We said our goodbyes to Venice at 10.45am after a leisurely breakfast and coffee and a final walk around Rialto Bridge, and caught a water taxi to Venezia S.Lucia, the train station.

A power failure in Milan meant some trains were delayed up to 90 minutes, but ours was only 5 minutes late due to an unrelated delay. It was a bit stressful because while we were there in plenty of time, the platform number was only advertised ten minutes before we had to board, but the two hour trip went smoothly.

Once at Florence’s train station, we google mapped our way to the right bus and caught it to our accommodation. As we approach each new place on public transport, it is in the back of my mind and worrying to work out how we are going to get all 11 (or 14) people and their suitcases off quickly and efficiently before the doors close and they are stuck going to the next incorrect destination. I heard Ross mention the next stop was ours on the bus today and got myself and my suitcase off promptly so as not to hold anyone up, only to turn around and find that Ross had followed me off so I wouldn’t be stuck alone, but everyone else continued on to the actual next stop. And to think I was so proud of myself for being so agile! 😂

The correct stop was only around the corner so we caught up with the others as they were entering the apartment that Abi found for us here. It is facing the Arno River with beautiful views from our fourth floor apartment. While we have had some nice hotel rooms, it is lovely to be back all together in an apartment and able to share living space.

Beck and I made good use of the washing machine and dryer while the others settled in, and Ross, Luke, Abi and Tom went in search of a supermarket and found one directly across the road.

Ross, Luke and Tom then went in search of a restaurant for dinner, booked us into one for 7pm and celebrated with a beer at the Scottish pub a few doors down from us. Dinner at Trattoria da Benvenuto was a success, and we then went in search of gelato for dessert.

We found one that had excellent reviews, but while it came close, I don’t think it quite matched everyone’s favourite gelato in Venice. It was only a few degrees outside when we left the restaurant so I opted for a hot chocolate instead, but the gelato place’s version of a hot chocolate was to give me a cup of hot fudge sauce 😩

The area we are staying in seems very good and pretty lit up at night. It is very near the Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi Galleries. As I write this at 11pm though, I can hear some chatter on the street and several fast cars race by, so it may be pretty but not a quiet area!