During my strolls through Florence, I bask in the moments of beauty that I happen upon.
During my strolls through Florence, I bask in the moments of beauty that I happen upon.
The highlights of my days last month were when I was navigating the streets of Florence, catching a sunset, and perusing the Giardino Bardini. Time spent communing with my beloved city are always magical.
If I am ambling through a garden, watching a sunset, or running an errand, Florence never ceases to delight me with her beauty. Ordinary moments become extraordinary every time I revel in my surroundings.
In these anecdotes, I enjoyed taking a brisk walk in the Giardino delle Rose, basking in the cheery spirit of the Mercato del Porcellino, watching a sunset from Ponte Santa Trinita, and admiring the colors in the sky from Ponte alle Grazie.
Between bouts of rain and clear skies, I enjoyed strolling around Florence to experience her charm from every angle.
Whenever I am ambling around Florence, something catches my attention and I take the time to embrace it. Twice I spotted the Duomo from afar—in the Giardino Bardini and from the Viale Galileo. Two other times, I relished the full moon above the giostra in Piazza della Repubblica and hovering the Duomo.
As the summer turned to fall, I enjoyed many walks around Florence. Every time that Mother Nature communed with my beloved city to create a special moment, I snapped a photo. Sometimes it occurred while strolling along the river or just ambling through the streets or gardens.
As we slid into August, the days shortened, but the temperatures peaked. This month has been a mellow one, filled with quiet days and nights. Many shops, bars, and restaurants were closed as many locals gravitated to either the seaside or the mountains. Florence benefited from the summer holiday as well, experiencing less traffic. In these anecdotes, I relished my time with my beloved city. From a walk down a road, a pass through Piazza di San Giovanni, a hike up to Piazzale Michelangiolo, and a jaunt in the Giardino Bardini.
As summer slowly began, I visited the Giardino delle Rose, walked along the Arno, enjoyed a sunset, and hiked up to San Miniato al Monte. Each of these excursions offered me many delicious moments to experience. I snapped photos, took a video of the noon bells chiming, and soaked up my beloved city’s energy. Every time I returned home, I felt both peaceful and revitalized.
Over these past few weeks, I captured special moments that I reveled in while walking along the Arno, watching the sunset from Ponte Santa Trinita, strolling up Viale Poggi, and visiting Giardino Bardini.
April showers brought glicine (wisteria), roses, and irises to Florence’s gardens. Every spring, I am drawn to visit the gardens to enjoy the colors and scents that fill the air. After traipsing around the roses, I always felt rejuvenated.
Regardless of the shifts in the weather, I reveled in my beloved city every time I went outside. Florence presented me with snippets of beauty that spurred me to pause. Over a few weeks, I captured special moments while roaming around Giardino Bardini, strolling through Piazzale degli Uffizi, hiking up to Viale Michelangelo, and walking along Lungarno degli Archibusieri.
As winter was ending, I came across birds everywhere, especially when I walked along the Arno. Only in one of my pictures were the birds absent. As I was walking home late one night, I paused in Piazza San Giovanni. The air was cool and serene as I breathed in Santa Maria del Fiore before continuing on my path.
After the celebrations, the city seemed to be on a break. Shops were closed and streets were calm. I enjoyed my time strolling around Florence and basking in her energy. My many highlights include glimpsing the cupola above the holiday lights, spotting a crow perched on a lamppost, watching the sunset from Ponte Santa Trinita, and catching another one the next day along Ponte alle Grazie.
December was a month of sheer magic. From the slick sidewalks, along Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli to the quiet moment on Ponte Vecchio, the bright skies above Santo Spirito, the wintry sunset above the Arno, to the glistening holiday lights in Piazza Santa Trinita. As we say goodbye to 2023, may this new year bring us all much love and light in our hearts and our surroundings.