Recuperating from the travel day seems to be getting harder and harder so today got off to a slow start. Clark got coffee going for everyone and we all seemed to lounge around for a while. Margaret, Clark and I went back to the grocery store to get some paper product and ended up with more bread,cheese and meat. I bought the prosciutto from the deli counter and he just sliced me about 8 pieces and packed it up. Not sure if that was the usual amount but didn’t question it. The price was 26 euro per kilo so I knew it wouldn’t be too much. Turns out it wasn’t even 1 euro. Had I known that I would have asked for way more.

We did put out a little bread and cheese for breakfast snack but didn’t eat too much because our first stop of the day was an Italian panini. We headed out to the popular one that everyone talks about and is all over instagram. It was about 11:15 when we arrived and the line was already too long. We decided not to wait and went down the street a little ways to another option. Kelle and Jeff had eaten there before so we knew it was good. The sandwiches were delicious. The bread was crunchy but not hard, mine had a truffle spread which went well with the prosciutto and cheese. I am had we didn’t wait.

After the sandwiches we headed for gelato. We were in the Santa Croce area so my favorite from my solo trip was around the corner. It did not disappoint. The chocolate was fabulous. It was dark but not too dark and so creamy. I will definitely be back for another before we leave Florence.

There was a small little church we hopped into after we finished our gelato that was worth the quick view. the ceiling reminded me of the Tudor ceilings I see in England. It was built about the same time so I guess ideas and decorating plans crossed the seas.

From this church we headed to Santa Croce. It is not big enough to be overwhelming but has a few things that make it worth the entrance fee. Both Michelangelo and Dante are buried there. They claim to have a piece of the cross and Assisi’s robe. Also among their relics is Saint Umiliana. Most of her bones are there but her skull is somewhere else. Among their art they have a Donatello plaque monument and the glazed terra cottas in the chapel. The courtyard is very peaceful and we had beautiful weather while we were there which really showed it off to its best.

From the church we headed across the Arno to a wine shop. However we paused for a cocktail at a rooftop bar long the way. too windy to sit outside but the brow through the picture windows was still lovely.

We crossed the Arno by way of the Ponto Vechio chopping all the way. I bought a David charm but otherwise we did not invest in Italian gold.

Surprisingly or not the wine store also had some seats so we had another couple of bottles while Jeff pursued the store. By this time we were all a bit tipsy and ended up buying several additional bottles. One because it was a pretty pink color and some prosecco that was on sale. Margaret also got a bottle of limoncello so that we could make spritzes.

The long walk back to the place with the bottles was almost enough to do us in but we passed several restaurants so we knew we could get food without much effort. We ended up picking the closest option and it was delicious and the waiter was very fun so we had a great time. Everyone loved their selection and we passed around so most of us tried others and were happy enough to do it again if we needed to.

A good day that ended with more wine and stories at the apartment.