Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens

Again, with museums opening early we took full advantage and arrived at the Pitti Palace as it opened. The day was cooler and fresher today.

No pics allowed inside the palace and it was huge!  But outside and in the courtyard it was possible.

 There were various parts to the museum and after the first part visited we stopped for a drink to revive before going into Galleria Palatina.  It was incredible.  Room after room was staggeringly beautiful and the most amazing ceilings I have seen.  Not just paintings on the ceilings (although these would have been decoration enough) but sculptures as well.  After each room, it was impossible to imagine the next room could meet or better, the splendour of the current room..but.... and  I wish I could describe them better. (Some 'googled' pictures HERE)

Our next step (after a welcome drink) was to the attached Boboli Gardens  The garden was one of contrast.  On the one hand there was the typical Italianate formal garden and the rest was wooded and reasonably un-manicured.  But lovely to enjoy the quietness of the gardens for a while.

We saw lizards and heard many cicadas   And some small birds flitting and calling through a wooded area.  Neither of us had binoculars with us but Pete managed to get a zoomed shot... it was a Firecrest!! lifer for me.

Italian Wall Lizard (if anyone thinks otherwise?...)

and finally, the Grotto

So an enjoyable visit overall and another good morning.  Back to town and seeking food..

More street entertainers.. how do they manage to stand so still for so long!

We lunched again at the Il Bargello... which was OKish but, not as good as others perhaps.

The Santa Mari Novella (this is near the bus and train stations) - no pics inside were allowed.

We discussed where to eat.  We had decided to look for somewhere new tonight, but an orchestra was playing in the Piazza so on that basis we decided on the Il David again.  We sat at our table and... the orchestra packed up and left - hey ho... would have been nice.  I think it was a rehearsal for the main event later in the evening.

We had an obligatory iceream (one coffee and one mixed berry) and, after crossing the Ponte Vecchio, strolled along beside the river in the setting sun.

The golden reflection of the bridge..

and nearly back to the hotel.

Another good day but... tomorrow is our last and we're homeward bound..