Slept in a bit, then up for a shower and went to the dining room to study. Was really motivated to study in the morning. This is by far the best time for me to study, right after sleeping. Kathi texted then we finished breakfast then headed out to Boboli gardens.
On the way, we stopped at the Franco Zeffirelli museum and bought tickets for a concert at 6pm. Then walked to Boboli. Got in line to buy garden tickets. Waited about 45 minutes, paid €20, then went into the gardens. Lots of paths and statues. Impressive grounds but not much in the way of botanicals. Still, a perfect, warm, sunny day to stroll in the gardens.
Kathi was getting super hungry, so we left at the South-East exit (Viale della Meridiana) and walked to restaurant Gustapanino where we had Crostino alla Fiorentina (chicken liver pate crostini), Chris had Rollè di Pollo Ripieno di Spinaci e Scamorza (Stuffed chicken rolls with spinach and scamorza cheese) and Kathi had Orecchiette con Pesto, Straciatella e Pomodori Secchi (Small ear shaped pasta with pesto, soft cheese and sun-dried tomatoes) and a side of Patate Arresto (Roasted potatoes). Food was really good, but slow to arrive. We ate leisurely then walked to the concert.
We got there early enough to get pretty good seats. The music
lasted about 1h20m 4 violens, a cello, and bass. After the first
song, they were very good. Walked back to the hotel, sat on the
terrace and drank water until the mosquitos chased us inside.
Palazzo Vecchio is surrounded by several things: Basilica di Santa Croce di Firenze, Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze, Tomba di Michelangelo Buonarroti, Tomba di Gioachino Rossini, and the Museo Pietro Parigi art museum along with an impressive display of superb sculptures
Franco Zeffirelli was a highly acclaimed Italian stage and film director, producer, production designer and politician. He directed The Taming of the Shrew (1967), starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton; Romeo and Juliet (1968), (Academy Award nomination for Best Director); and Hamlet (1990), starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close. His Biblical television miniseries Jesus of Nazareth (1977) is frequently shown at Christmas and Easter in many countries. He was the Senator for Catania for 8 years and received an honorary British knighthood. Zeffirelli was the first recipient of the Premio Colosseo for enhancing the image of the city of Rome.