December 24, 2013 – Florence

Happy Christmas Eve! Usually on Christmas Eve we have a family gathering with lots of hors d’oeuvres and the grandkids, their parents and us exchanging gifts. Since we are not at home and Jon and his family are not with us, our Christmas Eve is the same but different.

John and I decide to opt out of sightseeing today. The pace has been pretty intense since we got to Italy and we figure two days in a row of down time will help for the final push through Rome. Sarah, though, has other ideas. And that’s fine.

She starts her day with a hike up Giotto’s Campanile. The views of Florence are wonderful there.

View of the Duomo from the Campanile
View of the Duomo from the Campanile

View of the Baptistry from the Campanile
View of the Baptistry from the Campanile

This is followed up with a trip to San Marco where Fra Angelico did his fresco work. No pictures allowed.

After lunch she has a trip to the Baptistry and another hike up into the dome of the cathedral. In comparison, John did a little shopping and we read books.

View of the Campanile from the top of the Duomo
View of the Campanile from the top of the Duomo

Ceiling of the Baptistry
Ceiling of the Baptistry

Late in the afternoon, Sarah and I go to the leather market and end our day on the Piazza della Republica having a cup of tea. Very civilized.
Afternoon tea
Afternoon tea

We fix our munchies and have a lovely Christmas Eve toasting and reminiscing about our trip.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE! (munchies include crostini de fegato, pizza sticks, biscotti, and salami and cheese mini-sandwiches)
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE! (munchies include crostini de fegato, pizza sticks, biscotti, and salami and cheese mini-sandwiches)

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