After that we drove to Florence and stayed in a really great, randomly chosen hotel which was a quick walk into the center of town.

Florence is really nice, but its incredibly crowded. I think on ‘top of the usual tourist hordes its near the coast and they bus in cruise ship multitudes as well.

The Duomo is arguably one of the finest churches in the world. It’s made of layered pink, white and green marble, geometric patterns and statuary with a legendary dome on top. (Its very like many mosques, -minus the statues – but don’t tell them that.) Its heavy and oppressive and solid and has survived the Arno flooding all over it throughout history. The baptistery next door is also beautiful and has legendary bronze doors that I love.

We ate Bistecca Florentine – amazing. And loads of pasta. We had one exceptional meal – stuffed rabbit, sole, liver … all made by one multigenerational family, from the bread to the pasta. With a lovely Nana in an apron polishing glasses, and a couple of great-uncles on lap tops.

We spent a whole day at the Pitti Palace which was interesting and has lovely gardens. It also features in the Dan Brown book which must never be read.