Primo Giorno a Firenze

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After the thick fog of yesterday it was great to wake to blue skies which just got bluer as the day progressed. It was a late start due to someone (me) sleeping late as a consequence of being “poorly” in the night. Had a simple breakfast in our beautiful breakfast room with great views.
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Decided on a gentle day of refamiliarising ourselves with the centre of the city. So an amble through to the Mercato Di San Lorenzo (Marcato Centrale). Planned on just having a good browse today. But the best laid plans etc. I now have a great leather jacket, so light and soft and not at all like the biker jacket one tried to sell me!
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The food market was amazing! 
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A wander through some back streets brought us to Santa Maria Novella. Building began around 1360 and it took about 90 years to complete. Have visited before and will probably return. Then round the corner to the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. It was founded by Dominican friars soon after their arrival in Florence in 1221. Beautiful interiors with smells to match. It’s on the Via della Scala, same as two hotels we’ve stayed in before. Found our way to Giorgio’s which is a great little restaurant where you get two courses and a carafe of vino for 13 euros. But we won’t be eating there this time as he’s closed until 3 January.
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Then onwards to find some lunch which was had in a cafe by the Arno. For me a light lunch of bruschetta, tomato and basil. Loving the old buildings and Alletways. On many corners there are beautiful religious paintings or statues. One I saw dates to sometime in the 15th century. 
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But today’s star performer was the Arno. Not a ripple.

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