Thinking of renovating? Shouldn’t you really see Italy first?
Mind you, renovating in Italy is just about the pinnacle of my list of the things I’d most like to do at some time in my life. But I think you know what I mean….
Florence from the roof of the Duomo
The Campanile di Giotto
San Lorenzo and the Mercato Centrale
Via dei Servi
Palazzo Vecchio
Santa Croce
Santa Maria Novella
Why not climb to the top of the Duomo, anche tu?
Address Piazza Duomo – in the very centre of Florence.
Entrance Tickets to visit the cupola of Santa Maria del Fiore (no lift access!) cost 8 euro.
Janine, Renovating? First one has to own a property.LOL. Me, I prefer to keep all my money (the little I can accumulate) for travel back to Italy. I drive an old Suburu, buy discount clothing and shoes, save, save, save…Basically, I work for Italy – but I am rich in the things that matter to me. I agree, SEE ITALY!!!! Hugs. toni
I am getting the feeling we might be able to swap lives/minds/hearts one day soon and no one would know the difference. Least of all noi due….! True love, especially where Italy is involved, never runs smooth, Toni. But you know that. Still as lovers go some are worth more trouble than others….no? Jxxx
I have climbed the campanile, but not to the top of the Duomo…next trip, it will be too hot and crowded soon. Our house is not finished so I am staying for another month to work on it. What a pity you are not here to help me decorate it.
The view of the cupola must be incredible from the campanile. I really must follow your lead when I’m back in Florence in cooler weather.
I’m glad you’re staying on a bit longer too Debra. I would have been absolutely thrilled to give you a hand with the decoration. So sweet of you to say. Jx
wow! How’d you get rooftop pics? i’ve never been to italy (yet) so is that something that is open to the public? … i have to admit too, every time i see pictures of florence, i can’t help but think about Assassins Creed the video game…
Well Justin, there are 463 steps involved – but it’s well worth the climb!! Florence is an incredible place. If I could only see one city in Italy Florence would be it. I hope you get to see it one day very soon…
Ohh I loved this climb, walk and life experience. it is so marvellous and unforgettable. Thanks for sharing your photos. Carla
Thank you Carla. I remember of course your fairytale of the morning you first scaled the Duomo with your very own prince! It is a wonderful experience to share with a special someone.
Those shots made me giddy, Janine! Do you mean you meet folks whose goal is to renovate a house in a country they’ve never seen? A word from someone who’s been there: think long and hard about if you can stomach lots of bureaucracy & delays, then go ahead and do it, and when you run into the inevitable wall, remind yourself that lots of people would love to be in your shoes.
Well Jann, I have seen TV shows about that sort of people…. But no, what I meant was that experiencing Italy should take precedence over spending money on renovating
In my rose-coloured opinion of course 
It sounds like Italy has put you through the renovation mill! I really appreciate your comments and your philosophy….You tend to hear that same story with alarming frequency don’t you? I really hope all the passion that inspired you to take on the project in the first place is still there to console you when you need it most.;-) Jxx
Wow. I think you just saved me a climb.
That’s my pleasure, Ken. But if you can, one day, it’s well worth the climb… Still Florence is beautiful from just about about every angle!
Janine,stunning photographs…can’t wait. I’ll be there soon to take an Italian class!
How fabulous Susie! Thank you!! Will this be your first trip? You’ll adore Florence. It’s a wonderful city – all the more so with the language under your belt… Lovely to see you here too.
I loved the roof views in Firenze, both of and from the rooftops. Heavenly. Ever since, I have wanted a little balcony or rooftop garden, and preferably with red tiles. But, looking at your photos, I am struck by how it looks like such a city, such a large city, whereas walking along on the narrow stone streets with gelato cones reaching out to me and tiny doors beckoning, it felt so intimate. If one can be hugged by a city, I think I was. ~ Lily
Lily, grazie, I love your description of being hugged by a city… Florence is the perfect scale I think. It feels like an important city but never overwhelms. It’s hard not to covet those tiny mansard apartments with a little terrace and beautifully tended plants… I always stop and imagine the life going on inside. The view from the duomo is stunning and Florence is a vast treasure but there’s nothing as beautiful as exploring street by street. Janine xx
When you renovate in Italy you get more excuses to go there!
That sounds like the ideal Shelagh. I would love love love a project of my own there one day. Good for you!!