I could not avoid looking like a tourist, but I was determined not to get pickpocketed. In Italy, there are pickpockets at the train terminal (we’d been warned) so I wore my Kavu bag in the front and tried to be extra observant. Now don’t get me wrong, I never felt unsafe, but there’s no quicker way to ruin a vacation than to discover that your wallet’s been lifted.

The train ride from Rome Termini into Florence Santa Maria Novella Station took about an hour and a half. I enjoyed seeing bits of scenery outside the city. As soon as we got off the train, we found our hotel – Hotel Delle Nazioni.

By this point in our trip, I was sick with a sinus infection, sleep deprived and running on fumes. Used and disintegrating wads of toilet paper filled every pocket. Still, I pushed through. I finally broke down and got some medicine from a pharmacy that helped somewhat.   

Since our time in Florence was limited (a day and a half), I’ll share the highlights.

• Ponte Vecchio – We took a taxi to this medieval, stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno. Although I enjoyed peering through windows of the shops that are built into the sides of the bridge, the best part was the view of the river.  

• The Duomo – Although we didn’t go inside the cathedral, there was no way to miss it as it stands out for miles. Known as the jewel of the city, it’s located in the heart of the historic center. Its facade covered in white, pink and green marble and terracotta tile dome is truly breathtaking. 

• San Lorenzo Market – Ross really liked the outdoor part of the market with its maze of street vendors peddling leather goods. I’m not a haggler or leather fan so I preferred the indoor market home to all things food, known as Mercato Centrale. I bought Grandpa and Grandma some dried fruit and laughed at suggestive shaped pasta.

While we were in Florence, we met up with one of Nicole’s friends, Damiano for lunch reservations at Trattoria Zà Zà. The conversation was phenomenal, but I should have known better when he offered to order “a traditional Florentine meal” for the entire table. 

That three pound steak could have mooed it was so rare! Not to mention the European proportions for sides are tiny. With five of us, we literally got a tablespoon a piece of vegetables and the most liquidity “mashed potatoes” I’ve ever consumed. Let’s just say, I ordered for myself from there on out.  

Here’s a dose of honesty, Florence was not what I expected. If I had it to do-over, I would stay at a different hotel and schedule a few tours in advance (like the Galleria dell'Accademia and The Uffizi Gallery).

Oh, and go ahead, ask me how we spent our New Year’s in Florence. Ross and I packed up for our early morning train ride to Venice. Turned on the box fan app he’d downloaded and went to sleep. 

Standard reporter Lacy Garrison can be reached at 473-2191.