First impressions of Florence
I arrived in Florence around 5:30 this evening after my train journey from Varenna. The transition from the serene lakeside village to this bustling Renaissance city has been quite the contrast!
The train ride itself was pleasant enough - I managed to get a window seat and spent most of the journey watching the Italian countryside roll by. We passed through Milan, which reminded me that I should probably revisit that Mantegna painting before I leave Italy. The 'Dead Christ' perspective still haunts me in the best possible way.
Florence greeted me with mild weather and that golden late afternoon light that makes everything look like a painting. I had booked a small hotel near the historic center, about a 15-minute walk from the train station. After checking in and dropping my bags (and ducking through the surprisingly low doorway to my room), I couldn't resist heading out for a quick exploration before dinner.
The receptionist warned me about the fog advisory for tonight and tomorrow morning. Apparently, there's a yellow warning in effect until tomorrow morning. I'm not too concerned - it might actually add some atmosphere to the morning photos.
I walked toward the historic center, following the flow of people and narrow streets until I emerged at the Piazza del Duomo. And there it was - the magnificent cathedral with its terracotta dome dominating the skyline. Even having seen countless photos, nothing prepares you for the scale and intricacy of it in person. The white, green, and pink marble facade caught the last rays of daylight, and I just stood there for several minutes, taking it all in.
There was a small crowd gathered in the piazza - a mix of tourists and locals, the latter seemingly immune to the architectural wonder that's become their everyday backdrop. I circled the cathedral, noting that I'd need to return early tomorrow to climb the dome before the crowds arrive. I checked the opening time (8:30 am) and made a mental note to be there by 8:20.
As dusk settled, my stomach reminded me that I hadn't eaten since a quick sandwich on the train. I wandered down some side streets and found a small trattoria that looked promisingly authentic - the kind with handwritten menus and local wines by the carafe. I ordered pappardelle with wild boar ragù and a glass of Chianti. The pasta was perfectly al dente, the sauce rich and hearty - exactly what I needed after a day of travel.
The waiter seemed amused by my attempts at Italian but appreciated the effort. When I asked about the best local coffee shops (a morning ritual I'm not willing to compromise on), he recommended a place called Ditta Artigianale, insisting they serve the best espresso in Florence. That's tomorrow's first stop sorted, then.
I'm now back at the hotel, planning tomorrow's exploration. The Uffizi Gallery is high on my list, but I should probably book tickets online to avoid the queues. I'm also eager to walk across the Ponte Vecchio and perhaps find my way to the Boboli Gardens to see what interesting trees they might have.
It's strange how different this feels from Varenna. There, I settled into a slow rhythm, getting to know one small place intimately. Here in Florence, I can already feel the pull of so many attractions competing for attention. I'll need to resist the urge to rush through a checklist of sights and instead apply what I learned in Varenna - that depth of experience matters more than breadth.
Still, I can't help but feel excited about what the next few days will bring. Florence has been on my wish list for so long, and now I'm finally here, with the weight of Renaissance history pressing in from all sides. I just hope I can find some quiet moments amid the artistic treasures and tourist crowds.
Time to get some rest now. Tomorrow promises to be a full day of exploration.
!View of Florence Cathedral at sunset The Duomo catching the last light of day - no filter needed for this golden hour magic