Florence

We left Venice on Tuesday's 12:27 train, arriving into Florence just after 2:40. There was a mix of clouds and sun in the upper 60's. Our hotel was a recently constructed AHC, an existing hotel chain in Spain and Italy with which Marriott has entered into a partnership. Very modern rooms, walking distance from the train station, good breakfast. Here's the view from the hotel's rooftop sunning deck.

We had reservations for a 4:30 entrance to the Uffizi Galleries.  It was a twenty minute walk  along the Arno river from our hotel to the museum.  Here's a picture of the river.

The Uffizi is literally packed with great art, but so is all of Florence.  We chose the Uffizi especially because it houses the Birth of Venice by Botticelli.  In 1966 the Arno flooded and many works in the museum, on the banks of the river, were damaged. When this was reported in Reader's Digest with an illustration (!) of the Birth of Venus it was the barely pubescent Philip Jon Palin's sexual awakening. (Clicking on the pictures should open a larger version.)

Away from the maddening crowd of the tour groups - on a floor they do not visit - Jeannie and I found four fabulous Rembrandt's.  There are moments when one reality collides with another and we are better for it.  Two Rembrandt self-portraits, an old man, and a youth can do as much as several hours of therapy.

We only had two hours in the museum before it closed. Jeannie and I then strolled into the great square that holds the Michelangelo David.  Here's a picture of me next to Cellini's Perseus with the head of hydra.

We had supper on the piazza beside the Duomo and Baptistery.

Here was the view from our supper table.  Most Europeans don't eat until 8 or 9.  Jeannie and I have made it until 7 but don't last much longer.

Much, much more to tell, but we are in Rome now and tired.  Back in a five star hotel with free internet, so we will send more along tomorrow.