Many years ago, I had been to Florence once. Afterwards, in the winter of 2013, I flew to Milan and decided to make a day trip to Florence again. The Florence I’d remembered from the first time was very short a trip, memories muddled like a dream that didn’t quite happen.
Come second time, like a second chance, I was to fall for this city dearly, taking in its streets thoroughly, scrutinize the elaborate details on the facade of the 4th largest cathedral in the world – Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, walk leisurely along the Ponte Vecchio bridge and admire its gleaming gold shops of today instead of the butchers of the past; see the Florence sunset in a different set of hues compared to my first’s. Florence is an old city, with its stories and history. You’re surrounded by intricate architectural creations, sculptures moulded like perfect versions of humans, artists/buskers who paint themselves to resemble sculptures. The occasional gypsy woman appears beside the tourist, a hand outstretched for money. Florence has the talented Renaissance artists long dead and alive, the artisans who work their skills today, the Florentines, and the curious tourists, intrigued.
Florence is a mystery, it flirts with your senses, and I can’t seem to elegantly articulate my actual feelings for it.
It was easy to spend a day in Florence, the sunset providing a wonderful finale for my day trip.
I love Florence, and will gladly take a train from Milan just to spend 12 hours in this city for a 2nd, 3rd time, anytime.
How about you? Is there a city that captivates you no matter how many times you’ve been?
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