The train ride into Florence is as beautiful as the city, with all of its artwork, itself. The hillsides are lush with scenery. At this point I don't ever think I could tire of traveling Europe (though, perhaps I could not keep up this pace.)
From the train station we headed towards the center of town. Our Europe for Dummies book has come in very hand for locating hotels, and this time it did not let us down. The Hotel Bellettini is a quaint little building, inexpensive and near many tourist attractions.
After dropping off our bags, we went out wandering. Not two blocks from our hotel we were greeted by the grand site of the duomo. Also, the campanile beside it is a tower to match Berkeley's.
Wandering further, we came to the Uffizi (closed at the late hour.) We looked in this area for a meal, but all "trattorias" were closed. A good thing they were closed too, because our eventual eating stop was heaven.
Paoli's is one of the best, if not the best, restaurant I have ever eaten at. If you ever go there, have the minestroni. As Julien says, "You will die." It was sooooo good. And the steak left me forgetting the pleasures of just a second before. Derek and I agree that if the next place we eat at is this good, we can never leave Florence.
Finally, we treated ourself to a little internet access. Ahhh... Florence... you have
it all.
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