered a church during an organ recital.  Here's a photo, and you can hum your favorite organ music as you gaze upon the image:

Then we found Toto's Pizzeria, where we each had a slice of the mozzarella, tomato, and arugula pie,,and some water.  It was 3 euros per slice, about $4.

Then we headed to the Oltrarno, which is the other (south) side of the river, stopping for a few photos along the way at Piazza della Signoria, and large and lively square:

Dogs of all sizes and kinds are quite popular throughout Italy, and this puppy was very enthusiastic:

Then we crossed Ponte Vecchio, a bridge covered with tiny, historic gold jewelry shops.  This photo was taken while standing outside the front door, and you can see right through the shop's back windows to the next bridge down the river.

Something else tiny - this single seat car:

And,now we're wandering the much quieter streets of the Oltrarno, with a completely different character than the bustling streets just north of the river.

A couple shots of espresso for the afternoon boost:

And more wandering, this time looking into the workshop/store of a chandelier artisan:

This type of door and knocker is quite typical in this part of Florence:

More narrow streets and piazza, with some locals:

Basilica di Santo Spirito, completed in 1487:

Some other beautifully decorate building that we just happen to stroll by:

Part of Ponte Vecchio, being drawn by art students on a neighboring bridge:

Another odd shaped building watching over the maze of streets:

And a musician riding his green polka dotted bicycle with his guitar:

Here's a street musician taking a break while his dog does the sad eye for a coin from Jenae:

Finally, the colors of Italy outside a shop near our hotel:

Back at the hotel for the evening happy hour, we had some beverages  and snacks, and then Jenae and I got ready to go out for dinner.  Since it's our last evening in Florence, we went to a good restaurant for Bistecca Fiorentina, which is Italian for "one less cow".  Read and drool about that here:

http://www.emikodavies.com/blog/the-perfect-bistecca-fiorentina/

And that's all for today.  Tomorrow we pack up, drag our carry-ons over to the Hertz place, and see just how much fun it is for me to drive in Italy, and how much fun it is for Jenae to be in the same car.  (She opted not to do any driving, in response to my generous offer.)

Ciao!