Florence

Friday morning, at 2 AM, Meg, Jacqueline, and I boarded a bus for Florence.  After 7 bumpy and restless hours we arrived tired and disorientated but excited to be in Florence.  When we made our hotel reservations we were under the impression that we would be able to check in upon arrival but were informed that we would have to wait until 3 PM.  So we left our bags at the hostel and set out to explore Florence.

Duomo

Our first stop, and pretty much only stop of the day, was the huge outdoor Florentine market.  Hundreds of booths selling scarves, jewelry, and every leather product you would ever want.  Naturally, I indulged and bought a leather jacket as well as a few gifts for people back home.  Amidst the market lies the Duomo.  It was one of the largest and most decorated buildings I think I have ever seen.  Tired after spending money and walking around all day we headed back to the hostel to check in, shower, and rest up before starting our night.

Duomo

Jacqueline and me on Ponte San Niccolo

Friday night we had plans to meet up with one of Meg's friends from Le Moyen who is studying in Florence for the semester.  She didn't live too far from the hostel so we were able to walk to their apartment.  

Street artist

When we got there we had appetizers and met Meg's friend Kat and her two roommates, who also go to Le Moyen, Libby and Laura.  For dinner we went to a restaurant Moyo where we had an aperitivo, which is basically a drink and buffet style appetizers for really cheap - perfect for college students like us!  After dinner they toured us around Florence and showed us some of their favorite places.  We were all exhausted from our trip to Florence so we ended the night early and returned to the hostel for some much needed sleep.

Meg and me on Ponte San Niccolo

Saturday was spent relaxing and recovering.  After a leisurely morning, we left the hostel around 3 went to the market again and walked through the streets of Florence.  Later that evening we met up with Meg's friends for dinner and drinks.  Towards the end of our night they took us to a place known as the "secret bakery."  It is essentially a hotel bakery where the workers sell fresh pastries "secretly" to the public and then pocket the money they make of their sales.  The pastries were hot out of the oven and so delicious!  

Outside the secret bakery

Sunday we went to the Ponte Vecchio and then to Meg's friends for one last visit.  We then had lunch at a small Italian restaurant where the pasta was amazing but the bread paled in comparison to the baguettes we have become accustomed to in France.  Around 5 we headed to the bus station where we boarded our bus and 7 and a half hours later we were back in beautiful Nice!  

We loved our visit in Florence but we missed the blue water, warm weather, and fresh bread of Nice so we were happy to be home, even if it was 2 AM and raining!

Florence from the Ponte Vecchio