Although I’d love to do that. See Florence and the Machine in Florence. That would have been poetic. But Florence the city is really quite impressive by itself. I went because enough friends and more importantly enough Italian friends or friends with Italian connections (no not THOSE kinds of connections – it’s not The Sopranos 24/7 in Italy despite what television might have you believe) told me with such unequivocal expression that Florence is the prettiest city in Italy. I can’t say because I haven’t been to every city in Italy (yet) but I can say it is as pretty as Venice and in places even prettier.

So here have some Florence pictures as I was fortunate enough to be able to spend several hours in this beautiful place.

For Tim’s benefit. I believe we should have these much more stylish street lights in our street Tim!

This was a pretty special looking church facade I must say. But apparently we hadn’t seen anything yet.

Neptune was a bit of a grumpy bastard apparently.

Horses are cool – even in stone.

Proof – Simone was here.

This wild pig statue is supposed to bring you good fortune if you rubbed his snout. Seeing all the fingers all over that snout I gave it a miss, my fortune is good enough I reckon.

I have  thing for ornate archways apparently.

That church face I thought was cool before?…well…

This was bigger and better and just WOW. But the broke the budget on the front because trust me the inside? Well let’s just say the contrast is really very vivid.

The sun was very obliging this day. Made me feel right like some artsy photographer it did. I couldn’t help myself really and I loved this architecture.

The ceiling in the dome thing was pretty spectacular as well. I’m thinking this is when chiropractic first started though. The back and neck pain for the artists would have been horrendous.

The door was amazing, the panels all wrought in gold and tells some story – something to do with Jesus I think and a few other notables from that era.

The view from the auspiciously named Viewing Point at the end of the tour was pretty damn special I must say.

Even the graffiti has class and beauty.

And to finish here is fake David at the Viewing Point.

But here is real David taken in the Florence Museum of Art taken super Ninja style by my phone since there was no photos allowed. I’m such a rebel.

And here endeth the post on Florence. She’s a beautiful place you all have got to visit some day. Make it happen people!