Still Going With the Flo'

Visiting Florence with kids?  Definitely take a time out in Piazza della Repubblica, which has been considered the center of Florence since Roman times. There's an old-fashioned carousel, old-school street performers (i.e. not gigantic Disney characters or the amazing metallic statue guy), and lots of outdoor cafés.

This street performer plucked RS from the crowd, and my little guy hung in there for almost forty-five minutes. He said he was feeling shy at first, but then was fine when he saw how funny it all was. He made us proud (for just being his regular funny, genuine self), and he made this street performer a lot of extra tips because RS had the crowd in stitches.

Oh, sweet, sweet boy.

Fine and fine. Fine means finished in Italian.

 In 1883, Italian author and Florentine resident, Carlo Collodi, wrote The Adventures of Pinocchio.

Ahem. Lots of Pinocchio souvenirs available.

Only in Italy--a mozzarella bar.  Yum.

The ever-iconic Ponte Vecchio and Arno River.

Okay, more food porn--ravioli in pear sauce with broccoli.  Double yum.

A carriage ride to the Piazza della Signoria and The Uffizi:

Here's the scoop.  The Uffizi is a world-class museum, but it's a challenge to enjoy because of the layout and the crowds. My kids are pretty engaged with this sort of excursion, but this tested their patience. My advice, let the kids go on their own when they study abroad as college students.

The boy's in love with one fine Italian car, the Ferrari.

Santa Croce.  Lots of famous people buried here, from Michelangelo to Da Vinci.

Here we are at the leather and wool market.

They say if you rub the pig that you will return to Florence one day. I hope we do.