An Afternoon in Firenze

After my haircut last week in Strada in Chianti, I was helfway to Florence. I planned to pick up my friend Dorn at Amerigo Vespucci Airport there in a few days and thought it was a good opportunity to check out the airport’s short term parking situation.

When I did eventually get to the airport (too many missed exits and wrong turns that stretched the 45 minute drive into an embarassing 90 minutes) I was delighted to find it rather small and very manageable, with easy parking.

I was so close to Florence and needed a pit stop and some lunch. The Altrarno was calling me. It’s the “other side” of the Arno - the cool part of Florence. I found a perfect parking spot near the Porta San Frediano with an inviting restaurant, Rione, near by. The pizze looked delicious. They also had an extensive selection of artisinal beers.

I opted for an iced coffee and strayed from my usual margarita pizza. I ordered the Affumicata- mozzerella, bacon, carmelized onion, smoked scamorza cheese, capers , basil and EVO. Yum..and enough for two plus meals!

I had to save room for a gelato! It was a perfect afternoon for a stroll along the river to the Santa Trinita Bridge. There on the corner at the foot of the bridge is my current very favorite spot for gelato- La Carraia! I was happy to join the others, both tourists and locals, waiting in the line that trailed along the side of the building. It gave me time to decide what flavors I’d try this time. The cioccolato fondente and caramello salato did not disappoint! Two scoops for E3! Gelato is still a bargain!