Saturday, 7 September 2019 – From Rapallo to Florence: Drones, Trains and T-Bones

We kicked off the morning in Rapallo with a breakfast that could’ve doubled as a bakery tour—fresh focaccia, charcuterie, pastries, and the kind of bread table that makes you rethink your life priorities. Fuelled and carb-loaded, I sent the drone up for one last look at the bay. The early morning light over Rapallo was magic—soft shadows, calm water, and pastel buildings lining the shore like they’d been painted for a movie set. It was the perfect farewell.

Our journey to Florence involved two short but scenic train rides. First leg: from La Spezia to Pisa Centrale, where we said hello to the Leaning Tower (from a safe, seated distance). Then a quick connection on to Florence, arriving mid-afternoon and stepping out into a city that feels like an open-air museum.

Our accommodation, Novella Balcony, is just a stone’s throw from the station and an easy stroll to the heart of town. We settled in and soon found ourselves exploring familiar streets—Florence, we meet again.

Dinner that evening was shared with Carwol (Ros’s sister) and Mick Mick (her husband and Ros’s brother-in-law) at a restaurant in Piazza della Signoria, overlooking the grand Palazzo Vecchio. As we were enjoying our meal, a lantern parade passed through the square to mark the eve of the Virgin Mary's birth—a bit of unexpected pageantry with our Florentine steak. Speaking of which: 700 grams of Tuscan t-bone, grilled just right. Worth every bite.

We wrapped up the night with a wander past the Duomo, the kind of moment that makes you pause—not just for photos, but to remind yourself you’re really here.