There was a large thunder and lightning storm during the night. It rained heavily but in the morning everything was clean and clear and the temperature in the low 20's.

We again had a very hardy breakfast and talked with the couple from Michigan and we each wished each other well.

We looked at the map and tried to figure the best way to get to the Hotel Boccaccio in Florence (Firenze). We decided to on rely on "mother"- Tamas' GPS. At first it looked like she was lost but after turned around, she had found the right course.
After we had gone through the A1 turnstile I had the feeling that the cell phone was not packed. However, after a gas-up we found it where I had put it. Now it is in Nancy's purse...safe with the passports.

The A1 took us through the mountains of central Italy. There were many tunnels and twists and turns. It could NOT be done at high speed... I think we averaged about 80 km/h... but it was better being safe. The truck line was not too bad our way, but going toward Bologna, the trucks were in large numbers. It was almost impossible for trucks to pass one another. Truckers are generally pretty good but occasionally they wander from side to side making you wonder.

About mid-way through the mountains we stopped at a gas-restaurant-rest area. It was packed. We picked up a long sandwich and cut it in half for eating later.

The middle of Italy is very picturesque; but it was too difficult to even get video since we were in and out of tunnels and I did not want to be distracted.

Because there was a new turn-off for Firenze North we missed our original turn. However, we travelled to the next exit and Mother again lead us through the city. We did not know if she really knew where to go but after several false turns she found a simpler route and led us right to the hotel. The hotel is near the main centre of the city which makes for insanity amongst drivers. However, I just pulled in beside some parked motor bikes and blended in.

The one problem with being close to the centre of town is that there is only valet parking. The extra cost is 23 euros per day. But what can you do, you save on buses or trains and lose on valet parking... an even split. Better than Vienna in a way but more expensive. The room is nice but smaller than the first two we had. There is a room air-conditioning and it works well; it is not in the window. The bed is two couches pushed together(typical of Europe). There is No kleenex.

Nancy noted that there are many nice shops to look into. We also noticed that there were hundreds of time more tourists here than in Bologna and Padua combined.

After we arrived and had a short rest, we were on our way. We are just 10 minutes from the big cathedral Batistero Duomo (St. Mary of the Flower). We lined up for about 20 minutes in a line that moved all of a sudden and we were in. The inside is not very impressive compared to the outside. There are few side altars and the sides not interestingly decorated. However, the copula is superb. It has many scenes from the Bible in excellent detail. This was the best part of the inside, right over the main altar.

We did NOT go up into the copula for a look out over the city. We both are not likers of height.
At the Ponte Vecchio (old bridge)

We then headed over to the famous Ponte Vecchio. Not nearly as nice as the Rialto bridge in Venice. There were some good views from the bridge, but a view of the bridge was pretty shabby.

We stopped at a little cafeteria off the beaten path and had some cappuccino and beer. The reason we stopped is because they had a sign NO CHARGE FOR SITTING (on the outdoor patio). Nancy found out that they had an excellent tourist dinner starting at 6 pm for 9.80 euros a primo, secundo dessert and wine or water. It turned out to be the best buy we have made in Italy. Getting 250 mL of wine with gnocchi, chicken and a fruit dessert was super.

We went over to the other side of the river (the Arno)... everyone who does a crossword knows this already. We met a couple from Northern Ireland who were teachers also. They encouraged us to buy tickets to the Caravaggio art exhibition featuring the likes of famous Italian early painters and sculptures.

We also found a flier on opera. We followed this up but Nancy had to rest while I tried to find the ticket office which was also in a small church. There were about 20-30 seats in a tiny church. I didn't think it was going to be as wonderful as the flier described. We had been in Venice for something like this but the Venice performance was don in a much larger setting.

This was the time we headed back to the cafeteria and again we literally bumped into the Irish couple again.

After the huge meal we said we had better not eat so much.... we say that every day.

Back to the hotel and ready for a nights sleep.

We do not have free Internet, so I will go to an Internet cafe a couple of doors down (it is cheaper than the Hotel).