Sunset over River Arno

We met Tom and Barbara at the Ponte Vecchio - the only bridge in Florence saved from destruction from the retreating Germans during the occupation.  We wandered the bridge and shops along both sides of the Arno River. Had a great lunch at a spot recommended by our T-shirt vendor.... pasta and wine at Quattro Leiones,  Italian style.  

Tom and Barbara headed on after lunch and the Vances 4 checked out the Piazza della Signoria with the many statues, Perseus beheading Medusa, replica of David, and the Rape of the Sabine Women (right off of the book cover, Monster of Florence which I am currently reading) to name a few.

We headed into the Boboli Gardens which according to Lonely Planet should have been free but wasn't and our american attitude was not received well... we paid and entered.  Had a couple to 3 hours of rest laying on the grass and walking the gardens.  I don't know the exact temperature but it was a hot day and the sun was incredibly strong.  Whenever possible we kept to the shade of buildings and trees.
As it was starting to cool down we made our way back to the river, stopping in a grocery for picnic supplies and headed to the Piazzele Michelangelo to watch the sunset.  An invitation was extended to the rest of the group but not accepted.  

Although the spot was not the best for a picnic (we sat on a park bench with little view) we had a great meal of salami, sundried tomatoes, cheese, roasted potatoes and chianti. 


Afterward we positioned ourselves for a better view with the rest of the sun worshipers to watch an incredible sunset over Florence, right above the Arno River.