We had not visited the Uffiitzi before and had added it to our bucket list- that is, until we realised that we were to visit the museum on this trip.
We set off on good time, but a long traffic queue caused by an accident made us late. Our driver, Christoph, left the queue, but then got lost. John helped out with the navigation and the delay could have been much worse.
We were met at the bus drop off spot by a guide and walked to the museum. It has become apparent on this holiday, that the distances we were covering each day (8km was the minimum) are too much for some people as the gap between the front of the group and the end gets longer.
Our guide explained that we were to start at the top of the gallery and descend. There was a lift available for those who wanted it. She (and we) walked up the 100 or so stairs accompanied by at least four over 80s.
At the top, we were in the gallery of the house of the Medici family. The gallery was once open air, but has long been covered in. There are many paintings and sculptures of the Medici family.
The ceiling and a detail with Medici portraits

Views from the gallery

There was far too much for us to really appreciate the riches of the gallery in the time available. The art is grouped into rooms,; we saw 6 of many. We came away convinced that it really does need a guide to get the most out of the museum, as we did in the Prado in Madrid.
A small selection of the tresures that we saw.

Our next stop was lunch. Meals are always a highlight of the day we all sit down and talk to our friends and make new friends.
Afterwards, we had free time. We already had a ticket for The highlights of Florence from our visit to the cathedral and we planned to climb the campanile with its 440 steps. This turned out to be more of a challenge than anticipated and Pat was happy to have stopping points at different levels. Unlike the leaning tower in Pisa, there is no control on the stairs (traffic lights). Lower down, the steps are wide enough to pass a person standing at the side (but not both moving). Closer to the top, it should be one way at a time but isn't. At times and on corners, the moving person may be best on all fours!
Views on the way up and from the top


Having negotiated our way down, it was time for a cup of tea. Our next stop was the museum of the cathedral. It had been recommended to us, but we had not appreciated just how good it would be.
Over the centuries, the Duomo has been remodelled several times and magnificent sculptures no longer required were consigned to the archives. Now they are available here. The museum seems to have been opened recently and was certainly worth a visit.
Doors of the Baptestry

Madonna of the nativity, Angel lifting a curtain c. 1300 and

Pisano carvings: agriculture, navigation, the art of paining, prudence.

Silver altar from the 14c depicting the life of John the Baptist.

We were so impressed that we bought the guide!
- Pat and John on tour