Something which the former Mayor of
Florence (now the young and handsome President of Italy) did was to ban
unnecessary vehicles from the centre of this beautiful city. Not only does it make the roads safer but has
also cut down on pollution. Everyone
gains - people's health and the fabric of the historic buildings. But when strolling do be on the lookout for
bicycles! Thousands of them. I suspect Florentines are at lot healthier now.

Whilst I was there all of the
museums at the imposing Pitti Palace were open.
The ticket office is at the far end of the building (from the Ponte
Vecchio). If you are over 65 take your
passport for senior discounts and the Boboli Gardens on their own are FREE for
seniors. The palace was begun in 1440
for Luca Pitti, a rival of the Medici family for whom it has also been a
home. When Florence was the capital it
was used by the Italian Royal family.
My favourite church in Florence has
to be the Santa Croce with its green and white facade. I think that is because here I can pay homage
to a great musician - Rossini, who is buried at this church. There are also the tombs of Galileo,
Michelangelo, Machiavelli and a Memorial to Dante (who died in Ravenna).
You like shopping? There are plenty of shops some of which can
be expensive but there are also markets.
There is an open air one near the Church of San Lorenzo and, just a block
from the Piazza della Signoria, is the straw and leather market.
Incidentally, if planning to visit
the museums do remember that queues can be very long. Advice? Get there well before opening time.
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