Streetlife

Like many of my favourite cities I feel Florence is best explored on foot. That way we have time to fully take in it's secrets, to stand and stare at what is around us - and most importantly - to look up. Firenze's narrow streets lend themselves, inviting the eye to rise up from street level, past the wrought ironwork of old street lanterns, past the serene blue Pietra Serena stone of windows, steps and facades, to the wooden shutters, eaves and terracotta tiles of sun-drenched rooftops. Of course our gaze may be understandably held a little while by the odd gorgeous racing-green cinquecento (and why not). It is really only once we are off our bicycles, dismounted from horse drawn carriages and out from behind the wheels of our cars that we can really see and fully appreciate all that this city has to offer.