After a rainy, but still enjoyable evening in Rome, Mrs MJ and I took a train to Florence this morning. We arrived just after 1pm, and took a taxi to our hotel, the Hotel Alessandra. I found this beautiful hotel via a comment from a blog reader, and all I can say is thank you! Cookie-cutter, it is not. Close to the things we want to see in Florence, it is. Housed in an old and beautiful building, we love it after only a day! I will be posting a full review of the hotel for you. In the meantime, we spent the day exploring nearby. The Duomo was beautiful, and aside from climbing 414 steps, the view from the Campanile di Giotto was awesome. Here are just a few pictures for you.
@Jane, it really is wonderful. Nice meeting you in Chicago as well! I’ll be posting more on my stay at the Alessandra and Florence in general.
So glad that you are enjoying The Alessandra. It is such a great location – we walked everywhere. We found the people that work their to be so helpful. Have them arrange for you a cooking lesson – we took it and loved the evening and what we learned.
Am back in VA now after the drive form MI and have begun PT here. IT was great getting to meet you in Chicago.